FAQ’s about counseling, therapy, and psychotherapy in Los Gatos

Whether you’ve been in therapy before or not you may still have questions about how it works and what role you play as the client. If you’ve done research, you’ll notice different therapists have different specialties and varying approaches to serving their clients. This blog is meant to give you a glimpse into the kind of therapist that I am and how I work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a typical session look like?

In my sessions I typically like to start with a short check in. A check in might include an update about your past week, an invitation to notice how you’re feeling as we begin the session, or a short exercise to get present in the moment. If there was any homework assigned in our previous session, we might take a few minutes to review how that went. There is no need to prepare for sessions. However you’re feeling or whatever is happening in your life when you come into session is enough. What you are experiencing in the moment is what will guide how I support you.

How long will I have to be in therapy?

Everyone’s journey is different and I don’t use a cookie cutter approach to support my clients. As a result, some people may be in therapy for a few months while others may find value in deep therapeutic work for years. In addition, there may be times in life where one might need a “break” from therapy and would find it useful to reassess a later time to resume therapy. This may be due to unforeseen circumstances, financial barriers, or a time to step away in order to integrate and reflect on what you’ve gained from therapy. In any case, it’s a good idea to have discussions with your therapist about your thoughts so that you both can develop a plan together.

How do I know if therapy is working for me?

Every few months, I will initiate a conversation about how you’re feeling about your experience in therapy. I will ask questions like, how is your life different from when you first came to therapy and what has been helpful about our work together? In addition to checking in about whether therapy is working for you, these conversations are a great opportunity to give me constructive feedback. If you have concerns or questions about whether or not my approach has been a good fit for your needs or if there was something that was said that didn’t sit right with you, let me know. I’m open to problem solving and making shifts (as long as it’s within my scope of competence and with my legal limits) in order to help you get to where you want to be.

What’s my role as the client?

I value open mindedness and the willingness to try something new and I hope that the clients I serve are aligned with this on some level. After all, before reaching out to any therapist most people have recognized that they’re wanting some change in their life and seeking support. Just do you and we’ll go from there!

Are you seeing clients in person?

Yes, I am seeing clients both in person at my office in Los Gatos and online through confidential video meetings.

What’s your COVID19 policy?

If we decide that we’ll meet in person for our weekly sessions I require my clients to submit proof of vaccination. I’m taking precautions to create and maintain a safe environment; however, the risk of contracting COVID-19 still exists. By agreeing to come to my office, you agree to only keep an in-person session only if you are free of any symptoms commonly associated with COVID-19. If you are experiencing symptoms or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive within the last 14 days, you agree to either cancel your session 48 hours before your scheduled appointment or request a telehealth session. In addition, you agree to sanitize or wash your hands prior to entering the office and will wear a face mask inside the office.

What’s next?

I hope this information helps you find the right therapist in the Bay Area. I know I may not have answered every question so if you have anymore, please reach out and schedule your free 15 minute phone consultation. I’m happy to spend time to get you the answers you need to make a decision about which therapist will be right for you. I’m connected to a network of therapists in the local area and across the state of California. If I’m not the therapist for you, I will do my best to direct you to ones I think can be a better fit.

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