Common Questions
What's the first session like?
Many people experience a mixture of fear, anxiety and anticipation when they come to their first therapy appointment. After all, you are taking a step of faith when you start counseling, and that can feel intimidating and/or nerve wracking. Just keep in mind that first session jitters are a common experience and usually diminish with time. What benefits and challenges do people tend to experience from therapy? The counseling process promotes growth and helps clients express feelings in a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment. Counseling improves coping skills and assists clients in identifying alternative solutions to life issues. The process is not an easy road, as there is often increased stress and anxiety when examining emotionally troubling or painful events. Often family and friends struggle with adjusting to the changes clients make while in counseling. Finally, despite the time spent, there is no guarantee that counseling will be successful for everyone. However, despite the potential difficulties, counseling is a therapeutic process in which the benefits may well far outweigh the risks. What happens if therapy feels too intense for me? Some sessions are light & easy, some are full of raw emotion, and others are a mix of both. I try to keep things at a comfortable pace while gently encouraging you to grow. I do my best to give all clients a choice in the areas they explore during session. How long will I need to go to therapy? Most clients come in once a week or every other week. Some clients are in therapy for just a couple of months and others enjoy the benefits of long-term therapy. Some clients occasionally take a break from therapy altogether and come back at different seasons in their life. Your therapy experience is ultimately in your control and each session is what you make it. Why is therapy so expensive? This is a fair question. Today I know that the amount of time and money people invest to become a successful therapist is a labor of love that is given with the hope of being able to make a difference in the lives of others. There is a brief article titled "Why Does Counseling Cost So Much? (And Why Is It So Expensive?)" that gives a great explanation of why fees are what they are. You can read this article by clicking on the link here. I am happy to discuss with you further during a free phone consult if you have more questions on this topic. Do you take insurance, and how does that work? I do accept insurances. Currently I am only in network with Regence PPO plans, Regence Blueshield of WA, and Kaiser PPO plans. For most of the other insurances I am considered an out-of-network provider. Many therapists are becoming out-of-network providers, so regardless of who you choose as your therapist, you should check with your insurance carrier to know what this means for you. Be sure to ask the following 2 questions:
What makes therapy successful? The secret to success in therapy lies in finding a therapist you can connect with and working hard both in and outside the session by putting your new insights into practice. At times, I provide clients with a task to work on through out the week in order to help client get more out of their therapy process then just what they get in the 50 minute session. How can I trust that what I share in session will remain confidential? Washington State Law protects communications between a client and therapist. Without written permission from the client, a therapist may not disclose information with anyone but the client and their health insurance provider. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule:
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If you are seeking to start therapy but still have a few questions, please contact me for a free consultation today.
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