Counseling Services

Is there any risk that our conversations will be disclosed to others, such as my job, spouse, or friends?

No, our conversations are protected by federal laws regarding privacy. Confidentiality is of the utmost importance, and I would never betray your trust by sharing information about our sessions with anyone. Federal laws on confidentiality mean that I cannot confirm or deny that I know you unless you discuss actual or suspected cases of child abuse, elder abuse, abuse of the disabled, or if somebody’s life is in immediate danger. In these cases, I am required by law to report to the appropriate authorities to ensure the safety of people potentially at risk.

How long are the counseling sessions?

Each session lasts 45 minutes, but I don’t cut you off as soon as that time is up. I leave 15 minutes between sessions to take notes and prepare for the next session. If you feel like 45 minutes isn’t enough time, we can schedule double sessions that last 90 minutes.

What happens if I bump into you in public?

I will always respect your privacy and follow your lead. If we happen to see each other in public, I won’t come up to you and say “hello” unless you initiate contact. If you do say hello, I’ll be happy to respond, but I won’t disclose any information about you to anyone you may be with.

How do I know you won’t try to keep me in counseling longer than I need to be?

I don’t see clients as revenue streams, and my goal is always to help you get to a place where you don’t need me as soon as possible. Generally, most people find that they get their needs met within 6-10 sessions. However, everyone is different, and more severe cases may require longer treatment. I will let you know when it’s time to scale back sessions, and I expect that you’ll let me know how you’re feeling as well.

If you no longer need intensive therapy but would like to continue seeing me on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis to process daily life, that’s perfectly fine as long as we’re both clear that you don’t “need” me at the therapeutic level where we started. You can also get in touch on an as-needed basis.

Can I ask you personal questions?

Of course! While our sessions are primarily about you, it’s not uncommon for clients to want to know more about their therapist. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have about my background, experience, and training, and you may even want to know a little bit about me as a person. While some questions may be too personal or may shift the focus of our sessions, I’ll be honest with you about what I can and cannot answer.

Do I need to be mindful of my language during sessions?

While I’m not easily offended, I do expect that our sessions won’t be full of unnecessary, abusive, or distracting language. Cursing is perfectly fine if it’s part of expressing your emotions and intensity. However, if I notice that it’s keeping you stuck or ramping you up, I’ll address it with you.