Frequently Asked Questions
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of therapy. In order for therapy to be effective, it requires a safe space built on trust. What you share in sessions is private and will not be disclosed without your written permission. This is outlined in a document called Informed Consent, which you’ll receive at the start of therapy.
With your written consent, your therapist may coordinate care with other professionals on your team—such as a physician, naturopath, or attorney—when appropriate. However, there are a few important exceptions to confidentiality required by law and professional ethics. A therapist is legally obligated to break confidentiality in the following situations: Suspected abuse or neglect of a child, dependent adult, or elder. This must be reported to the appropriate authorities. Serious threat of harm to yourself or others. If there is a credible risk, steps must be taken to ensure safety.
We are committed to protecting your privacy and will always discuss any required disclosures with you whenever possible.
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 offers a supportive, collaborative space to explore challenges, gain insight, and grow. Whether you’re facing emotional difficulties or seeking personal development, working with a therapist can provide meaningful benefits tailored to your unique needs.
People come to therapy for many reasons—depression, anxiety, relationship struggles, past trauma, grief, stress, body image issues, creative blocks, and more. Therapy can help you manage these challenges while also enhancing personal growth and day-to-day resilience.
A skilled therapist can offer a fresh perspective, practical tools, and guidance toward solutions. The impact of therapy depends not only on the therapist’s approach but also on your engagement with the process and willingness to apply 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 been thinking about therapy for a while, but you’re not quite sure if it’s something you really need. You might be wondering, “Is what I’m going through serious enough?” or “Would it even help?” These are completely valid questions—and the truth is, therapy isn’t only for people in crisis. It’s for anyone who wants to better understand themselves, navigate challenges with more support, or simply feel more aligned and grounded in their life.
Here are a few gentle signs that therapy might be right for you:
- You feel overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally stuck—and it’s starting to affect your daily life or relationships.
- You’re going through a life change, loss, or transition that feels difficult to process on your own.
- You keep repeating certain patterns—whether in relationships, habits, or ways of thinking—and you’re not sure how to shift them.
- You’re functioning “fine” on the outside, but internally, you feel disconnected, numb, or like something is missing.
- You crave a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore your thoughts, emotions, or past experiences.
- You simply want to feel better—more confident, more centered, more yourself.
Therapy isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about giving yourself permission to ask the questions. It’s a space where you don’t have to perform, fix, or figure it all out right away. It’s a place to be heard, to be seen, and to begin making sense of your inner world.
If you’re even asking yourself whether therapy might help, that curiosity alone is often a sign that you’re ready to explore it. You don’t have to be in crisis. You just have to be open to growth—and willing to take that first step toward deeper understanding and change.
Both psychiatrists and psychologists are trained professionals who help people manage mental health challenges, but they differ in their education, training, and the types of services they provide.
Psychiatrists: Medical Doctors Who Can Prescribe
Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs or DOs) who specialize in mental health. They’ve completed medical school and a residency in psychiatry, which means they’re trained in diagnosing mental health conditions and understanding the biological factors that contribute to them. One of the key distinctions is that psychiatrists can prescribe medication.
What they do: Diagnose mental illnesses, prescribe and manage medications, and sometimes provide therapy.
When you might see one: If you’re dealing with complex or severe mental health conditions (like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or major depression) that may require medication or close medical monitoring.
Psychologists: Experts in Therapy and Behavior
Psychologists typically hold a doctoral degree in psychology (PhD, PsyD, or EdD), and they are not medical doctors. Their training focuses on therapy, psychological testing, and understanding emotional, cognitive, and behavioral functioning. They do not prescribe medication in most states, though some may have prescribing rights with additional training in a few jurisdictions.
What they do: Provide talk therapy, conduct psychological assessments, and help with emotional and behavioral issues.
When you might see one: If you’re seeking therapy for anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, trauma, personal growth, or want a psychological evaluation.
In Summary:
Psychiatrist = medical doctor + medication + diagnosis + some therapy
Psychologist = therapy + assessment + behavioral/emotional focus
There are times in life when everything feels like too much. Maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or weighed down by a sadness you can’t quite shake. Or perhaps you’re not in a crisis, but something still feels off—like you’re stuck in a loop, unsure of how to move forward. These are often the moments when people begin to consider therapy.
