Frequently Asked Questions

I have a Master's degree in Social Work. My training has taught me to consider you as a whole person, not just a list of symptoms. I am bound by a code of ethics as a social worker that guides my practice. Those ethical principles include prioitizing client welfare, promoting self-determination, cultural humility, and upholding social justice.

This is a great question and it has many, MANY answers. A trained therapist brings their clinical training, expertise and experience into the room, but that is just the start. This is how I believe it works. You, as the client, have to organize the thoughts about your situation in order to say them out loud in the first session. Just organizing our thoughts can change our perspective. Then, you hear youself say things out loud. That changes perspective as well. From my seat, I see "light turn on" when people hear themselves say out loud the things that they have been struggling with. Then, you get feedback from the therapist. There is power in the simple act of listening, validating and communicating a genuine desire to help someone navigate the struggle.

That depends on a variety of factors. Some people come to therapy with very specific goals to meet that can be met quickly. Others come in with a desire to do deeper work on long term issues. How you are doing, whether things are improving, staying the same, or going the wrong direction is discussed at every session. If you think things are not progressing in the manner that you expect, say something. You are treated as the expert on YOU and your collaboration with your care is essential for you to get what you need. Whether or not your symptoms have improved or your interpersonal struggle has resolved, you should feel heard, supported and validated at every session.

The first visit is typically 60 minutes in length. You will answer questions about what is bringing you to thearpy and you will be asked questions about your history.  By the end of the session, you will be asked what you need to get out of the therapy process. Sometimes people do not know the answer to that question, so that may become your first homework assignment. Follow up sessions are usually between 45 and 55 minutes in length and start with a discussion about how things have been since your last visit. It works best if clients know what they want to talk about in the session, but sometimes some of the best work happens when nothing new has happened in between sessions!

This one is important because one of the best predictors of a good therapy outcome is the therapeutic relationship. Developing that relationship is one of my top, if not THE top, priority early in therapy. I am personally an extrovert so sessions are true conversations. I am not the kind of therapist who sits with you in silence. I interact. It is my job to ask you questions to assist you to talk about whatever it is that you need to say.