Frequently Asked Questions

There is nothing wrong with you (or your child)! Seeing a therapist just means that you need some additional support. That may mean that it would be helpful for you to have a place where you feel comfortable and safe talking through what’s going on in your life or maybe it means that you need to learn some new skills, that when applied can make you feel more confident and happier. Often times it’s a combination of both of these things. Whatever you need, we can figure out together how best to support you.

The best way to start to know is by reading through the information on this website. It should give you a pretty good feel for me and how I work with my clients. If you get the sense that I might be able to help, then reach out for a free consultation (and I promise I won’t pressure you to work with me). You can briefly share what the challenges you’re facing right now are and I can answer any questions you might have. The consultation is a time that we can get to know each other a little more to explore this exact question.

If you still feel that I can help, great, we can move on to booking a first appointment. If you don’t though, or I don’t feel like I can properly meet your needs, that’s ok too. I can try to refer you to another therapist that hopefully can.

I generally give you the option of speaking on the phone or virtually meeting through a HIPPA secure telehealth platform. It is up to you which you’d prefer, however I think meeting virtually can give you a better sense of me and how comfortable you feel as we talk. Either way, phone or virtually, is completely fine though. If you are seeking therapy for your teen or family therapy, they are welcome to take part in the consultation as well.

You’ll have the opportunity to briefly share what the challenges you’re facing right now are and the help you’re looking for. You can also ask any questions you might have, about the therapeutic process or me as a clinician. We’ll then discuss what the next steps might be. Generally, this is either scheduling a first session or I may be able to offer you a referral or two if you or I feel that’s more appropriate.

If you and I feel it is a good fit and we schedule your first session, then I will send you a link to a client portal and some intake paperwork. I ask that you complete the paperwork at least 24 hours in advance of our first appointment. This will give me time to properly review it before we meet so that we can make the most of our time together.

After scheduling the initial consultation, the only thing you’ll need to do prior to it is decide if you’d like it to be over the phone or virtually through a HIPPA secure telehealth platform.

After the initial consultation, if you and I feel it is a good fit and we schedule your first appointment, then I will send you a link to a client portal and some intake paperwork. I ask that you complete the paperwork at least 24 hours in advance of our first session. This will give me time to properly review it before we meet so that we can make the most of our time together.

The first appointment is the Comprehensive In-Take Appointment. We’ll begin by going over the paperwork I sent you, and you filled out, ahead of our scheduled time together. I do this for a couple of reasons. First, it allows you to ask any questions you might have had as you filled it out, as well as for me to ask any questions that I had when I reviewed it. It also allows me to ensure that you fully understood the policies, informed consent, and confidentiality. We can then delve deeper into your struggles, exploring the specifics, your background, and how you would like things to change. At the end of the appointment, we will discuss what therapy will look like going forward and I can answer any questions you may have.

If you are seeking therapy for your teen, we may meet all together, individually, or a combination of both. This will be determined after the consultation call.

Usually, sessions are 50 minutes and we meet weekly. This frequency allows for the therapeutic momentum to build. However, everyone’s needs are different, so this is decided on a case-by-case basis, and other frequencies, such as every other week instead, can be considered. Some individuals prefer longer sessions than the usual 50 minutes, which can also be considered.

Yes, I have an office in Manchester, NH and am happy to meet in-person if you’d like.

Yes, online sessions are available, both as the main method for therapy or as a “back-up” for in-person sessions (ie if a snow storm makes travel difficult – We do live in New England after all!).

You’ll begin by creating an online, confidential account on the practice management system I use. Here, you’ll complete online forms, manage scheduling, share files, and send direct messages to me that are HIPPA secure.

Once we’ve scheduled our online appointment, you will receive a link via text and/or email depending on your preference shortly prior to our session to login to the virtual office. You’re welcome to download the app on your device when prompted or use a typical web browser.

We’ll then meet on a secure video platform. I will conduct sessions from a private office to ensure your privacy and confidentiality. You will have the freedom to be on your device in the comfort of your home, office, school, or even your car (as long as you are parked). Anywhere that you feel safe and comfortable! It is vitally important that wherever you choose to be though, you must be in a location that affords you privacy so that you feel comfortable fully expressing yourself and so that it will maintain your confidentiality.

• Online therapy is available through the HIPPA compliant practice management system I use, which offers a convenient portal and app.

• In order to participate in online therapy you will need a computer, tablet, or smartphone device that has a high-speed internet connection.

• Some clients prefer to use an external microphone and headphones/earbuds to increase audio performance and help in maintaining privacy (please remember, headphones only help maintain privacy with what you hear, not with what you say)

• Before our scheduled appointment, you will receive a secure link to your personalized portal where we will meet.

