FAQs

I’ve never been to therapy. Walk me through the process a little.

Yes! You are awesome for taking this first step towards beginning therapy. Obviously, I think therapy is fantastic, but I know it can be a mysterious and overwhelming process to get started. 

First, you want to find a therapist that you feel comfortable with. Studies show that the amount of comfort and trust you feel towards your therapist is directly related to your progress. So, you’ll want to actually talk with your potential therapist first to see if you vibe.

Then you and your therapist can decide how often you can/should attend therapy sessions. The most important aspect to consider here is consistency. Again, this is one of the most important factors in determining your therapeutic progress. Most folks attend weekly or biweekly at first - however I know that finances are a major consideration, so talk it over and land on a frequency that makes sense for everyone.

Then you start! Simple as that. Your therapist will guide you through the first couple of sessions working to get to know each other and identifying problems and goals. With me, this is a natural and collaborative process, but every therapist is a bit different. The rest of the process is a lot of talking, crying, laughing, ‘aha’ moments, and sometimes (non-mandatory) homework. ‘

Therapy can feel good, cathartic, painful, exciting, awkward, sad, awesome, uncomfortable…basically all the feels. Unpacking the painful experiences that have kept you stuck in distress isn’t always a walk in the park - in fact one client told me it’s like a workout, she doesn’t always look forward to it, but damn it feels good by the end. And the amount of transformation and self-love on the other side of it is so so so worth it.

How long does therapy last?

Great question. Well, it depends. I’ve had some folks start with me and after a couple sessions they felt they had the tools and insights they needed to end therapy at that point; I’ve worked with some folks consistently for a year or more, and I’ve had folks that have worked with me on and off for years. And everything in between! It really is up to you (and I can help!) to decide when and how to end therapy. 

Can I try it first?

Yes! We’ll start with a free 15-20 minute consultation, which will give us both a feel for each other and give you a chance to ask any questions you might have. After that I ask that you commit to either weekly or biweekly sessions – however, you can change frequency or press pause or end therapy at any time. Let’s just talk it through!

Do you work with partnerships or families?

Yes! With couples I use both Gottman-informed and Emotion Focused Therapy interventions to help couples identify the (real) problem and learn new ways of being together that are mutually satisfying.

With families, I use Emotion Focused Family Therapy, Gottman-informed parenting, and Relational-Cultural Therapy interventions to get to the root of what’s causing distress, get everyone on the same page, and moving forward in the same direction. 

 I also see different types of families and relationships. Some examples of partner + family work I have done include:

-Couples, throuples, quads, and other romantic partnerships

-Queer families

-Adult siblings

-Parents and their children

-Divorced parents working together to co-parent

-Blended families

-Non-Monogamous individuals, partners, and families

-Multiple generations (Come on, nana!)

 Are you…friendly?

Yes! I am really passionate about validating and affirming people and families that exist outside the dominant cultural narratives. My theoretical approach asks me to take socio-cultural factors into account and to actively fight against the negative impacts of systemic racism, sexism, heteronormativity, fatphobia, and any other form of oppression that my clients experience.

How much does all of this cost?!

(I would be wondering too.)

Ready for some hella good therapy?

Start by booking a free consultation.

Your question not answered here?

Reach out! I’ll get back to you within 48 business hours.

Tell me more about relational therapy!

I practice Relational-Cultural Therapy, which is based on the theory that healthy connection with other humans is the foundation for feeling good, and most emotional or psychological distress can be traced to disruptions in our important relationships. It is my job to create a safe and non-judgmental space for us so that we can get to the root of your distress and heal it - at the source. I help you do this by identifying patterns, organizing thoughts and feelings, healing traumatic experiences, and re-learning how to feel safe and secure within yourself and within your relationships. 

Relational-Cultural Therapy is for individuals who are experiencing distress within themselves or within their relationships. If you suffer from high-functioning anxiety, social anxiety, depression, loneliness, codependence or high levels of stress, Relational Therapy will help to find the root of your suffering – the break in connection and safety with others. If you are experiencing distress in your social relationships; with your family, partner, children, friends, colleagues, etc., Relational Therapy will help you identify the patterns that need to change in order for you to have the fulfilling and safe relationships you want.

Relational Therapy asks you to question:

-What do I believe about myself? About others? About relationships?

-How do I relate to others? Are those ways working? Why or why not?

-How do I try to find connection and belonging? 

-How do I keep myself safe in my relationships?

-How does my identity or culture impact how I relate to myself/others/the world? 

The end result of Relational Therapy is a healed, organized, and compassionate understanding of yourself and more fulfilling relationships in your life. Boom baby.