Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect from the initial session?

The first session is an opportunity to address the concerns that are bringing you into therapy and for us to assess what it will feel like to work together. We will review the therapy process and talk about confidentiality, my cancellation policy, fees, and scheduling. Before we end, I will make some initial treatment recommendations, respond to any questions you might have, and help you decide on the appropriate next steps.

How long will therapy take?

The course of treatment will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the nature and severity of the issue that brought you into treatment, the treatment goals that we agree on, and your motivation and commitment to the process of therapy.

Longer-term psychotherapy is usually the most effective treatment when the reasons for treatment stem from firmly entrenched negative beliefs, trauma, deep-rooted relational patterns, or mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. In other instances, such as during a time of acute crisis or to help one navigate through a specific life transition, it is possible to address a client's problems in a briefer, more time-limited manner. After an initial assessment period, I should be able to help evaluate an approximate course of treatment.

Can't I just solve my problems on my own or talk to friends?

The abilities to be self-sufficient and to have a healthy support system can be great sources of strength. Nevertheless, many people continue to encounter difficulties with the way they feel, think about, and experience themselves and their circumstances. Friends and family are often well meaning but may lack the skills that a trained professional can provide. In therapy patients find a professional, supportive, and confidential environment where they can experience their thoughts and feelings in a way they may not be able to do with others. In addition, a licensed therapist is trained to help you understand your behaviors and relational patterns with greater depth and sophistication.

What happens in couples counseling?

Unlike individual therapy, in couples counseling the focus is on the relationship and the ways in which the two individuals interact. The work entails helping the couple enhance their connection and intimacy without losing their individuality. It is important to note that the therapist's role is not to keep the couple together, but rather to build skills and foster awareness of the relational patterns that may be keeping the couple stuck. These skills often involve enhancing communication, conflict management, improving emotional intimacy, and establishing and maintaining boundaries.

Will I require medication?

Medication is not for everyone and it is certainly not a "cure-all," but there are times when taking medication is either clinically indicated or an option for us to consider as part of your comprehensive treatment plan.

Depending on the nature and severity of the concerns addressed in therapy, together we may decide that medication is warranted as part of a treatment approach. If, after sufficient assessment and discussion, we agree to consider medication as a supplement to the psychotherapy process, referrals will be made to one of the skilled and competent psychiatrists with whom I collaborate.

Can’t I just meditate and do yoga and other wellness activities to manage my mental health?

There are many great adjunct activities such as meditation, yoga, exercise, relaxation, massage, journaling, music, and art. These are adjunct activities, or supplemental activities, that can enhance the positive effects of therapy, but I have never seen them take the place of or substitute for the deep work that psychodynamic therapy provides. Frankly, I do not know of anything that will take the place of depth psychotherapy or that will make lasting, comprehensive changes to a person’s internal self-experience and character structure. Nor have I ever met an individual who would not greatly benefit from long-term depth psychotherapy. There are people who are unable to make use of this type of therapy, such as people with developmental disabilities, chronic mental illnesses, or significant substance abuse issues that preclude them from being able to engage in this type of self-exploration. Short of these populations, I believe that anyone would benefit from depth psychotherapy.