Frequently Asked Questions
Confidentiality is very important in therapy. Therapy works best when you feel safe and trust your therapist. What you say in sessions stays private and won’t be shared without your written permission. This is explained in a paper called Informed Consent, which you will get at the start of therapy.
With your permission, your therapist may talk to other professionals helping you—like a doctor, naturopath, or lawyer—when needed. But there are some important legal exceptions. A therapist must break confidentiality if they suspect abuse or neglect of a child, dependent adult, or elder. They must report this to the right authorities. Also, if there is a serious risk of harm to you or others, the therapist must take steps to keep everyone safe.
Our telehealth services allow you to receive quality mental health care from the comfort of your own home. While you do not need a computer or a laptop, it is encouraged that you have one as it makes it easier to engage in therapy.
PSYPACT enables licensed psychologists to provide telepsychology services across state lines to increase access to care.
We are happy to work with clients who have insurance, though coverage can vary widely. To understand how your mental health benefits apply, we recommend contacting your insurance provider directly. Here are a few important questions to ask:
What are my mental health benefits?
How much does my plan cover per therapy session?
Is there a limit to the number of sessions per year?
Do I have out-of-network coverage? If so, what is the reimbursement rate?
Is a referral or pre-authorization required from my primary care physician?
We can provide you with a superbill (an itemized receipt) to submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement, depending on your plan.
Therapy is a safe and supportive place to talk about problems, understand yourself better, and grow. Whether you are dealing with feelings or want to improve your life, a therapist can help in ways that fit your needs.
People go to therapy for many reasons, such as sadness, worry, relationship issues, past hurts, grief, stress, body image, or creative blocks. Therapy can help you handle these problems and also build strength for everyday life.
A good therapist gives new ideas, useful tools, and guidance to find solutions. Therapy works best when you take part and try to use what you learn.
-Deepening self-awareness and clarifying your goals and values
-Learning to build and maintain healthier relationships
-Resolving past or present challenges that brought you to therapy
-Developing tools to better manage anxiety, stress, and overwhelm
-Processing emotions such as anger, grief, or sadness in healthier ways
-Improving communication and active listening skills
-Letting go of old, unhelpful patterns and replacing them with effective habits
-Navigating family or marital issues with more confidence and clarity
-Strengthening self-esteem and building authentic self-confidence
Therapy is not just about addressing what’s wrong—it’s also about discovering what’s possible.
Maybe you’ve thought about therapy but aren’t sure if you need it. You might ask, “Is my problem big enough?” or “Will therapy help me?” These questions are normal. Therapy is not just for people in crisis. It is for anyone who wants to understand themselves better, handle challenges with support, or feel more balanced in life.
Here are a few gentle signs that therapy might be right for you:
- You feel overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck emotionally, and it’s starting to affect your daily life or relationships.
- You are going through a life change, loss, or transition that is hard to handle alone.
- You keep repeating the same patterns—in relationships, habits, or thoughts—and don’t know how to change them.
- You seem “fine” on the outside, but inside, you feel disconnected, numb, or like something is missing.
- You want a safe, nonjudgmental place to explore your thoughts, feelings, or past experiences.
- You just want to feel better—more confident, more balanced, more like yourself.
Therapy is not about knowing all the answers. It’s about allowing yourself to ask questions. It’s a safe space where you don’t need to pretend, fix everything, or understand it all at once. It’s a place to be listened to, to be noticed, and to start understanding your feelings.
If you are wondering if therapy could help, that question itself often means you are ready to try it. You don’t need to be in a crisis. You just need to be open to growing and ready to take the first step toward understanding yourself better and making changes.
Both psychiatrists and psychologists are trained to help with mental health, but they differ in education, training, and services.
Psychiatrists: Medical Doctors Who Can Prescribe
Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs or DOs) who specialize in mental health. They complete medical school and a psychiatry residency. They diagnose mental health conditions and understand biological causes. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication.
What they do: Diagnose mental illnesses, prescribe and manage medications, sometimes offer therapy.
When to see one: For complex or severe conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or major depression that may need medication or close medical care.
Psychologists: Therapy and Behavior Experts
Psychologists usually have a doctoral degree in psychology (PhD, PsyD, or EdD). They are not medical doctors. Their training focuses on therapy, psychological testing, and understanding emotions, thoughts, and behavior. Most cannot prescribe medication, though some may with extra training in certain areas.
What they do: Provide talk therapy, do psychological assessments, support emotional and behavioral issues.
When to see one: For therapy for anxiety, depression, relationship problems, trauma, personal growth, or psychological testing.
In Short:
Psychiatrist = medical doctor + medication + diagnosis + some therapy
Psychologist = therapy + assessment + focus on behavior and emotions
Sometimes life feels hard. You might feel worried, sad, or stuck. You may not be in a crisis, but something feels wrong, and you don’t know how to move on. These times often make people think about therapy.
You might be going through a big change—ending a relationship, starting a new job, becoming a parent, or dealing with loss. Even good changes can bring old pain or new problems. Or you might feel stressed in your relationships, have trouble connecting with a partner, face family fights, or feel lonely even around others.
For some, the signs are inside. You might notice habits you want to change, feel doubtful about yourself, or feel like you always have to hold it together. Maybe you feel like you are just getting through each day instead of living with meaning. You might have tried to handle it alone, but now see you need help.
Sometimes, the reason for therapy is quieter. You might want to grow, understand yourself better, or live more honestly. You don’t have to be in crisis to ask for help. Many people go to therapy to invest in themselves and find new ways to grow.
No matter the reason, reaching out for therapy is a brave step. It shows you want to look inside, be honest about your situation, and be open to change. Therapy gives you a safe, supportive space to work through problems, build strength, and move toward a life that feels true and connected to you.
Finding the right therapist can feel like dating—you might not find the best match right away, and that’s okay. Therapy is personal, and feeling safe, heard, and understood is key to making progress. The “right” therapist isn’t just someone with good credentials or experience (though that matters).
It’s someone you trust and connect with—someone who listens without judging and supports you with care and curiosity. In the first sessions, it’s normal to feel nervous or unsure. Over time, signs of a good fit include You feel safe sharing even hard topics. You don’t feel rushed or ignored. You feel listened to and respected. Your therapist is fully present with you, not distracted. You feel free to be yourself, even your messy or confused parts. You leave sessions with more clarity about your thoughts and feelings, even if you don’t have all the answers. The work can be tough, but you feel supported, not judged.
A good therapist won’t tell you what to do—they help you figure out what you want and need. They don’t have all the answers but help you ask the right questions. They create a safe space for vulnerability and strength. If something feels off—if you feel dismissed or don’t connect—it’s okay to say so. A good therapist will welcome your honesty and help you decide what’s best, even if that means finding someone else. Trust your feelings. The right therapist is out there, and you deserve someone who truly sees you.
Policies & Privacy
For more detail about how we protect your information and use your data, you can review our HIPAA notice and privacy policy below.
HIPAA Notice
Learn about your rights and how we safeguard your protected health information.
Privacy Policy
Details on how we use, store, and protect information on this site and in our practice.