Therapy is meant to be a place where you can open up and be vulnerable. However, that also means addressing feelings and topics that are new or that makes you feel uncomfortable. This makes many people nervous and anxious about therapy, so it is indeed a very normal feeling. It takes a lot of courage to take the leap into therapy and I am here to help you through it. Together we can address nervousness and do what we can to make you feel comfortable. 

Sometimes it can take a few sessions to get comfortable and truly see if your therapist is a good fit. However, you can also read through the website and ask questions during a 15-minute consultation to see if there is a chance it may be a good fit. You can ask questions about the therapist’s approach, if they helped others like you before, or any other questions. You can also briefly discuss your goal for therapy so that the therapist and you and discuss how they can help. If it seems like it may not be a good fit, the therapist can help connect or refer you to someone who may be more appropriate.  

Your privacy is very important to us. In therapy, you’ll share sensitive information about yourself and sometimes about others. Everything discussed in therapy is confidential. The only exceptions would be if there is an imminent danger to yourself or someone else. If you have questions about how confidentiality works, we can discuss it during the 15-minute consultation or in a session if questions come up later. 

The duration of therapy varies from client to client. Often times we want fast relief when we are struggling. However, keep in mind that most clients have a small amount of growth after the first few sessions. That time is usually spent becoming more comfortable with therapy and your therapist. Afterwards, deep issues can be addressed. Most of our clients stay with us longer than 12 months while others feel supported without long-term therapy. Additionally, the frequency of therapy may also vary (weekly, biweekly). Together we can find the duration and frequency that works best for you. 

The first session is typically a structured session to help the therapist get to know your history, symptoms, and challenges. You’ll be invited to share what has worked or didn’t work for your mental health in the past.  During your first session, you might be asked the following: 

• What brings you to therapy?

• Have you had therapy before? How did that go? 

• What do I need to know about you to understand your current challenges? 

Your first session is also a time to ask your therapist questions and see if they may be a good fit. If you feel comfortable, you can discuss if you would like to schedule additional sessions.

If you’re interested in getting started, we are available for a free 15-mintue phone consultation to discuss your challenges and how we can help. Call us today at 919-205-3587 to get your free 15-minute consultation or click here to Contact Us (contact link on website). 

Teletherapy is a medium of providing therapy that has exploded in the age of COVID-19, but it existed before that as well.  If you choose to work with me, we will complete all of our work together virtually, through secure and HIPPA-compliant video conferencing software.  This software can be accessed from a laptop or desktop, or from your tablet or smartphone.

There are many benefits of virtual therapy. In addition to being convenient, it eases stigma surrounding mental health, it is easy to access, there is expanded reach beyond local area to serve clients who may live farther away or unable to come into the office for their appointment due to a disability or other concerns, and it reduces barriers that contribute to missing appointments (i.e., challenges with childcare, commute time, transportation issues, illnesses, and inclement weather).

As a Telehealth client, you are expected to find a private space where you will not be interrupted and where others cannot see or hear the session. To ensure quality care and maximum benefit from online therapy, it is also important that you limit distractions around you.

Research shows that, in many cases, Telehealth can be as effective as face-to-face sessions and while there are plenty of benefits when it comes to online therapy, there are also some limitations that are important to understand. These include: some insurance providers may not cover this type of service (it varies by plan and it is important that you call your provider and ask), your therapist must be licensed in the state where you are at the time of your appointment, and there may be technological problems that interfere with your session.

Telehealth is appropriate for individuals who are psychiatrically stable and are not experiencing auditory or visual hallucinations, active suicidal ideation, or active addiction symptoms. Telehealth may not be appropriate for everyone and we will be able to determine whether you are clinically appropriate for this type of service during your assessment appointment.

No, I do not offer in-person sessions. All sessions take place virtually via video on a secure platform. All you need is strong WIFI, a quiet space and a phone, tablet or computer to access your client portal and start your session.