Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you located?
My practice is 100% virtual, so we’ll meet in a private, comfortable space of your choosing anywhere in Illinois.
Do you do in-person sessions?
How do I log into telehealth sessions?
What is that free consultation?
As a new client, you’ll receive a free 15-minute consultation. It’s a phone conversation where we can talk about what’s bringing you to therapy. You’ll get a feel for my personality and how I work… and I’ll answer your questions. If we feel like we’re a good fit, we can schedule your first appointment.
Should I be alone during sessions?
Do you take insurance?
Yes, I do. To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers.
Here are some helpful questions you can ask:
- What are my mental health benefits?
- What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
- How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
- How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
- Is approval required from my primary care physician?
Is what we discuss confidential?
Confidentiality is one of the most important aspects of the client-therapist relationship. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but in the therapist’s office.
Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “informed consent.”
Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (e.g., a physician, naturopath, or attorney), but by law, your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.
State and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
* Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
* If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is in danger of harming themselves or has threatened to harm another person.
How long is a typical session?
I usually meet with clients virtually for 60-minute sessions.
For my clients with ADHD/executive dysfunction, we meet for 30 minutes in between sessions solely to discuss executive functioning, how new tools are working, and whether we need to make any adjustments.
Why do people go to therapy?
People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy. Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.) or are not handling stressful circumstances well.
Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues, such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, substance use, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts, or creative blocks. Therapy can help provide some much-needed encouragement and help them develop skills to get through these periods.
Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or be more effective with their goals in life.
In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives.
How can therapy help me?
Therapists provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues like depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and creative blocks.
Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset in managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles 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. Here are just a few of those benefits:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals, and your values
- Developing skills for improving your relationships
- Finding a 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 communication 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
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life. While you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you’ve faced, there’s nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it.
In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you’re at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy.
Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
What is therapy like?
Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual.
In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session.
Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term for a specific issue or longer-term to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your therapist (usually weekly).
It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. 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 therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process, like reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors, or taking action on your goals.
People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives, and take responsibility for their lives.
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 by medication alone.
Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress.
You can 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. In some cases, a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.