F.A.Q
HOW DOES PSYCHOTHERAPY WORK?
Psychotherapy includes a number of different types of therapy. Each one uses techniques intended to help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings, and some focus on making changes in behavior. And each psychotherapy has a theory for how those changes take place.
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Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) helps people become aware of their feelings and thoughts in order to change their behaviors. Specifically, cognitive behavior therapists use techniques and give clients tools to decrease self-defeating behaviors and increase adaptive ones.
HOW DOES PSYCHOTHERAPY HELP YOU?
Psychotherapy at its best, reduces suffering as efficiently as possible, enhances existing strengths, and teaches you skills you don’t have yet that you need to build the life you want.
So the goal is really to help the client reduce suffering and increase well being currently in psychotherapy in session with therapeutic techniques and with suggested exercises in between sessions.
Work in between sessions is done to speed up the healing process and to cultivate self-confidence, real world practice, and greater independence. With enough practice clients learn how to use the skills to take care of themselves so they can leave therapy confident they can use the tools themselves as needed, while always knowing if additional support is needed they can return. But independence and autonomy are stressed. Therapy isn't meant to decrease a client’s abilities or foster dependency.
WHAT CAN I DISCUSS IN THERAPY?
Anything can be discussed in therapy. There is great flexibility about topics. With that said, we will be goal focused. Without being overly rigid, we will navigate back to the goals and the agenda when we go off course. If something new comes up though, we will simply add it to the agenda in order to incorporate it into the longer-term goals.
WHAT HAPPENS IN A THERAPY SESSION?
A therapy session has many tasks embedded in an hour long time frame. The activities that take place within a session typically vary with client goals and needs. Clients develop a treatment plan with the therapist to address the issues that brought them to treatment. The usual module that is followed is a 1-3 sessions of history taking, 2-4 sessions (if needed) of assessment and formulation , and 6-8 sessions of treatment. A typical session starts with a brief check-in and homework review.
Then, the session proceeds to working on a specific issue identified during check-in and homework review.
The work may involve processing something with the therapist directly or reviewing/learning new skills. The therapist may spend part of the session teaching specific skills that the client can use to manage various problems. The client may role play these skills during session with the therapist and practice them for homework. Session time is also used to connect, validate and process the weekly or past intrusions and learn how to adaptively deal with the information in an adaptive way.
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It is important that the client takes time between sessions to practice skills and to reflect on the content of the session. For therapy to "work," the client must be an active participant inside and outside the session.
HOW CAN A THERAPIST HELP ME?
Therapy offers a number of benefits both short-term and long-term. A therapist can teach you coping skills for managing symptoms. Therapy can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. Many people find therapy to be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, and the hassles of daily life.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THE FIRST SESSION?
During our first session together, I will want to get to know you, your goals, and why you are coming to therapy. I will go over important aspects of therapy including confidentiality, informed consent, and my cancellation policy. I will help you understand the benefits and risks of therapy while giving you the space to share what has been going on for you. At the end of our session, I will give you an idea of how I think I can help, what therapeutic tools I plan to start with, and I will always work collaboratively with you throughout the process.
IS THERE AN OPTION OF GETTING A DISCOUNT?
I have a few slots available for sliding scale sessions. I offer sliding scale fees for those in financial need. Please get in touch with me if you have any questions about sliding scale fees. Discounts are also applicable for bulk advance payment of 6 or more sessions.
HOW DOES BOOKING AN APPOINTMENT WORK?
Feel free to get in touch with me via phone, text, or email. I aim to respond within 24 hours to answer any questions or to schedule an initial phone consultation at a time that works best for you. From there, you can decide whether you would like to book an appointment. A form needs to be filled out prior to the first session. Once an appointment is booked, you will receive a confirmation email/ text.
DO YOU HAVE A CANCELLATION POLICY?
Yes. Please note that with the exemption of emergency circumstances, clients will be charged the full session fee, for late cancellations (within 24 hours notice) or no-shows. This is also mentioned in the professional agreement that clients will be signing prior to the first session.
HOW LONG DOES EACH THERAPY SESSION TAKE?
Typically, an individual session lasts between 45-60 minutes. Couple sessions are 60-75 minutes long.
WHAT IS THEÂ FREQUENCY OF THERAPY?
CBT usually requires a weekly attendance of sessions. However, this can be increased during history taking and crisis situations. As improvement occurs, one can taper the frequency before terminating therapy successfully.
HOW MANY SESSIONS ARE REQUIRED?
Typically, therapy does not follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Each person is different and so are their circumstances and issues. However, CBT is a time-limited form of therapy- so depending on the concerns presented, an average of 12-20 sessions is usually how long it lasts.
WHAT METHODS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?
I accept payments by cash, G-pay, Paytm or e-transfer.
SHOULD I SEE A THERAPIST OR A PSYCHIATRIST?
This question differs depending on the person, symptoms, diagnosis, etc. The important thing if you are experiencing symptoms is to see a qualified professional who can accurately assess what you are experiencing and then recommend the appropriate kind of treatment.
A psychiatrist, who is a medical doctor, can prescribe medication to treat mental health disorders. So if it is determined you need medication, a psychiatrist is necessary. For certain cases, a combination of medication and therapy forms the best treatment.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IT IS TIME TO STOP THERAPY?
Typically, therapy stops when treatment goals have been met. An objective as well as subjective improvement is noted and distress is alleviated. It is considered good practice to plan for tapering of sessions (reducing the frequency) before termination.
IS WHAT I TELL MY THERAPIST KEPT CONFIDENTIAL?
Perhaps the most important element in therapy is developing a sense of trust with your therapist. What you share with your therapist remains confidential for exactly this reason. Before your first session you will be given a written document to review which describes the agreement about confidentiality that you will have with your therapist. With the exception of certain special circumstances as mandated by law and to coordinate treatment with a treating psychiatrist, if needed, your therapist will not discuss your private information with anyone other than you.