Frequently Asked Questions

How can therapy help me?

 

A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. As therapists, we strive to provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, unresolved childhood issues, grief and loss, stress management, body image issues, perinatal mental health, complicating health factors and difficult life transitions. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family  or personal concerns, marital issues, and the hassles of daily life.  We can help to provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. As therapists, we provide you with tasks to complete between sessions to assist you in meeting your goals as quickly as possible. One thing that we do reinforce for all of our clients, however, is that the benefits and gains that you will receive from therapy will in part depend on the amount of effort that you are willing to put forth. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

  

• Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values

• Developing skills for improving your relationships

• Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy

• Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety

• Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures

• Improving communications and listening skills

• Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones

• Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage

• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

Do I really need therapy?  I can usually handle my problems.  

  

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired and a tremendous strength. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face. 

Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it is right for me?

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People have many different reasons for seeking therapy.   Some may be going through a major life transition (birth of a new baby, divorce, new job, major loss, new medical diagnosis, etc.), or may feel as though they are not handling stressful circumstances well.  Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, relationship problems or overwhelming stresses.  We can help provide some much needed support, validation and encouragement, as well as helping to provide you with skills to get through these periods. 

 

  

What is therapy like?

 

Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual.  In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session.  Depending on your specific needs, therapy may be short-term or longer-term, and as long as you are compliant, therapy will only be terminated once you feel that you have completed your goals. Sessions will be held weekly in the beginning of treatment, to allow us to get to know one another and as you begin making progress, we can speak about moving sessions to every-other week or monthly, as appropriate. Sessions are usually 50 minutes in length, unless a 90 minute session has been requested by the client.

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It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process.  The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life.  Therefore, beyond the work we do in therapy sessions, we may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process - such as reading a pertinent book, writing in a journal, tracking behaviors or moods, or working on interpersonal skills, amongst other things. Ultimately, we are here to help you achieve your goals and we will always work to ensure that you are feeling or seeing progress, however big or small it may be.

 

 

What about medication vs. therapy?  

 

For some people, the symptoms they are experiencing may be due to a chemical imbalance in their brain or things may feel overwhelming. Medication can be very effective at symptom management for many people, but it does not address the underlying issues as to why someone is experiencing those symptoms. Medication and therapy are most beneficial when they are used in conjunction with one another. If you are interested in medication, or if your therapist feels that you may benefit from medication, a consult with your doctor or a referral to a local psychiatrist will be discussed. If this is the case, we will have you sign a release of information so that your therapist is able to collaborate with your doctor to ensure that you get the best possible care .

 

Do you take insurance, and how does that work?

We currently only accept Cigna, Aetna and Anthem BCBS.

 

We participate as Out of network providers with some other insurances. We will be happy to provide you with a receipt or superbill that you can submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement.

 

Depending on your current health insurance provider or employee benefit plan, it is possible for services to be covered in full or in part. Please contact your provider and ask the following questions to determine your options for payment:

 

• What are my mental health benefits?

• Do I have a deductible? If so, what is it and have  met it yet?

• How many therapy sessions does my plan cover in a calendar year?

• How much will my insurance reimburse me for an out of network provider?

• Does my plan cover telehealth services?

 

Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?

 

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and therapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office.   In your intake packet, and under the "Forms" tab, we have provided a written copy of my confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone other than your particular therapist and their agency supervisor (Destiny Gillman).  This is called “Informed Consent”.  Sometimes, however, you may want me to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your Physician or another provider), but by law we cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.

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Online therapy has become an increasingly popular choice for many clients. All online sessions are offered on a secure and confidential platform. 

 

It is important to note that state law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:

• Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including DCF and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.

• If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.

• If the therapist is subpoenaed by court.

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What are the benefits of participating in online therapy sessions?

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• Convenience of appointments.  No more scrambling to get to your therapist's office or needing to  factor in the cost of gas. Many clients find it helpful that they can easily schedule a virtual session into their existing workday, so as to not take time away from their family or add to the chaotic evening routines most of us already experience.

•  It is private.  There does not exist the possibility of running into someone you know in the waiting room.

• Comfort.  You can log on from anywhere in the state of Connecticut and/or from the comfort of your own home.  This is especially beneficial if you live in a rural area and it is difficult to get into traditional, in-person therapy. This allows most clients to feel more comfortable opening up, as you can be in your personal "safe space", cuddled up with your favorite pet and do not need to worry about being late getting to an office. Important to note that clients should log on in a place where no one can eavesdrop or overhear the sensitive content of an online session.

• Reduced stigma.  Oftentimes clients may worry about the stigma of mental health and attending therapy in a more traditional office setting.

• Getting to the heart of things.  Clients who attend online therapy may feel a greater sense of anonymity and thus may feel more motivated to get the heart of the challenge more readily than in traditional therapy.  This may result in faster healing for the client and a more expedited form of therapy.

• Consistency.  If a client is sick or if there is inclement weather, there is no need to cancel as is with traditional, in-person therapy.

• Accessibility.  Online therapy allows many clients to overcome barriers that may have otherwise prevented them from seeking therapy.

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What are some of the disadvantages, concerns or disclaimers about online therapy?

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• It is important to note that online therapy may not be a good fit for some clients.  With this in mind, we may be able to offer a free consultation, pending the therapists ability to do so, to determine if online therapy may be a good fit for you. 

• Since we offer online therapy for the whole state of Connecticut, online therapy can place the therapist and client at a distance geographically, so it is oftentimes difficult to respond quickly and effectively when a crisis happens. For example, if a client is experiencing suicidal thoughts and/or has suffered a personal tragedy, it can be difficult or even impossible for the therapist to provide direct or even immediate assistance.

• Online therapy is not appropriate for clients with severe psychiatric conditions who require more close and direct treatment, nor is it appropriate for individuals that are actively suicidal or homicidal.

• Online therapy may not be a good fit for you if you are not comfortable with technology.  To ease this discomfort,  we may be able to offer a free consultation online through a secure and confidential platform (if therapist schedule allows) to allow you to test the waters and determine if online therapy will be a good fit for you.

• Connectivity and reliability of your online service provider.  Clients will need to ensure they have the proper internet speed in order to reliably connect to an online session.  With this, if you can stream a Netflix movie, you should be good to go; however, your therapist will review a plan should a technology issue arise.

• Lack of body language and the possibility for miscommunication.  While this is a valid concern, it may be easily remedied with consistent, open, and honest communication with me, as your therapist and may require clarifying when needed.