FAQ
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Is my therapist going to judge me?
Whether you’ve got an embarrassing addiction or you’re having an affair, your therapist isn’t going to deem you a bad person. Don’t worry. No matter how bad you think your story is, I’ve heard it all before.
My job is to help you come to your own conclusions about what’s best for you. I will not condemn you for your mistakes or shame you for your past.
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Do I have to talk about my childhood?
No. You don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want to. If you’re uncomfortable with certain subjects or you don’t want to answer some of the questions asked, you aren’t under any obligation to speak.
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Is online therapy an option?
Yes! in fact, I started doing online therapy long before the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time I only provide teletherapy sessions.
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How many sessions will I need?
This varies depending on the client! I provide a free 15 minute consultation and we can explore what might be appropriate for you. I utilize many empirically based practices such as CBT and like to work collaboratively and efficiently with my clients.
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What actually happens during therapy?
I’ll ask you about your day to day life, emotions, or way of thinking. Likely some questions about the past.
You’ll learn specific skills like anger management strategies, communication/conflict resolution, or anxiety reduction skills. Your treatment depends on your goals.
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How do I know if I need therapy?
There are many reasons to see a therapist. Anything from difficulty concentrating, trouble sleeping, high-stress levels, relationship difficulties, family planning trouble, parenting issues, depression, high anxiety, and trauma are just some of the reasons people commonly seek help.
Notice: You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
• Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
• If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
• Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 800-985-3059.
Beginning January 1, 2022, federal laws regulating client care have been updated to include the “No Surprises” Act. Under the law, healthcare providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services called a “Good Faith Estimate” (GFE) explaining how much your medical care will cost.
This new regulation is designed to provide transparency to patients regarding their expected medical expenses and to protect them from surprises when they receive their medical bills. It allows patients to understand how much their health care will cost before they receive services.
There are a number of factors that make It challenging to provide an estimate on how long it will take for a client to complete therapeutic treatment, and much depends on the individual client and their goals in seeking therapy. Some clients are satisfied with a reduction in symptoms while others continue longer because it feels beneficial to do so. Others begin to schedule less frequently, and may continue to come in for “tune ups” or when issues arise. Ultimately, as the client, it is your decision when to stop therapy.
You and your therapist will continually assess the appropriate frequency of therapy and will work together to determine when you have met your goals and are ready for discharge and/or a new "Good Faith Estimate" will be issued should your frequency or needs change.
According to the American Psychological Association, “on average 15 to 20 sessions are required for 50 percent of patients to recover as indicated by self-reported symptom measures”. Additionally, they state that through the working relationship between the client and counselor sometimes the preference is for “longer periods (e.g., 20 to 30 sessions over six months), to achieve more complete symptom remission and to feel confident in the skills needed to maintain treatment gains”.