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How often do we meet for therapy? — Most people start with weekly sessions, especially at the beginning. As things improve, sessions often shift to every other week or “as needed,” depending on your goals, schedule, and what support feels most helpful.

Common rhythms:

  • Weekly (One to two sessions): building momentum, higher stress, active symptoms, or new skills
  • Every other week: maintenance, integration, steadier symptoms
  • Periodic check-ins: as-needed support once you’re stable

We’ll choose a pace that feels effective and sustainable.

#what-to-expect#planningPublished Dec 12, 2025

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How long does therapy take? — It depends on your goals and what you’re working on. Some people come for a focused stretch of therapy over a few months, while others prefer longer-term work to understand patterns and build lasting change.
  • Short-term (often 6–12 sessions): skill-building, decision points, specific symptoms, or a clear goal.
  • Medium-term (3–6 months): deeper coping, relationship patterns, stress cycles, and sustained changes.
  • Longer-term: complex histories, longstanding patterns, identity/relational work, or ongoing support.

A good plan is something we revisit together as your needs evolve.

#what-to-expect#planningPublished Dec 12, 2025

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Will I receive a written report? — Yes. You’ll receive a clear, practical written report that you can use for personal clarity, treatment planning, and—when appropriate—documentation for accommodations.
  • Reports typically include results, interpretation, diagnoses (when applicable), and concrete recommendations.
  • Feedback is part of the process—so you leave understanding what the results mean and what to do next.
#assessment#report#feedbackPublished Dec 12, 2025

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How long does an assessment take? — Many assessments involve 2–4 appointments plus a feedback session, depending on complexity and your referral question. I’ll outline the expected timeline at the start so you know what to expect.
  • Timing depends on the scope of testing, records review, and the questions we’re trying to answer.
  • I aim to keep the process efficient while still thorough enough to be genuinely useful.
#assessment#what-to-expect#planningPublished Dec 12, 2025

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What kinds of assessments do you offer? — I offer psychological assessments tailored to your referral question, including ADHD and Autism evaluation, learning concerns, diagnostic clarification, and broader mental health assessment.

Common referral questions include:

  • ADHD and attention/executive functioning
  • Autism
  • Learning or academic concerns
  • Diagnostic clarification (mood, anxiety, trauma-related concerns, etc.)
  • General psychological functioning and treatment planning
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How do I choose the right kind of therapy? — Start with the therapist, not the technique. A good therapist will explain how they work, collaborate with you, and adjust the approach as therapy unfolds.
  • If you like structure, ask for tools and a clear plan.
  • If you want depth, ask about relational patterns and “why this keeps happening.”
  • If you’re not sure, it’s okay—therapy can start broad and become more focused as you go.
#types-of-therapyPublished Dec 12, 2025

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Which type of therapy works best for anxiety or depression? — Several approaches can help anxiety and depression. One of the strongest predictors of improvement is the quality of the therapeutic relationship—feeling understood, safe, and engaged in the work.
  • Many people benefit from a mix of skill-building (to manage symptoms) and deeper work (to understand patterns and stressors).
  • The “best” approach is usually the one you can stick with and apply outside sessions.
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What’s the difference between CBT, ACT, and psychodynamic therapy? — CBT focuses on thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going, ACT helps you relate differently to difficult thoughts while moving toward values, and psychodynamic therapy explores how past experiences shape current patterns and relationships. Many therapists integrate these approaches.
  • CBT: practical patterns + skills for change
  • ACT: acceptance + values-based action
  • Psychodynamic: insight into emotional/relational patterns

In real therapy, the approach often shifts depending on what you need most.

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What questions should I ask a potential therapist? — Ask about their approach, how they tailor therapy, their experience with your concerns, and what early sessions typically look like. The goal is to understand how they think and whether you feel comfortable with them.

You might ask:

  • What is your approach to therapy?
  • How do you tailor therapy for different people?
  • What experience do you have with concerns like mine?
  • What can I expect in the first few sessions?
  • How do we know if we’re making progress?
#finding-a-therapist#consultationPublished Dec 12, 2025

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Should I choose a therapist based on their approach (CBT, ACT, psychodynamic, etc.)? — Approach can matter, but fit matters more. Many therapists integrate methods, and what helps most is a strong working relationship and a plan that matches your goals.
  • If you’re a “tools and skills” person, you might like a more structured approach.
  • If you want to understand deeper patterns, you might prefer a more exploratory style.
  • A good therapist can tell you how they’d approach your concerns—and adapt as you go.
#finding-a-therapist#therapy-approachesPublished Dec 12, 2025

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How do I know if a therapist is a good fit? — You should feel safe, respected, and understood—not judged or rushed. Fit matters a lot, and a good therapist invites curiosity and collaboration rather than pressure.
  • You don’t need instant comfort, but you should feel basic emotional safety and a sense that the therapist is genuinely tracking you.
  • It’s also a good sign if the therapist can explain how they work and adjust when something isn’t helping.
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How do I know if therapy is working? — Signs include feeling more grounded, more understood, and more able to approach challenges. You might notice better communication, fewer spikes in distress, or clearer boundaries.
  • Therapy “working” isn’t always feeling better every week—it can also look like responding differently when life is hard.
  • Helpful signs: more self-understanding, more flexibility, and a growing sense that you have options.
  • If you’re unsure, it’s completely appropriate to talk openly about progress and goals.
#what-to-expect#first-sessionsPublished Dec 12, 2025

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What happens in the first month of therapy? — Early sessions usually focus on building trust, clarifying what you want help with, and getting a shared plan in place. Many people start noticing small shifts—more clarity, better coping, or steadier emotions—within a few weeks.
  • In the first few sessions, you’ll usually talk through what’s bringing you in, what’s worked before, and what you’d like to be different.
  • You may also start practicing a few concrete tools while you and your therapist learn what helps you most.
  • Progress often looks like “small but real” changes at first.
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Is starting therapy supposed to feel uncomfortable? — Yes—some discomfort is common. Therapy slows things down and brings attention to areas you may have been pushing aside, and a good therapist helps that feel manageable rather than overwhelming.
  • It can feel strange to talk openly with someone new, especially if you’re used to handling things alone.
  • The goal isn’t to flood you—it’s to build capacity, pace the work, and help you feel more steady over time.
  • If sessions consistently feel too intense, that’s useful feedback to bring into the room.
#starting-therapy#first-sessions#what-to-expectPublished Dec 12, 2025

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These answers are meant to provide general information, not individualized psychological advice or treatment.

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