Is therapy for me?

Seeking therapy is an individual choice, or one made within the family or couple seeking help.  There are many reasons why people come to therapy.  Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems relating to anxiety or depression.  Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one's life such as divorce, job change, or death of a loved one.  Many also seek therapy with the overarching goal of personal exploration and growth.

Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and greater understanding of all types of life challenges.  Therapy can be helpful when addressing stress management, body-image issues, anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, past trauma, and addictions.  Therapy is right for anyone interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.



Do I really need therapy?  I like to handle my problems myself.

Everyone goes through periods of time that are challenging to manage and while you may have successfully navigated through difficulties in the past, there is nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it.  In fact, it is typically strongest individuals who enter into therapy because they are willing to sit with the discomfort of facing their problems head on.  You are taking responsibility by accepting where you are in life and making a committment to change the situation by seeking help. Therapy can provide long-lasting benefits and give you the tools you need to avoid triggers and falling back into old, unhealthy behavior patterns.

What is therapy like?  What can I expect in a therapy session?
Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. 

You might be thinking of coming to see me for any number of reasons.  I want you to know that every part of you is welcome in my practice.  I also want to enter into this relationship with you having a clear idea of what you can expect from me and what will be expected of you.  You can expect me to work to earn your trust--you shouldn't feel any obligation to trust me from the start.  You can expect me to challenge you and to respect your limits when a boundary is communicated to me.  As a somatically trained therapist, I will ask you to reflect on your present moment inner experience every session.  Sometimes this will be comfortable and even pleasurable, but other times it will be uncomfortable and painful.  I will work very hard to ensure that it is never intolerable.   On my end, I expect you to show up.  That's the most important part.  Beyond that, the therapeutic relationship we develop will be the most beneficial to you if you are

• ...willing to feel some discomfort and tell me about that experience.
• ...willing to do something brave each session.
• ...open to trying new ways of being and doing.

What benefits can I expect from working with a therapist?
A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. Oftentimes the therapeutic relationship, which is built around the idea of unconditional acceptance and trust, is the most helpful part of the process.  Others find it helpful just to know that someone understands. Therapy can also provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution.  To a certain extent, the benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. 

Past clients reported that after therapy with me, they: 

-Attainined a better understanding of themselves, their goals, and their values

-Had improved self-esteem and experienced greater agency in their lives

-Developed skills for improving their relationships

-Attracted healthier friends and romantic partners

-Were able to find their own resolution to the issues or concerns that brought them to therapy

-Experienced a decrease in depression and anxiety

-Processed childhood trauma and no longer experienced the same triggers

-Improving communication and listening skills

-Changing old behavior patterns

-Discovered new ways to solve problems in their family and/or marriage

Will my treatment be confidential?

The law requires that your treatment be confidential and kept private.  It protects all communication between a therapist and a client and prohibits information from being released without prior written consent given by the client.  

However, there are some specific exceptions wherein the therapist is required by law to divulge private information.  These exceptions include:

-Suspected child-abuse, dependent adult abuse, or elder abuse.  The therapist is required to report this to the authorities immediately. 

-If a client threatens serious bodily harm to another person and/or property.  In this instance the therapist is required to notify the police.

-If a client intends to threaten his or her life.  The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure both their safety and their privacy.  However, if an individual is unable or unwilling to keep themselves safe, additional measures need to be taken.

Is medication a substitute for therapy?

No.  In some cases, medication combined with psychotherapy will be the best, most effective course of action.  Working with your medical doctor or psychiatrist we can determine what is best for you.  It is well established by research that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved by medication alone.  Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the underlying cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb progress.  You can best achieve sustained progress with an integrative approach.

Do you accept insurance?
I am not currently contracted with insurance carriers.  Though, I do not bill insurance directly in my practice, many PPO plans cover some or all fees from "out of network providers."  If this is true of your plan, I will gladly provide you with invoices so that you can pursue reimbursement from your insurance carrier.