• As I mentioned above, it is vitally important that wherever you choose to be during the session, you must be in a location that affords you privacy so that you feel comfortable fully expressing yourself and so that it will maintain your confidentiality.

This is completely dependent on the person. I strive to make the content of the therapy sessions equivalent whichever route you choose, although there are obvious differences. Here are a few things to consider as you make the choice of which you would prefer or feel will be most beneficial to you:

• Will you feel more connected and emotionally supported in-person?

• Would you feel more comfortable in your own home or other safe environment?

• Can you create a space of your own that can ensure privacy and confidentiality?

• Will you feel more comfortable in a therapeutic office that is set up for privacy and confidentiality?

• Will in-person or online work better for your schedule?

• Will traveling to my office be difficult?

• Will you be able to limit noise and other distractions from children, pets, cell phones, or other environmental factors for online therapy?

• Will the occasional technological problem cause you distress? Although I do my best to limit these, there is the possibility of it occurring.

Hopefully these questions can help guide you in deciding whether in-person or online therapy is the better choice for you. I am also happy to discuss the possibilities with you.

One thing to keep in mind is that the advantage to a hybrid therapy practice is the flexibility! You can try one format and if it doesn’t feel right to you, switch to the other, or if you choose in-person, but need an online session occasionally that’s completely possible also (or vise-versa).

Therapy is designed to be confidential. Confidentiality is a term that means that what you share with me stays between us. This helps build trust so that you can feel comfortable to be open and honest about your thoughts and feelings in all areas of your life.

While most of what you share with me will be kept confidential, there are a couple of situations where I might need to break that confidentiality to keep you or someone else safe. Those situations include if you tell me about harm to yourself or someone else. In those situations, I may legally need to involve others to ensure everyone's safety.

For additional information on confidentiality for your child, please see the FAQs section on the Therapy for Parents page.

We will also discuss confidentiality and it’s limits during the first session (and subsequent sessions as necessary). I’m always happy to answer questions or address concerns as well.

I think sometimes there is a belief that talking with a therapist means you walk in and tell them EVERYTHING you’re thinking and feeling; “spill your guts” so to speak. This isn’t usually how it goes and it isn’t even necessary or therapeutically appropriate. Therapy is about building trust. I would never expect that you’d feel comfortable sharing extremely personal or sensitive things right away with me. As we get to know each other and that trust builds, then you will hopefully feel more comfortable talking about the personal or hard things that come up. The first few sessions (and subsequent sessions) really are about building that trust and rapport. Ultimately it is up to you to decide what and when to share or discuss something. There may be times that I bring something up (that is kind of my job after all), but it is totally acceptable to let me know you’re not ready to talk about that right then and we can circle back to it if needed.

Unfortunately, this is a question with an “It’s different for every person” answer. Some people may experience immediate relief from having a safe and supportive space to express themselves and work through their challenges. For others, it may take a while before they feel that sense of relief and start noticing the positive effects of therapy.

One thing is true for everyone though… Therapy isn’t like waving a magic wand that makes everything better. It takes hard work and perseverance. It also doesn’t magically make all of your problems go away. Hopefully what it can do though is help you look at your problems, relationships, and life with new insight and from new perspectives, increase your tolerance to handle the problems that arise, and teach you new and needed skills to use in handling those problems. Therapy is a journey, but it’s one that I will walk alongside you for.

If I’m doing my job right, yes. I know that’s not what you wanted to hear, but change is almost always uncomfortable, and sometimes painful, but isn’t that why you’re seeking out therapy… because you feel something needs to change.

I like to compare it to a broken arm. If you’ve severely broken your arm, you know going to the doctor and getting treatment for it will probably cause you severe discomfort and pain, both immediate and possibly longer term if you need a cast or even surgery. So why do you go? Because you know the pain and discomfort will probably be temporary if you go, where as if you don’t, the pain could get much worse and become permanent or even lead to more severe problems.

It’s very similar with therapy. It might cause some temporary discomfort and pain, but ignoring problems will often cause much more serious outcomes. The goal is that by working through the discomfort, you come out with more hope, peace, and joy.

I know that can all sound scary and you may be asking yourself if you’re really ready for this. Only you can answer that, but I can tell you that I’ll do my best to help and support you when you are; whether that’s now or in the future. I can also tell you that almost everyone I’ve ever worked with hasn’t felt completely ready or been sure that they were strong enough… and then they’ve been amazed by how strong they discover they really are! Ultimately, therapy may stir up discomfort, but it's like braving the pain of setting a broken arm – temporary distress for the promise of lasting relief and growth.