FAQs

I’ve never talked to anyone. I’m used to handling things on my own. Aren’t people who go to therapy weak?

Not at all. For a long time, mental health has had a stigma attached to it. If you had a sprained ankle you would call the doctor, if you have anxiety, you call the therapist! People who ask for help and know when they need it are usually people who have tried to help themselves first but find it makes more sense to consult the professionals. Everyone needs help now and then. In our work together, I’ll help you explore and identify your strengths and how to use them to reduce the influence of the problems you are facing.

Is therapy expensive?

This all depends on what insurance plan you have, what your coverage is and whether you plan to use your insurance benefits. Please read more about this here.

My schedule is tight/I live far away from your office, can we do telehealth sessions instead of in-person?

Yes! My practice offers HIPAA compliant Zoom for Healthcare for telehealth sessions. I can serve anyone in the state of New York through Zoom sessions (Syracuse, Utica, New York City, Rochester, Albany, Buffalo, Watertown, etc.). Contact your insurance company to ensure coverage.

What’s the difference between talking to you or my best friend or family?

Friends and family are essential support systems, but having a trained professional look at things from an outside perspective is often a great addition to your supports. A mental health professional can help you approach your situation in a new way– teach you new skills, gain different perspectives, listen to you without judgment or expectations, and help you listen to yourself. Furthermore, counseling is completely confidential. Keep your friends your friends, your coworkers your coworkers and get a therapist to work through mental health issues with, you’ll thank yourself in the long run!

Why shouldn’t I just take medication?

Medication has a time and place, absolutely. Depending on your situation, I can help you decide whether therapy might be an added benefit to your situation. Sometimes medication and counseling combined provides the best outcome. Our work together is designed to explore and unpack the problems you are experiencing and expand on your strengths that can help you accomplish your personal goals, medication cannot do that!

How does it work? What is therapy like?

Because each person has different issues and goals for counseling, it will be different depending on the individual. A mental health counselor can guide you on how to best use your time during session if you are unsure. I tailor my therapeutic approach to your specific needs and will clearly discuss any recommendations. 

Initially, we gather history and information about current functioning and what brings you to counseling. Then we develop a type of treatment plan where you will participate in what goals you would like to achieve and we would agree on how to achieve those goals. Therapy should not be a mystery, you should feel like an active participant in the process.

How long will it take?

Unfortunately, this is not possible to say in a general FAQs page. Everyone’s circumstances are unique to them and the length of time counseling can take to allow you to accomplish your goals depends on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the factors that are driving you to seek counseling in the first place. 

Gone are the days when people spend years in psychotherapy, lying on a couch. My goal is to help you get back to living your life using your own resources and natural supports as quickly as possible!

I want to get the most out of therapy. What can I do to help?

I am so glad you are dedicated to getting the most out of your sessions. Your active participation and dedication will be crucial to your success. Just asking this question is a great step! We will come up with a plan for how to best work on issues outside of therapy sessions.