Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be lying on a couch?
Only if you feel like it! A couch is available to lie down or to sit on, depending on your preference.
Am I going to be expected to just talk throughout the session?
No! My approach is very curious and interactive, so I will be asking a lot of questions to help open up the conversation. You will not be alone in this! I also do a lot of checking in to make sure we're on the same page with your expectations of therapy.
When will I start feeling better?
Because this therapy addresses not only the symptoms (i.e., anxiety, depression, etc.) but also their underlying cause(s), it may not be a quick fix. However, by addressing the root issue of what you are experiencing, the symptoms will be much less likely to return. Even when treating longstanding issues, people sometimes report feeling better after the first session, particularly as it can be such a relief to finally find someone who "gets it!”
What benefits can I expect to see?
Depending on why you are coming to therapy, some common benefits include: decreased anxiety; greater insight into the past and present; finally being able to connect current feelings and behaviors with their actual causes; increased motivation; greater sense of well-being; feeling more connected with yourself and other people; and a sense of being heard or understood in ways you may never have experienced before.
Are we going to be talking about my past the whole time?
Definitely not. The most important aspect to life is what is happening right here and right now. The present is the only place where we can make change; but it is the past that informs our present. By including an understanding of your past in our work, we can get a much fuller picture of what is happening now and better move through current "stuck" places for more lasting change; so while the first few sessions do include some detailed questions about your life history, moving forward, the focus in on current life.
Do you meet online or in person?
Both! If you prefer to meet online, you will receive a Zoom link 24 hours before the session; or if you’d rather meet in person, I have a relaxing space at 661 Mass Ave. in Arlington!
Do you work with couples, families, or children?
No; I currently work only with individual adults, ages 18 and older.
How do you accept payment?
I use a payment method called “Ivy Pay,” which is designed specifically for therapy. At the start of the first session, you will receive a text link that allows you to securely input your card information. Moving forward, I charge your card following each session. Unlike Venmo or Zelle, Ivy Pay is “HIPPA” compliant, so your privacy is always maintained.
Why should I use someone out-of-network or pay privately, when I can just find someone in-network and pay less?
You get what you pay for! There are many reasons to choose to pay more out-of-pocket versus to pay less through insurance companies. Here are some:
Greater freedom: Paying out-of-network or privately allows greater freedom in who you choose to see and in the kind of treatment you receive. Insurance companies dictate how many sessions you are covered for and what strategies for treatment they allow their in-network providers to provide; and unfortunately, they often don’t make it easy!
Greater privacy: For people who don't use insurance at all, the therapist is not required to give an insurance company a “mental health diagnosis.” Whenever insurance is involved, the therapist is required to give you a four-digit, mental health diagnosis code, labeling your “disorder,” which then becomes part of your medical record. As a therapist, I believe people are more complex than the 4-digit codes insurance companies require!
Quality of service: Many in-network providers tend to have higher “caseloads,” leading to longer waitlists. There can also be general increased stress around needing to diagnose you and prove “medical necessity” to the insurance company in order to be able to keep working with you; sadly, this can lead to less time, energy, and attention to devote to you.
Although it can feel expensive, you are worth the time and money spent on someone who is fully available and attentive to your healing!