You might find yourself navigating a big life transition—leaving a relationship, starting a new job, becoming a parent, or coping with a loss. Even positive changes can stir up old wounds or bring new challenges to the surface. Or you may be facing stress in your relationships, struggling to connect with a partner, dealing with ongoing conflict in your family, or feeling increasingly isolated despite being surrounded by people.
For others, the signs are more internal. You may notice patterns you want to change habits that don’t serve you, persistent self-doubt, or a constant sense of pressure to “hold it all together.” Perhaps you’ve started to feel like you’re simply surviving your days rather than living them with intention and clarity. Maybe you’ve tried to push through, to keep going—but now you’re realizing that doing it alone isn’t working anymore.
And sometimes, the pull toward therapy is rooted in something quieter—a desire to grow, to understand yourself better, to live more authentically. You don’t need to have a crisis to benefit from therapy. Many people seek it simply because they’re ready to invest in themselves, to explore what matters most, and to find new ways to thrive.
Whatever your reason, reaching out for therapy is a powerful step. It means you’re willing to look inward, to be honest about where you are, and to open yourself up to the possibility of change. Therapy offers a safe and supportive space to work through the hard things, strengthen your resilience, and move toward a life that feels more grounded, connected, and true to you.
Finding the right therapist can feel a bit like dating—you might not always find the best fit on the first try, and that’s okay. Therapy is a deeply personal process, and feeling safe, heard, and understood by your therapist is essential to getting the most out of it.
The “right” therapist isn’t just someone with impressive credentials or years of experience (though those matter, too). It’s someone with whom you feel a genuine sense of connection and trust—someone who sees you without judgment and walks beside you with empathy, curiosity, and care.
In the early sessions, it’s perfectly normal to feel a little nervous or unsure. But over time, you might begin to notice some of the following signs that this therapist is a good fit:
You feel emotionally safe, even when discussing difficult topics.
You don’t feel rushed, dismissed, or “talked at.” Instead, you feel listened to and respected.
Your therapist is present with you—not distracted, not checking boxes, but really with you.
You feel encouraged to be yourself—even the messy or confused parts of you.
You leave sessions with a deeper understanding of your thoughts, feelings, or patterns—even if you don’t have all the answers yet.
The work might be challenging at times (therapy often is), but you still feel supported, not judged.
A good therapist won’t tell you what to do with your life—they’ll help you clarify what you want and need. They won’t have all the answers—but they’ll help you ask the right questions. And they’ll create a space where you can be both vulnerable and empowered.
If something doesn’t feel right—if you feel dismissed, misunderstood, or just don’t feel a connection—it’s okay to bring that up. A good therapist will welcome your honesty and help you decide what’s best for you, even if that means helping you find someone else.
Trust your instincts. The right therapist for you is out there, and you deserve to work with someone who makes you feel truly seen.
Both psychiatrists and psychologists are trained professionals who help people manage mental health challenges, but they differ in their education, training, and the types of services they provide.
Psychiatrists: Medical Doctors Who Can Prescribe
Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs or DOs) who specialize in mental health. They’ve completed medical school and a residency in psychiatry, which means they’re trained in diagnosing mental health conditions and understanding the biological factors that contribute to them. One of the key distinctions is that psychiatrists can prescribe medication.
What they do: Diagnose mental illnesses, prescribe and manage medications, and sometimes provide therapy.
When you might see one: If you’re dealing with complex or severe mental health conditions (like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or major depression) that may require medication or close medical monitoring.
Psychologists: Experts in Therapy and Behavior
Psychologists typically hold a doctoral degree in psychology (PhD, PsyD, or EdD), and they are not medical doctors. Their training focuses on therapy, psychological testing, and understanding emotional, cognitive, and behavioral functioning. They do not prescribe medication in most states, though some may have prescribing rights with additional training in a few jurisdictions.
What they do: Provide talk therapy, conduct psychological assessments, and help with emotional and behavioral issues.
When you might see one: If you’re seeking therapy for anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, trauma, personal growth, or want a psychological evaluation.
In Summary:
Psychiatrist = medical doctor + medication + diagnosis + some therapy
Psychologist = therapy + assessment + behavioral/emotional focus