There are always a number of questions potential clients have about my practice or therapy in general. Here you will find some of the most commonly asked questions and their answers:
Therapy is for everyone! You don’t have to be struggling with a significant mental health issue in order to benefit from therapy, though issues like depression, anxiety, or life stress often lead people to make their first appointment. Therapy is for anyone looking for extra support, whether you’re hoping to make an important change, or dealing with a difficult situation, like a breakup or loss of a loved one. Sometimes people seek therapy for personal growth and to develop greater insight into themselves. No matter what your goals are, therapy is right for anyone who is interested in living a more authentic, satisfying, meaningful life.
In general, everything you talk about in therapy is confidential and I cannot disclose any information without your written consent. There are some exceptions when it comes to protecting the safety of yourself or someone else, including children and vulnerable adults. I describe the limits of confidentiality in more detail in my paperwork and we can discuss any question you have during your first session.
The duration of therapy is different for everyone. Therapy can be short-term to address an acute stressor, or it can be open-ended to explore more complex or deep-rooted issues. While I have experience with both short-term and long-term therapy, many of my clients attend therapy for at least 12 months. Even after they have resolved some of their more pressing concerns, some clients continue therapy as part of their self-care routine and see it as a time during the week that’s just for them.
I identify as an integrative therapist, which means that I blend different theoretical approaches based on the needs of the client. The main theories I integrate are psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral therapy. I would be happy to talk with you in more detail about each of these approaches. Regardless of which theory I think might be the most helpful at a given time, I hope you will experience me as an active and engaging therapist who brings warmth, humor, and authenticty into the room. Ultimately, creating a trusting, supportive relationship is at the core of all the work I do.
Yes. Prior to scheduling your first appointment, you may request a free 15 minute phone consultation. During this call, you can tell me a little about what you’re hoping to get out of therapy and ask me any questions you may have about me or my practice. This call also helps me determine if I have the appropriate training and experience to work with your particular concern. Usually, at the end of this call, we will schedule a time for you to come to my office for an appointment.
The first appointment, or intake session, is different from a traditional therapy session. During the intake, we will talk about your reasons for seeking therapy and I will gather information about your history. The first meeting is also an opportunity for you to get to know me, ask me any questions you may have, and see how it feels to sit in my office. By the end of the first session, we will decide if it feels right to schedule another session.
After your first appointment, which is 60 minutes, therapy sessions are 45 minutes long.
After the intake session, where I tend to direct the conversation in order to gather information, therapy sessions are a more collaborative process. You get to decide what you want to talk about each time we meet and we will work together to explore the content you bring in. I will listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and may offer suggestions or a different perspective.
At the start of therapy, I recommend scheduling one session per week. This frequency enables us to build the therapeutic relationship more quickly, which will ultimately result in a deeper, more effective therapy. You are welcome to request more frequent sessions during a particularly difficult time or to develop greater insight.
As a licensed psychologist, I am unable to prescribe medication. Some of my patients find that medication is helpful in combination with the work they’re doing in therapy. If you are interested in being evaluated for medication, I can assist you with a referral to a psychiatrist or a psychiatric nurse practitioner.
My fees typically range between $200-$250 per session. Please note that payment is expected at the time of service. I accept payment by cash, check, and credit card. Learn more.
I am not a participating provider with any health insurance plans, but if you have out-of-network benefits, I can help you navigate the paperwork and reimbursement process. Please see my Fees and Insurance page for more information.
Currently all session are virtual through a HIPAA compliant video platform. When in-person sessions resume, they will occur in my office at 666 Plainsboro Road, Building 100, Suite F in Plainsboro, NJ 08536.
Hopefully, after reading my website and having a phone consultation, you will start to get a sense of whether I am the right therapist for you. I believe the best way to determine if we are a good fit is for you is to schedule an appointment and meet me in person. The relationship between therapist and client is incredibly important, so when we meet, ask yourself if you feel comfortable with me and if you can see yourself opening up to me. Building a relationship takes time, but my hope is that you begin to feel safe and understood early on.
If you are wondering whether I have experience working with your particular issue, please feel free to contact me.