Here are some common questions about the therapy process, including my own approach to this process in my clinical practice.
How do I know if I need therapy?
If you feel that your quality of life and/or relationships are currently hindered by certain thoughts, feelings, memories, or hardships, it is a good time to look for a therapist. I firmly believe that we ALL get to this point in at least one season of our lives. There is no shame in that, in the same way there is no shame in needing special remedies to help with a cold. Life is full of hard times; try not to give yourself a hard time for having a hard time.
How do I find the right therapist for me?
There are several factors to consider in this search. You need to consider your budget, your location, and perhaps even the mode of therapy you would like. Most importantly - and this is backed up by research - you need to find a therapist you feel comfortable with. Your human-to-human relationship determines the effectiveness of therapy more than any other factor at play. Ask yourself this: To the degree that I expressed myself in this session, did I feel seen, heard, and understood by this person? If the answer is no, or you aren’t sure, I would recommend you move along and keep looking. Hold out for the therapist who makes you think, “Okay, yes, they just get it.” You will have more progress with that therapist than their counterparts you connected less with.
How long does therapy last?
This is different for every client. I see some clients for a few months, I see others for multiple years. Every client’s story, needs, and processes are different, so therapy takes as long as it needs to take!
How often do clients go to therapy?
In my practice, we will begin with weekly sessions. Over time that will turn into bi-weekly sessions, then monthly check-in sessions. From there, my clients “graduate” from therapy, and we celebrate that together!
Why is therapy so expensive?
I hear you, and I get it! I look at it like this: You are paying someone to have access to your mind, which is perhaps the most vulnerable and precious part of who you are. If you’re like me, you will want that person to be trained in safely navigating the mind, and to be excellent at that craft! Therapists are academically trained anywhere from 2-6 years for their therapy degree, and that isn’t even counting undergraduate education. From there, therapists must gain experience through hundreds of sessions with clients under supervision before they are considered suitable for this work. That’s because the mind is delicate, sacred ground. Perhaps on the outside, a therapist looks like a professional “friend” to chat with. In that case, you’re right, they are charging an arm and a leg for just being nice to people. However, a therapist worth their session fee will be doing much more than being nice to you; they will be effectively working with your mind toward growth and health. Their training has taught them how to do so no matter what your story or struggle looks like. Lastly, I’ll add that seeking therapy is a financial investment in yourself that will hopefully pay off for the rest of your life. The majority of my current clients have had to intentionally make room in their budget to see me - I honor that, and I put my best foot forward in making our work together helpful and healing for the long haul.
Do you ever offer reduced session rates?
Yes, I do! I have a select few slots in my caseload to see clients at a reduced rate from my standard fee rate. Feel free to ask me about that via email.
What is the difference between a therapist and a life coach?
This is a wonderful question, and I know several colleagues who are trained in both fields! The simple answer is, if your history or your current state are getting in the way of where you want to be, that’s a good indicator that therapy is the most helpful next step for you. If you have done your inner work and are at peace with your history, you are satisfied with where you are in the present, but you want to make sure your future is as thriving as it can be, get yourself a life coach! They are amazing strategists and will champion you forward. I know several to recommend to you, when you are ready!
Do you prescribe psychiatric medication?
No I do not, only psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners prescribe psychiatric medication. I have referral sources for any and all of my clients incorporating medication management into their treatment.
What is your stance on psychiatric medication?
My clinical take on incorporating psychiatric medication is relatively conservative. I generally view psychiatric medication the same way I view all other pharmaceutical medications: I see them as a temporary helper while we navigate to the source of the symptoms in session. In most cases, I have found a combination of therapy work and lifestyle management (diet, exercise, healthy relationships, etc.) are the keys to being well and feeling well. According to current research, there are certain diagnoses that require medication for the diagnosed person to experience a satisfactory quality of life; I respect these findings, and I consider them the exception to my general stance stated above.
Can you be my therapist if I already know you?
This is an understandably tricky question! Nashville/Franklin are small areas, smaller than we even realize, which means I have definitely crossed paths with clients outside of therapy. Some of my colleagues are friends with people I know, some of my friends’ therapists are colleagues of mine that I also hang out with on a personal level, etc. It is impossible to entirely separate personal and professional social circles. Here’s the ethical rule of thumb regarding the therapist-client relationship: we are not able to have a “dual relationship”, both professional and personal. If we are acquaintances a few degrees removed from one another, you can be a client of mine. We can show up to the same large social gathering, we can share mutual friends, we simply cannot have a personal relationship with one another. If we do have a one-on-one personal relationship, I’ll need to refer you to a colleague a bit more distant from you relationally. This is to protect the therapeutic relationship from any sort of bias from either party. I promise you that everything works better that way!