All About Therapy | Learn about Therapy
Starting therapy can be a very anxiety-provoking experience. Likely you have been struggling for awhile and it’s gotten to a point where you are ready to get better. Taking that first step to contact a therapist is hard. It’s hard to open up and share about your struggles.
Will the therapist understand me? Will they be supportive? Will they think my struggles are silly? Can they help me?
Those are just a few of the common questions people often have when starting out therapy. Those are all valid questions and concerns.
It is really important for you to feel heard and understood. It’s also understandable to not feel comfortable right away in sharing everything. The pace of therapy is up to you, including what you decide to share and what you aren’t comfortable talking about yet.
As a therapist, I welcome any questions about the process of therapy, my experience, how I view people and their struggles, my therapeutic approach, etc. It is important that we are the right fit. One of the most important factors of therapeutic success is the relationship between the client and the therapist. It is within that relationship that people are able to find comfort, develop deeper understanding of themselves and make changes.
How often should I have therapy sessions and how long will I need therapy?
For the first month it can be helpful to have a therapy session once a week. In the beginning we are getting to know each other and developing a treatment plan. Then as symptoms start to improve, some like to go to every other week and then to once a month or even once every couple months as a “maintenance” session. There is no “right or wrong” way and ultimately it is up to each person individually on what feels most comfortable and most supportive to their needs.
How many sessions you need will depend on what you are coming to therapy for, the severity of your symptoms, and how you implement what you learn about yourself in therapy within your life. Typically a person will report improvement of their symptoms after 8-12 sessions of therapy and about 3 to 6 months time.
As I work with my clients I will check in with them regarding the pace of therapy, progress towards their treatment goals, and if there is anything they’d like to do differently (or keep doing). We also talk about ending therapy when it’s appropriate. Therapy is not forever and it’s okay when you are ready to move on. It’s also okay to come back at a later time if something new arises or you are needing support again.
How much will it cost?
Therapy costs can range widely- it will depend on if you use your health insurance, your location, the therapist’s specialities, etc. If you use your health insurance, you may have a copay or a co-insurance fee. A copay is a set, lower dollar amount, that you pay per session. Co-insurance is when you pay a percentage of the service (this often ranges from 10- 30%). Typically you will have to pay your deductible first, before your co-insurance kicks in. Your insurance will typically have negotiated a lower rate with the therapist, so even though you may be paying “in full” when you have your deductible to meet, it will still be lower than the therapist’s private rate. Whether you use your insurance or go the private pay route, it’s important for the therapist to be clear and up front of the costs prior to therapy. This information should be either on their website or provided to you during a consultation. You will find information on my fee here. If using your health insurance, it will depend on your specific coverage, which I can look up during a consultation.
Why would I pay a private rate over using my insurance?
Many therapists decide not to contract with insurance, as insurance rates can be low and may not cover business costs of doing therapy. Also, insurance will often have limits around the frequency, length, and duration of therapy. You also have to “qualify” for therapy, meaning you have the meet the criteria of a mental health diagnosis. Some people may not meet the criteria for a diagnosis, however they may still benefit from therapy.
While therapy can feel expensive, it is important to remind yourself that you are making an investment into yourself. You are paying for the support and guidance to feel better, to recover from mental health concerns such as anxiety or depression, to create healthier relationships, to process through trauma, to feel better as a parent and to raise emotionally healthy children. This is your life and you are deserving of the support to help you build the life you want for yourself (and your family).
Okay, I think I’m ready to take that step and schedule a therapy session, now what?
That’s great! If you would like to schedule a session with me, you can do so here. Per my license, you do need to physically be in California at the times of our sessions for me to be your therapist.
If you are in another state and would like to find a therapist, check out Psychology Today for therapists near you.
Disclaimer: This is in not a replacement for a therapeutic relationship or mental health services. This is for educational purposes only and should be in used only in conjunction in working with a licensed mental health professional. If you are looking for a therapist in California feel free to use the contact me to schedule an appointment or search Psychology Today for local therapists in your area.