“I’m new to therapy, what can I expect?”
It can be intimidating seeking support for the first time. We can talk over the phone for an initial consultation to make sure we are a good fit first; we will talk about what brings you to therapy, what to expect with payments, and address any other questions you may have. If we feel we will work well together, we will schedule an initial intake appointment - this is a one hour session where I will get to know you better, help establish treatment goals, and explain any potential mental health diagnoses you may have. From there, we will meet for regular sessions at a frequency that matches your needs (usually weekly at first to get some momentum building) for however long you need!
“Do you have any specific therapy styles I should know about?”
I’m all about variety when it comes to approaching different people! I tend to utilize DBT and CBT modalities most (you can read more about that on the Services page), though there may be a time and a place where other approaches may be more helpful. I’m a big fan of accountability between sessions - this can be in the form of assigning informal “therapy homework” to practice the coping skills we talk about, providing resources/books or podcast recommendations, or the encouragement to journal and bring it to session to get right to the point each week. This is your time to spend it how you need, so we will work together to come up with the right fit.
“How much will therapy cost?”
Excellent question. There’s a long answer and a short answer on the “rates” page at the top. It gets its own tab.
“Are you a safe person for me to work with?”
I operate from a feminist, anti-racist, humanistic lens when it comes to interacting with the world. I recognize my point of privilege as a straight, white, cisgender female, and do my best to remain educated on all walks of life. I support the LGBTQIA+ community, will respect your pronouns, and use a non-judgmental stance when discussing vulnerable topics. I am here to learn from you, though I don’t expect you to have to educate me in areas where it is my responsibility to be informed. From an ethical and personal values perspective, I attend Continuing Education events on a regular basis to learn and grow as a therapist. I am happy to talk about any concerns or fears you may have about entering the therapeutic relationship as well!
