FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT CAN I EXPECT IN THERAPY?
Since each individual has different issues and goals for therapy, the therapeutic process will be tailored to your own specific needs and will therefore vary person to person. In therapy sessions, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, the current issues you are experiencing, your personal history relevant to your issue, and your progress or any new insights gained from previous sessions. Depending on your particular needs, therapy can be short-term for a specific issue or longer-term to deal with more challenging patterns of thinking and behavior. Therapy sessions are typically held on a weekly basis, but for some clients, it makes the most sense to meet every other week. A beneficial schedule will be arranged after discussing your needs and schedule in session.
It is important to understand that you will obtain more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process by asking questions, practicing newly learned skills at home, and being open and honest with your therapist. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you embody what is learned in session so you can achieve a sense of autonomy when faced with life’s challenges. In other words, therapy provides you with the skills needed to eventually gain (or regain) your independence. Individuals seeking therapy are often ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives, and are willing to take responsibility for their actions. They are courageous and ready to work.
WHAT SHOULD EXPECT IN MY FIRST SESSION?
Finding a therapist who is a good match is essential to the therapeutic process and efficacy. We will spend the first session getting a sense of each other so we can decide if this therapeutic relationship makes sense for your needs. You are welcome to ask any questions you may have and/or share any concerns about starting therapy. In order to spend our time most efficiently, you will not spend any time in session completing paperwork. Prior to our first appointment, we will send you a link to our confidential patient portal where you will find a few brief documents about my practice, confidentiality in therapy, and forms where you can provide some information about yourself.
HOW LONG DOES EACH THERAPY SESSION TAKE?
Each session is 50 minutes.
WHAT ARE THE LIMITS TO CONFIDENTIALITY IN THERAPY?
Confidentiality between a client and therapist is one of the most crucial elements of therapy. Effective therapy requires a significant amount of trust when addressing highly sensitive topics that are usually not discussed anywhere else but in a therapist’s office. As mental health professionals, therapists should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement (aka: “Informed Consent”), which explains your rights to confidentiality concerning subject matters discussed in therapy sessions. Therefore, within the limits of the law, information revealed by you during therapy will be kept strictly confidential and will not be revealed to any other person or agency without your written permission.
However, there are situations in which therapists are required by law to reveal information obtained during therapy to other persons or agencies without your permission. These situations are as follows: (1) If you reveal information relative to child abuse, child neglect, or elder abuse; and (2) if you threaten serious bodily harm or death to yourself or another person. Therapists are required by law to report these circumstances to the appropriate authority, law enforcement, and/or medical agencies as deemed appropriate.
ADVANTAGES TO ONLINE THERAPY…
Online therapy has been proven to be as effective as in-person therapy. Some advantages of online therapy or teletherapy include:
Easier access: Clients who live in remote areas, have limited mobility, or who have limited access to transportation may benefit greatly from telehealth services. Many clients using telehealth prefer to engage in therapy from the comfort of their own home.
Reduced cost: Online therapy eliminates the costs associated with travel time and gas.
More consistent therapy: Online therapy decreases disruptions in care due to poor weather conditions or sickness, allowing clients to participate in continuous therapy.
Sometimes clients benefit from more frequently scheduled sessions, providing for more intense therapy at an increased pace. Online therapy creates an opportunity to do so without the hassle of commuting to your appointment.
Increased progress: Since online therapy provides more intense therapy, it can accelerate progress.
Better access to specialists: Online therapy allows for people residing in remote or rural areas to not miss out on quality care. More options than ever before are available for clients in making the important and personal decision of selecting a therapist.
Psychological comfort: Online therapy provides a space where no one will see you physically walking into a therapist’s office. Social stigma can often be avoided by opting for telehealth services over in-person care.
Flexibility: Your time is valuable. Clients have access to a variety of specialists and can select a clinician who will work best with their ever-changing schedule.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PSYCHIATRIST AND A PSYCHOTHERAPIST?
In basic terms, a psychiatrist is a registered doctor who can diagnose mental illness and prescribe medication. Psychotherapists will offer talk therapy to their clients, and while they will diagnose mental illness for purposes of treatment, they cannot prescribe medication to their clients.
WHAT IS PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH?
Perinatal refers to the period before and after birth. The perinatal period generally starts at the 20th to 28th week of gestation and will end weeks to months after birth.