What is psychotherapy?
Talking to a therapist is a great idea if you are going through something difficult, if you feel stuck or unsure about how to deal with something you are facing, or if you could use more support in your life. Talking to a therapist should feel different than talking to a helpful friend or family member because therapists are trained to help bring you new information, skills, and perspectives.

What can I expect?
intake - The first few sessions are usually a “get to know you” process. For me as a therapist, that means asking questions about your life, your background, and the topics that are bringing you to therapy, so that I can get a better understanding of both the concerns you have and also your overall psychological and emotional functioning. For you as a client, it’s an opportunity for you to clarify what is going on and what changes you would like to make. It’s also an opportunity for you to see how you feel when we meet. Therapy can be quite a personal and intimate experience, and you’ll want a therapist that you can see yourself trusting and opening up to.

goals - As I am getting a sense of the situation, I’ll give you some feedback and make some recommendations for therapy goals. This is different for every person, but some common topics include

-I think I have a mental illness. Can you diagnose me?

-Are you a psychologist?

-is it paid by insurance?