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.
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 tough. You might feel worried, sad, or stuck. You may not be in crisis, but something feels off, and you don’t know how to move forward. These moments often lead people to consider therapy.
Finding the right therapist can feel like dating—you might not find the best match immediately, and that’s okay. Therapy is personal, and feeling safe, heard, and understood is key to progress. The “right” therapist isn’t just about credentials or experience (though that matters).
It’s someone you trust and connect with, who listens without judgment and supports you with care. It’s normal to feel nervous at first. Signs of a good fit include feeling safe sharing tough topics, being heard and respected without feeling rushed, and the therapist being fully present. You feel free to be yourself, even with messy or confused feelings. After sessions, you may not have all answers, but gain clarity about your thoughts and feelings. Therapy is hard work, but with the right therapist, you get support without judgment.
A good therapist won’t tell you what to do—they help you discover what you want and need. They don’t have all answers but guide you to ask the right questions. They create a safe space for vulnerability and strength. If something feels off—if you feel dismissed or disconnected—it’s okay to say so. A good therapist welcomes honesty and helps 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.