Common Questions

Yes, but it depends.

Research shows about 15 to 20 sessions are required for 50 percent of patients to recover as indicated by self-reported symptom measures.

Therapy Is More Helpful When:

• There is a good relationship between client and therapist (personality, temperament, style, approach, feeling understood and validated)

• Adequate education, training, and skill needed to treat the concerns

• Regular feedback/measurement toward progress

• A treatment plan/road map provided

• Understanding about what therapy is and is not (expectations, boundaries)

• Hope the therapist can help

• Treatment model/approach/style matches what client concerns need (e.g. you want a therapist who is active, direct, and talks with you vs. someone who nods at you in silence)

• Respect for diversity and difference are addressed

• Read more here, here and here.

For some people, therapy is ineffective.

At worst, for some people, therapy is harmful and contributes more to stressors and an increase in negative symptoms.

This is why it’s important to do your own research, learn about different therapy models, try therapy out for 1-2 sessions, and determine if it’s a good fit for your needs or if you require something else (e.g. coaching, support group, medication, etc.), or that therapy isn’t useful/appropriate for you at this time.

It depends.

The length of therapy depends on a variety of factors including:

• Issues/concerns

• Time available

• Money/insurance/fee

Some clients benefit from targeted treatment for a single issue/concern like anxiety or depression in 4-6 months, while others benefit from longer term treatment (12 months+).

However, therapy has a beginning, middle, and end.

• You have the right to end treatment at any time, with or without notice to your therapist.

• Ghosting culture is pervasive in our society and I encourage clients to avoid doing this as it can be helpful to practice direct and assertive communication (rather than passive or passive aggressive communication), to have a new experience of saying goodbye that is satisfying, easier, and more confident.

• However, you are in charge of session and treatment and can choose to say goodbye at anytime.

• You have the right to confidentiality except in certain cases including:

  • Imminent harm to self

  • Imminent harm to others

  • Knowledge of child abuse

  • Knowledge of elder abuse, etc.)

• In these cases, your therapist has the legal right and authorization to let the proper individuals know what you shared.

Click here to learn more about client privilege from the Washington Department of Health.

Click here to learn more about the NASW Code of Ethics for Social Worker in regards to client confidentiality (1.07 Privacy and Confidentiality).

Click here to learn more about the ACA Code of Ethics for counselors in regards to client confidentiality.

Click here to learn more about the AAMFT Code of Ethics for marriage and family therapists in regards to client confidentiality.

Click here to learn more about the APA Code of Ethics for psychologists in regards to client confidentiality.

Some therapists don’t offer consultations and prefer meeting for a first meeting to gather information to assess for fit.

If a therapist does offer a consultation, the consultation is a chance for:

• You to ask questions about the therapist about their work

• You to discuss what you expect and hope from therapy

• The therapist to assess if they can provide you the most effective appropriate level of care

• The therapist to discuss if they have the training and skills to help with your specific issue(s)

• You both to assess and feel if you are a good fit

You’ll schedule your first session in your initial consultation if you and your potential therapist mutually feel it's a good fit.

If you two decide to not move forward together, the therapist will let you know and possibly offer you referrals to other therapists.

• This session is mainly focused on information gathering.

• You’ll be asked many questions about your life. This can include:

  • Your family

  • Your support system

  • Your history of coping

  • Your barriers and challenges

  • Your concerns, symptoms, and issues

  • Past history with therapy

  • Your best hopes or goals for therapy

  • And more

As a consumer of therapy, it is your responsibility to do your due diligence and research what types of treatment you want to engage in.

You have the right to refuse any treatment you do not want, and the responsibility to choose a mental health provider and treatment modality which best suits your needs.

There are alternative types of services than those being offered by me.

Click here for a list of other types of therapies (not exhuastive).

There are in person options or telehealth/online therapy options available.

Some therapists offer 100% online therapy, others offer 100% in person therapy, and some offer a hybrid/mix of both options.

Consider and reflect on your personal preference.

Research shows online therapy for most concerns is just as effective as in person therapy.

Contact your plan directly and/or review the document plan booklet you received upon being hired (you can ask HR, call the number on the back of your insurance card, and/or log onto the insurance portal using your account number).

Click here to learn more.

You can review my referrals page for therapists who accept insurance and/or offer a reduced fee here.

If you move out of state, out of the country, or travel outside of Washington, your therapist will not be able to meet with you for online therapy due to the current law.

“Telehealth care takes place where the patient is located at the time of the appointment. This means that practice laws and requirements in the patient's location regulate healthcare professionals' practice.”

Click here to read more about telehealth/online therapy laws in Washington State.