Why do people seek therapy?
People from all backgrounds and experiences enter therapy for a variety of reasons. Some need support as they respond to changes in their lives, while others want to better understand themselves and their experiences. Individuals seek help when they feel overwhelmed and are not coping well with their feelings or other aspects of their lives. Therapy can provide support, coping skills, problem-solving skills, and increased understanding of self and others. Therapy can be very beneficial for individuals who are experiencing anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, childhood issues that have not been resolved, grief/loss, stress, and many other concerns. Many people wait until they experience a crisis or "hit bottom" to begin treatment. While I know it can sometimes be difficult to begin, I encourage people to reach out for help when they notice something that they would like to address. Once clients begin attending therapy, they often say that they wish they had begun treatment sooner.
What if I am worried about seeing a therapist?
You are not alone! I understand that many people are uncertain about beginning therapy, and for good reason. Starting therapy can be a scary and intimidating experience, particularly when you consider that you will have to think and talk about the aspects of your life and feelings that are most difficult for you. I encourage individuals to take their time choosing a therapist who they feel could be a good fit. Developing a trusting relationship with a therapist can go a long way in making the difficult aspects of therapy more manageable, and can lead to more favorable treatment outcomes. Once you identify a therapist who you think you might work well with, I would encourage you to give therapy a try for a couple of sessions. It can sometimes take a little while to get comfortable. I offer a free consultation to prospective clients, so that you can get a feel for what it might be like to be in therapy with me. I am happy to discuss any worries and concerns you may have about treatment at that time, and at any other time that concerns may arise.
What can I expect when I attend appointments?
For in-office appointments, please take the the stairs to the office and have a seat in the waiting area. Feel free to help yourself to a beverage while you wait. I will meet you in the waiting room at the time of our scheduled appointment.
For teletherapy appointments, you will receive a link to a secure online platform prior to your appointment. Please click the link to enter a virtual waiting room. I will open our secure meeting at the time of our appointment. Please make sure that you are in a space where you have privacy and are free from distractions for the entire appointment.
During our first two to four sessions we will review confidentiality, the therapy process, and payment in order to set clear expectations for treatment. We will also use this time to gather more information about your primary concerns and history. This will allow us to work together to begin creating a treatment plan, and begin to build our therapeutic relationship. We will also take time during these sessions to address any questions or concerns you might have about therapy and my practice. If we determine that we are not a good treatment match for any reason during these initial sessions, I will be very happy to provide you with the names of colleagues who may better meet your treatment needs.
During subsequent sessions we will talk about your primary concerns and will explore the roots of these concerns. We will also address any new experiences and feelings as they come up. I will be there to provide support and assistance throughout this process.
Therapy sessions are typically 45-55 minutes. For most people weekly sessions are necessary to meet their treatment goals. However, I see some people more or less frequently depending on the nature of their presenting concerns and goals. We will discuss the recommended length and frequency of sessions in our initial appointments based on your needs and goals for treatment.
Please contact me at (412) 652-8811 or email if you have questions about therapy or my practice.
People from all backgrounds and experiences enter therapy for a variety of reasons. Some need support as they respond to changes in their lives, while others want to better understand themselves and their experiences. Individuals seek help when they feel overwhelmed and are not coping well with their feelings or other aspects of their lives. Therapy can provide support, coping skills, problem-solving skills, and increased understanding of self and others. Therapy can be very beneficial for individuals who are experiencing anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, childhood issues that have not been resolved, grief/loss, stress, and many other concerns. Many people wait until they experience a crisis or "hit bottom" to begin treatment. While I know it can sometimes be difficult to begin, I encourage people to reach out for help when they notice something that they would like to address. Once clients begin attending therapy, they often say that they wish they had begun treatment sooner.
What if I am worried about seeing a therapist?
You are not alone! I understand that many people are uncertain about beginning therapy, and for good reason. Starting therapy can be a scary and intimidating experience, particularly when you consider that you will have to think and talk about the aspects of your life and feelings that are most difficult for you. I encourage individuals to take their time choosing a therapist who they feel could be a good fit. Developing a trusting relationship with a therapist can go a long way in making the difficult aspects of therapy more manageable, and can lead to more favorable treatment outcomes. Once you identify a therapist who you think you might work well with, I would encourage you to give therapy a try for a couple of sessions. It can sometimes take a little while to get comfortable. I offer a free consultation to prospective clients, so that you can get a feel for what it might be like to be in therapy with me. I am happy to discuss any worries and concerns you may have about treatment at that time, and at any other time that concerns may arise.
What can I expect when I attend appointments?
For in-office appointments, please take the the stairs to the office and have a seat in the waiting area. Feel free to help yourself to a beverage while you wait. I will meet you in the waiting room at the time of our scheduled appointment.
For teletherapy appointments, you will receive a link to a secure online platform prior to your appointment. Please click the link to enter a virtual waiting room. I will open our secure meeting at the time of our appointment. Please make sure that you are in a space where you have privacy and are free from distractions for the entire appointment.
During our first two to four sessions we will review confidentiality, the therapy process, and payment in order to set clear expectations for treatment. We will also use this time to gather more information about your primary concerns and history. This will allow us to work together to begin creating a treatment plan, and begin to build our therapeutic relationship. We will also take time during these sessions to address any questions or concerns you might have about therapy and my practice. If we determine that we are not a good treatment match for any reason during these initial sessions, I will be very happy to provide you with the names of colleagues who may better meet your treatment needs.
During subsequent sessions we will talk about your primary concerns and will explore the roots of these concerns. We will also address any new experiences and feelings as they come up. I will be there to provide support and assistance throughout this process.
Therapy sessions are typically 45-55 minutes. For most people weekly sessions are necessary to meet their treatment goals. However, I see some people more or less frequently depending on the nature of their presenting concerns and goals. We will discuss the recommended length and frequency of sessions in our initial appointments based on your needs and goals for treatment.
Please contact me at (412) 652-8811 or email if you have questions about therapy or my practice.