FAQ

Online Therapy ServicesFrequently Asked Questions

I’m nervous about starting therapy. Is that normal?

It’s totally normal to be nervous about starting therapy. It can feel intimidating to sit with someone and talk about how you feel. The fear around that can feel overwhelming. It takes courage to start going to therapy. The fact that you are on this website, looking for help, and reading this right now shows that you are being brave and seeking help.

Therapy is a space where you can be yourself and bring up whatever is going on for you, including feeling nervous. Our therapists are committed to finding a way to care for your nervousness and ensure sessions are as comfortable as possible.

We’re here if you want to talk about it During your call with us, in your email or in the form you’ve completed.

How do I know if one of your therapists could be the right fit for me?

Take your time to read through our website. If you sense that we could help you, you can reach out.

During your call with us, in your email or in the form you’ve completed, you’ll be able to share what’s going on with you. Once we understand your needs, we will help you choose the therapist that is right for you. Or if you already have a therapist in mind, you may request them.

You can also ask us more about our therapists. You might be curious about their approach or what a typical session with them is like.

The first sessions are kind of like an overview of what made you pickup the phone, what brings you in and ideally, get a sense of what you’d like to get out of therapy. During the sessions, you’ll be able to get a sense of the therapist’s style and see how this feels. Every therapist’s approach is not going to work for everyone. What’s most important to us is that you find the right fit for you. You can explore this with your scheduled therapist.

What if I don't want to talk about something?

It’s normal if you don’t feel ready to share everything

During sessions you never have to talk about something you’re not comfortable talking about. It’s our job to give you space to slowly start to work through the tough stuff. Gradually and at a pace that feels comfortable to you, you can share what you feel ready to share.

You can also share with your therapist that you are nervous to open up about something and they will be able to talk about that too. Whatever is present for you. Whatever you are going through. Bring that to session and you can explore with your therapist.

I’m scared that if I open up, my therapist will think I’m crazy.

If you open up to your therapist, they will not think you are crazy, they will think you are courageous and human. We know this because many of our clients have had the same fear (that people would think they are crazy).

We know that what you are going through is common through many years of working with people like you. This is all very normal. Nothing you can say will cause your therapist to judge you. Nobody’s perfect, we all struggle. We all have our strengths and limitations.

Whatever it is you’re going through, we provide a safe space where you can feel heard and supported without judgment.

FAQ

How long will therapy take?

You might be asking about how long therapy will take because you are having a difficult time and need help now. On average, our new clients start seeing positive effects after the first couple of sessions. By that point, they feel like they have learned some ways to manage challenging stuff in their lives a bit better.

The total duration of therapy varies from client to client. Some of our clients find 3-6 weeks to be enough to resolve immediate challenges. While other clients feel more supported by longer term therapy. You can work together with your therapist to find the length of time that works for you.

What can I expect during the first session?

Overall, you can think of the first session as a free-flowing conversation through which you and your therapist can start getting to know each other. Your therapist will invite you to share more about yourself and you can also share what’s worked or not worked for your mental health in the past.

Some questions that your therapist may ask during a first session include:

What brought you to therapy?
Have you gone to therapy before? How did that go?
What do I need to know about you to understand your current challenges?

You can ask your therapist questions as well. You might be curious about if the therapist has experience with your concerns and how future sessions work.

The most important part of a first session is to experience what therapy is like with your therapist. If you feel supported, seen, and at-ease with your therapist, you can discuss if you’d like to meet again.

Is Medication a Substitute for Therapy?

In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. It’s important to work with your medical doctor or psychiatrist to determine what might be the best fit for you. It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of your distress and the behavior patterns that curb your progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.

Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?

We highly respect your privacy and value your trust.

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from you, the client.

It can be concerning sharing feelings or things you say in therapy could get out, so we want you to know that unless there is an imminent danger to yourself or someone else, everything you share with your therapist is completely confidential.

The exceptions required by law to this rule are:

suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately
If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.
If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.

If you have specific questions about how confidentiality works, you can ask during your call with us, in your email or in the form you’ve completed or at any time.