FAQ
I’m nervous about starting therapy. What if I don’t want to talk about something? What if you think I’m crazy?
Telling your deepest, darkest secrets to a stranger and potentially crying in their face can feel a little weird and a lot vulnerable, so it’s normal to be nervous. It’s important to us to “build rapport,” which is fancy therapy talk for establishing trust and connection by being a caring human instead of a cold, unfeeling robot. We’ll never pressure you to talk about anything that feels like too much and we’ll do our best to make our sessions as comfortable as possible (although talking about traumatic/upsetting life experiences can be tough). Therapy is a safe, judgment-free space. You can cry, cuss, get angry, and fully be yourself. We won’t think you’re crazy or weird or “too much.” Whatever you’re going through, therapy is where you can feel truly understood and supported.
What can I expect during the first session?
We’ll start by going over a few administrative details and letting you ask any questions you have. Then we’ll get into what brought you to therapy. We’ll ask you a bunch of questions, but you can skip any that you don’t want to answer and you can feel free to ask questions you have as we talk. The goal in the first session is to start getting to know you and what you’re struggling with. At the end of the first session, we’ll provide you with resources if needed and, if it feels like we’re a good fit, we’ll talk about when to meet again.
What can I expect from ongoing therapy sessions?
You can expect to feel truly seen, heard, and understood. You can expect to feel respected, no matter what your thoughts or beliefs are. You can expect to be offered opinions or suggestions at times, although we won’t tell you what to do. We don’t have all the answers, but we will listen carefully and ask thoughtful questions. Your answers to those questions will shape the direction therapy will take.
Is online counseling right for me?
It’s not right for everyone, but people tend to appreciate the convenience and ease of it. Doing therapy from your home or other familiar space rather than a new, unknown space can make it more comfrotable. Online counseling works best for people who have a private space, are comfortable using technology, and are not in crisis.
How do I know you’re the right therapist for me?
Clients who are drawn to our practice typically say we’re down-to-earth, supportive, and understanding. We each have different approaches though, and there’s no one approach that works for everyone. So read through the about us pages and see what you think. If you get the sense that one of us could be a good fit, book a session.
What theoretical approach do you use?
As mentioned above, we each have different approaches. Some of us use Internal Family Systems (IFS), some do EMDR therapy, some do somatic work or existential work or psychodynamic work, plus a whole alphabet of other approaches (CBT, DBT, ACT, SFBT, etc.). You can learn more about each of our approaches on our about pages. If there’s one in particular you’re looking for, let us know and we’ll get you connected to the right person.
No matter what approach we use, we respect that you are the expert on your life. We are not enlightened beings who know what path your life “should” take. Our job is to create the space and conditions that promote your instinctual tendency toward growth and fulfillment. We’ll help you explore what that looks like for you and how to move past your current patterns and obstacles in order to reach your goals.
How long do appointments last?
Our appointments are 55 mintues. If you feel that you would need shorter or longer sessions, let’s talk.
How often will we meet?
Most people start out with weekly sessions, then gradually decrease to biweekly and then monthly sessions as they begin feeling more calm/stable and start meeting their goals for therapy. We’re always open to discussions about increasing/decreasing session frequency.
Where will we meet? Do you have an office?
We are telehealth only, meaning we don’t have an office and therefore don’t offer in-person sessions. You’ll receive a link to the private, confidential online meeting platform we use before your first session.
How much do you charge and do you take insurance?
Head on over to the fees and insurance page for all the details on that.
What is your cancellation policy?
We require 24-hours notice of cancellation or you will be charged the full session fee. Exceptions may be made in the case of emergency or illness. This hardass policy was created for three reasons: 1. Other clients may be waiting for a spot to open up, and late cancellations/no-shows mean they lose out on that spot. 2. Insurance does not pay for missed sessions. 3. We got bills to pay and we can’t keep providing therapy if we’re homeless.
How can I get started?
You can book a session online or reach out if you have questions. Please double check that you’ve entered your contact info correctly. We’ve had a few emails bounce back and we want to make sure everyone gets an answer when they reach out.