What is therapy like? Because each person has different issues and goals, therapy will be different depending on the individual, couple or family. In general, you can expect to discuss your personal history, the current events in your life relevant to your issue, and report progress or any new insights gained, from the previous therapy session. Therapy is an invitation to begin a process of looking inward as well as outward. An opportunity to explore deeper thoughts and feelings and unpack the meaning they may hold.
Therapy is a collaborative process and together we will develop treatment goals which will serve as the focus of our work together. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in sessions, I may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process - such as reading a pertinent book, journaling, tracking thoughts or behaviors or taking specific action on your goals.
It is my goal for clients to come out of the therapeutic relationship with a deep knowledge of themselves and what they really want so that they are best prepared to move forward and to make choices that align with their deepest nature.
How Therapy Can Help? Therapy can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, and stress management.
Counseling can be a resource in navigating life transitions, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the challenges of daily life.
Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits include:
Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
Developing skills for improving your relationships
Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
Improving communications and listening skills
Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
What about medication vs. psychotherapy? It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the underlying cause of our distress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you, and in some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.
How does a person pick a good therapist? Research shows that the most important factor for therapy to be beneficial is the relationship between the therapist and the client. This means that you should pay attention to whether you feel like your therapist understands you and if you feel comfortable with him or her. If you meet with a therapist and you don’t feel like you could open up to that person, trust that feeling and try someone else.
How long will I need to go to therapy? This depends on the person and what he or she is wanting from therapy. Some people are dealing with a pressing issue, like anxiety or a life decisions, and find relief in 6-8 sessions. Other clients want support addressing deeper issues that requires longer-term work. Sometimes people take a break and come back when they feel like they need it again.
My average length of treatment in my practice is about 20 sessions. That being said I have clients who only come in one time and many who stay with me for a few years. I believe the wide variance of length is primarily correlated to motivation level, presenting problem and therapist-client connection. I am happy to talk with you about what you are hoping for with treatment length and if that would work within my scope of clinical practice.
What is your fee? Fees are $225 for individual therapy, or $250 for couples or family sessions. Sessions are typically 50 minutes. Fees may be prorated for longer sessions. Cash, check, Venmo and all major credit cards ($5 service fee added) are accepted for payment. Please note we are out-of-network providers.
Do you take insurance? We are "out-of-network providers" which simply means you pay us directly. We can provide you with a receipt known as a "super bill" which includes all the information you will need to submit to your insurance for reimbursement. We suggest you check with your insurance provider to ask if they would reimburse you with a super bill.
Good Faith Estimate/No Surprises Act Under the law, health care providers need to give clients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.
You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service, or at any time during treatment. 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, or how to dispute a bill, see your Estimate, or visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.Client Portal: New clients may sign up for my client portal which allows you to complete intake forms and pay on line. If you prefer to not use the portal I am happy to send out paper work and / bills.
Cancellation Policy If you are unable to attend a session, please make sure you cancel at least 48 hours beforehand. Otherwise, you may be charged for session fee.
Do you offer a complimentary consultation? Yes! I offer a free 20 minute consultation to see if we are a good fit.
What’s the best way to set up an appointment? Email my Intake Coordinator at my group practice, Empathy Works Therapy, at Hello@EmpathyWorksTherapy@gmail.com or call (707) 232-5124. We will get back to you within 24 hours.