Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most commonly asked questions from potential clients.

I’m nervous about starting therapy. Is that normal?

It’s totally normal to be nervous about starting therapy. It can be scary to think of opening up or crying in front of someone new, perhaps fearing that it will be awkward and uncomfortable. The fear around that can feel overwhelming. It takes courage to start going to therapy. The fact that you are on this website, looking for help, and reading this right now shows that you are brave and seeking help.

Therapy is a space where you can be yourself and bring up whatever is going on for you, including feeling nervous. I’m committed to finding a way to care for your nervousness and ensure sessions are as comfortable as possible.

I’m here if you want to talk about it during a free phone consultation.

How do I know if you are the right therapist for me

Take your time to read through my website. If you sense that I may be a good fit based on what you are reading, you can email me.

During a free phone consultation, you can ask me questions about my approach, what a typical session with me is like, or any other questions you may have that are specific to you. You’ll also be able to share what’s going on for you and we can determine how I could best be of service to you.

It may be helpful to think of the first few sessions as trying out the waters together. During the sessions, you’ll be able to see how you feel working with me. My approach is not going to work for everyone. What’s most important to me is that you find someone who you feel is the right fit for you. We can explore that together.

What if I don't want to talk about something?

It’s normal if you don’t feel ready to share everything. During our sessions, I will never push you to talk about things that are too painful for you to talk about. It’s my job to give you space to slowly start to work through the tough stuff. Gradually and at a pace that feels comfortable to you, you can share what you feel ready to share.

You can also share with me that you are nervous to open up about something and we can talk about that too. Whatever is present for you. Whatever you are going through. Bring that to the session and we can explore that together.

I’m scared that if I open up, you will think I’m crazy.

If you open up to me, I will not think you are crazy, I will think you are courageous and human. Many of my clients have had the same fear (that people would think they are crazy).

Through my own life journey and working with my clients, I know how ‘normal’ your experience is.

You have nothing to be ashamed about. Nothing you can say will cause me to judge you.

I know nobody's perfect, we all struggle, and we all have our strengths and weaknesses.

Whatever it is you're going through, I provide a safe space where you can feel heard and supported without judgment.

Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?

It can be concerning to feel like things you say or do in therapy could "get out." So I want you to know that unless you are in danger or someone else is, your story is confidential and your time in the session is protected.

Your privacy and trust are of utmost importance.

You can rest assured that you can talk about anything without fear of that information getting out.

If you have specific questions about how confidentiality works, you can ask during your during free phone consultation or anytime during our work together.

How long will therapy take?

You might be asking about how long therapy will take because you are currently struggling and want relief fast.

If this is true for you, I want you to know that on average, my new clients start seeing positive effects after the first few sessions.

By that point, they feel like they have learned some ways to manage challenging stuff in their lives a bit better.

The total duration of therapy varies from client to client. Some of my clients find 6-12 weeks to be enough to resolve immediate challenges. While other clients feel more supported by longer-term therapy.

We will work together to find the length of time that works for you.

What can I expect during the first session?

Overall, you can think of the first session as a structured assessment that helps me get to know you and the challenges that brought you into treatment. I’ll invite you to share more about yourself and we can also talk about what’s worked or not worked for your mental health in the past.

Some questions that I like to ask during a first session include:

What brought you to therapy?
What goals would you like to reach by going to therapy?
What do I need to know about you to understand your current challenges?

You can ask me questions as well. You might be curious about why I'm a therapist or how I've helped other clients like you.

The most important part of a first session is that you see if you feel I’m a good fit for you. If you feel safe, accepted, and comfortable with me, we can discuss if you’d like to meet again.

How can I get started?

I'm here to talk during a free phone consultation where you can share what’s going on for you and we can determine how I could best be of service to you.

Let's Connect