Frequently Asked (or Interesting) Questions

Q: Why don't you have official hours?

A: The simple answer is because we dont have any. The complicated answer would probably have to be combinations of believing in what I teach you as patients. Much like you, we have lives outside of therapy. We are partners/spouses, parents, coaches, teachers, educators, presenters, travelers...we have hobbies, loved ones, and lives that need nurturing too. We trust that our clinicians are actively practicing their own balance of wellness that is required to provide you as patients the best possible care. That isn't just a line or a policy for us...it's a requirement! You deserve that! In addition to that, there is a non-insignificant aspect of this job that is required to do this job CORRECTLY that isn't direct patient care- reviewing charts, consulting with other clinicians, taking notes, dealing with insurance and other billing (HUGE PITA BTW), training, maintaining licensure, and more. You want a therapist that is going to do all of these things and do them well.

Q: Why is there a cap on how much my bill can accrue before my therapist will schedule me again?

A: We have an obligation to do no harm when it comes to working with our patients. After a certain point, allowing a patient to rack up increasing amounts on their bill becomes an additional obstacle and stressor, which is counter productive to the goals of therapy. In addition, this is our livlihood. We have bills just like everyone else. To be able to continue to provide the healthy therapeutic relaitonship required for effective therapy, this obstacle cannot be hanging over the relationship. Please stay on top of your bill.

Q: How long is a therapy session?

A: Most often, individual therapy sessions run between ~45-55 minutes, Couples & Family sessions from 75-90 mins, and initial intake sessions anywhere from 60-90 (we prefer to budget for 90). The length of your therapy session depends on the type of mental health services you’re receiving. Your mental health therapist will inform you of the length of your therapy session.

For individual therapy sessions, you will be booked for one “therapeutic hour” which most typically ranges from the above listed 45 to 55 minutes. This is the actual time you will spend in session with your therapist. For the remaining part of that hour, therapists will do things like document, use the restroom, respond to phone calls and emails, and/or prepare for their next session. Remember, your therapist is a normal person too!

Q: What do I talk about in therapy?

A: The short answer is- whatever you need to.

In therapy, people often talk about what is on their mind or causing them distress. This can include mental health problems they experience, such as poor sleep or ruminative thoughts, or other stressors, such as difficulty at work, in their relationships, or with a life transition.  Your therapist will help you observe patterns in your behaviors and relationships, talk through some underlying reasons why you think, feel, or act in specific ways, and can support you in learning new ways to cope with stressors and symptoms. Therapy is a place to talk about, learn, and explore whatever is bothering you and whatever you’re curious about learning about yourself or others.

If that isn't enough, here are some (though not collectively exhaustive) examples of topics you might talk about in therapy:

• You might want to learn why you — and/or the people in your life — do the things that they do. 

• You may want to gain some understanding on your life experiences and how they impact your life now. 

• You may want to focus on your values, aspirations you have, or your needs and how to fulfill them.

• You may want to explore the messages you’re receiving from society, friends, and family members and how they affect you. 

• You may find the holidays to be a tough time and want to plan for how you can feel better during that time of year.

• You may be grieving the loss of a family member or loved one.

• You may have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder and want to better understand it and how you can thrive while living with it.

• You may have had something traumatic or distressing happen to you and want to feel better from the effects of this experience. If you have difficulty bringing this up in session, it is okay to let the therapist know you need support in discussing it at your own pace or would prefer to explore it gradually starting now or in the future.

Q: Can/Should I tell people that I go to therapy?

A: It’s up to you if you want to tell friends, family, or coworkers that you go to therapy. You should never feel pressure, nor should you feel shame or embarrassment. More people have been to therapy than you think — close to one out of four people in the US. 

So oftentimes, if you open up about what you are learning in therapy, you may find that your friends or loved ones also go to therapy. With these people, you can create new connections that help support you and your mental health. 

Discussing with others about your experiences with therapy may also encourage people to go. When they learn how beneficial it has been in your life, they may be interested in learning how therapy could improve their lives. 

Q: How do I know if this is a good fit for me or not?

A: One of the most important and overlooked aspects of therapy-I am a firm believer that you cannot grow and be comfortable. A therapist should strive for a balance of healthy support while also challenging you to grow in areas where you may be stuck, behind in development, distorted in your thinking, and many other areas. A therapist IS NOT someone who is a friend (you shouldn't pay for those), agrees with you no matter what, gives you advice about what to do in your life, prescribes or gives advice about medications without additional degrees and licensure. A therapist IS someone who provides education, consultation within their scope of practice, points out areas where you may not be practicing healthy live skills, is non-judgemental, safe, and supportive (though not always in the ways that you may want).

I can't stress this enough: if you have questions about your care, its direction, or general questions about your therapy, not only is it ok to ask, you have a responsibility to ask! Remember: The only dumb questions....are the ones you dont ask!

Until next time...

Cheers and Be Well

-JZ