Frequently Asked Questions
Talking with a therapist provides a unique opportunity to openly share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a safe, confidential, and nonjudgmental environment. While friends and family often care deeply and want to help, they may have personal opinions, emotional investments, or biases that can make it difficult for them to remain completely objective.
What is the difference between talking to a therapist compared to my friends or family?
Therapy is a collaborative process that provides a safe, supportive, and confidential space to discuss the challenges, concerns, and goals that are important to you. Because every person’s situation is unique, therapy is tailored to your individual needs, strengths, and circumstances. During sessions, you can expect to openly explore your thoughts, feelings, experiences, relationships, and life situations while working together to better understand the issues you are facing.
What is therapy like?
Yes. While many health insurance plans provide coverage for outpatient therapy services, insurance is not required to receive therapy. If you do not have insurance or prefer not to use your insurance benefits, self-pay options are available. We accept cash, checks, and major credit/debit cards, with payment due at the time of service. In addition, many employers offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), which may provide a limited number of counseling sessions at no cost to you. If you are unsure whether your employer offers an EAP benefit, we encourage you to contact your Human Resources department for more information.
Can I receive therapy if I do not have insurance?
Confidentiality is an essential part of the therapeutic relationship. Information shared during therapy is kept private and will not be disclosed without your written permission except in certain situations required or permitted by law and professional ethics. These situations may include concerns about serious, foreseeable, and imminent harm to yourself or another person, suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elderly adult, or dependent adult, or when disclosure is otherwise required by a court order or applicable law. If a situation arises that may require breaking confidentiality, I will make every effort to discuss it with you whenever possible.
Does what we discuss in therapy remain confidential?
Finding the right therapist is an important part of the counseling process. Research consistently shows that the quality of the therapeutic relationship is one of the strongest predictors of successful outcomes in therapy. Within the first few sessions—typically three or fewer—you will likely begin to get a sense of whether your therapist is a good fit for your needs, goals, and preferences. Consider whether you feel comfortable talking openly, whether you feel heard and understood, and whether the therapist's approach aligns with what you are looking for. If it becomes clear that another provider may better meet your needs, your therapist can often help connect you with appropriate referrals.
How do I know if my therapist will be a good fit for me?
There is no “better” option between in-person and telehealth therapy—both can be effective, and the best choice depends on your personal preferences, comfort level, and practical needs. In-person therapy offers a traditional setting that some clients find helpful for focusing, feeling more connected in the room, and minimizing distractions. Telehealth therapy provides the convenience of attending sessions from home or another private space, which can reduce travel time, increase accessibility, and make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule. Both formats provide the same level of confidentiality, support, and quality of care, and many clients find that a combination of both works well depending on their circumstances.