FAQs

How do I know if therapy is right for me?

Therapy is one tool people can use to address areas in their life that they would like to be different. Many people decide to seek out therapy when their usual tools for coping no longer seem to be working or no longer feel like enough. You might catch yourself wondering if your concerns are “bad enough” to warrant therapy. My answer to that is there is no ruler to measure “bad enough.” If you are struggling with something, want to learn more about yourself, want to grow, and want the potential for healing, then therapy can be right for you.

What is the difference between talking to a therapist and talking to a friend/family member?

Usually when we seek support from a friend or family member, our existing relationship with them means they have some kind of interest or investment in the decisions that we make. While this is natural and not a bad thing, it might make it difficult for our loved ones to view the situation without bias. When you speak to a therapist, you have an opportunity to talk to someone who will not be directly impacted by your decisions and can listen objectively and without expectations or judgment. In addition, a therapist has the professional training to offer you new strategies and perspectives. Furthermore, a therapist is bound by confidentiality so you don’t have to worry about others “knowing my business.”

How does therapy work? What do I have to do?

It is hard to say since every individual has a unique treatment plan based on their goals and needs. What I can say is that therapy is most effective when you are an active participant in your sessions. It is important that you practice the strategies we discuss in between session in order to get the most out of therapy. Some people might believe that therapy is supposed to feel good. While you might end up feeling good at the end of some sessions, therapy takes some hard work and can bring up painful emotions. There may be sessions that end with negative emotions lingering. However, there is the potential benefit of improving your relationships, gaining coping skills, and meeting the goals that you set.

What is teletherapy?

Telehealth is the provision of psychological services through technology. These technologies can include but are not limited to telephone, email, text, and live videoconferencing. Use of these technologies may augment in-person services or be used as a stand-alone service (e.g., videoconferencing). When used as a stand-alone service, most states require that a provider is licensed in the state their client(s) reside in.

Telehealth can make therapy more convenient and accessible. While there are differences in the experience of in person therapy and teletherapy, there can be benefits to both. I use a secure, HIPAA complaint server for teletherapy that is user friendly and accessible through a client portal on your computer or laptop. By downloading an application, you can also access the secure video conferencing system on your phone.