Frequently Asked Questions
“What can I expect in a first session?”
First sessions are used to get to know you a little and narrow in on why you’re here and what you would like to accomplish through therapy. I will ask some questions about your past mental health, your family, and your relationships and then we will talk about what most recently led you to seek out therapy. My priorities in a first session are that you feel comfortable, that we address your goals, and that you get to know me and make sure we are a good fit. Coming prepared with what your goals are is often helpful.
“My partner and I are mostly happy and I’m worried we won’t have enough to talk about. Should we try couples therapy?”
YES. I am passionate about working with couples who are happy and are just seeking a little extra support on a few different conflicts or pain points. Couples Therapy is more productive the earlier you come in. It’s exciting you’re seeking ways to build a stronger foundation and care for your relationship NOW, rather than wait until hurt, anger and resentment are already building.
If you come in with a few ideas of arguments, misunderstandings or differences that have come up between you or a recent conflict, that can be a great place to start. A Relationship Checkup could be a great option for you both as well. This includes 5 structured sessions that include education about relationships and different assessments to spark conversations and start to find those stuck places together. Click for more info on relationship checkups:
“Will my spouse think I’m unhappy if I bring up the idea of couples therapy?”
It can be scary to bring up the idea of Couples Therapy with your partner for the first time, especially because there is unfortunate stigma surrounding couples therapy. I would recommend bringing it up in a way where you are very clear about what you are hoping to get out of couples counseling. If you are happy and seeking some support in working through conflicts or building a stronger foundation of your relationship, hopefully that sounds like something they would also be interested in. It is important to remind them that Couples Therapy is NOT only for couples considering divorce, it is also for couples seeking support in caring for their relationship because it means so much to them. It may also help that I specialize in couples like you, who are seeking a relationship checkup or maintenance sessions throughout a happy and fulfilling relationship.
“will talking about our arguments and conflicts in therapy make things worse?”
Short answer: NO. It will not make it worse. It may be difficult and scary, and it may bring up past hurts and require vulnerability, but it will also help you learn more about each other and build trust, skills and closeness together.
Long answer: Sometimes the idea of coming to Couples Therapy and talking through conflicts or arguments can sound overwhelming and negative. While some conversations in therapy may be emotional and bring up sadness or hurt, it is a crucial relationship skill to learn how to trust each other to talk through the more difficult and scary topics together. Therapy can be a safe place to develop those skills and build trust with your partner so that you can talk through those tricky topics in a way that is productive and helpful. If you are willing to open up and have those tough conversations, you will find that it can bring you closer to your partner than ever before.
Do i / we have to come to therapy every week?
Nope! I recommend starting with a session every week or two so we can get to know each other. And, if you or your relationship are in crisis, I may recommend continuing weekly/bi-weekly sessions for a while. However, in general, I want therapy to be whatever is helpful for you. Some of my clients come in every week, while others are to a point where they feel comfortable checking in every month or every few months when they feel they could use some extra support. My goal for you and your relationship is that we get to a point where you can move from regular sessions to sessions as needed when new stressors come up throughout your life.
How many sessions should I plan on attending?
While each client’s experience is different and I want it to be whatever is most helpful for you and the number of sessions varies a lot. On average, I meet with clients about 6 months. For couples, I usually recommend 12-20 sessions. If you are in crisis, that may be longer.
My hope is also to be a long-term fit for you. Meaning that even when we wrap up therapy, if down the road you have periods of high stress or life transitions, that we can pick back up our work as needed.
“How much do sessions cost?”
I do not accept insurance. Sessions are $150 per session and $175 for a first session. Your sessions may be eligible for reimbursement through out-of-network benefits, so you can check with your insurance provider about reimbursement if you'd like.
