Starting Therapy: What to Expect

I provide telehealth therapy for adults located across 40+ states. Below is a description of what the process typically looks like.

The Process:

    • I offer a free 15 minute phone consultation to connect and get a sense of whether we may be a good fit. We will briefly discuss what you are seeking support for, what you are hoping to change, and any initial questions you have. We will check if our schedules align.

    • If we decide to move forward, we will schedule an intake appointment. I will send an email with links to new client paperwork in my HIPAA-compliant patient portal.

    • If it is not a good match at this time, I will offer you referrals.

  • Before the intake appointment, you will complete paperwork through the secure portal. This includes:

    • Informed consent documents,

    • My practice policies,

    • Adding a card on file, and

    • Questionnaires that will help us use our first appointment time effectively.

    • The intake is 55 to 75 minutes and is more structured than typical sessions.

    • I will ask questions during this assessment-oriented session to understand what you are experiencing now, your main concerns, how long they have been happening, relevant life events, and what you would like to be different after therapy.

    • I will share initial impressions and recommendations, and we will begin identifying therapy goals if we mutually agree that we could be a good fit.

    • The first sessions are an extension of the intake appointment, continuing the work of building trust and establishing concrete therapy goals.

    • We will also discuss what approaches I recommend as we develop a treatment plan. You are encouraged to ask questions so you feel informed and comfortable.

    • We will agree on a plan for session frequency and estimated length of therapy. Most clients begin with weekly sessions, then may shift to biweekly as we progress.

If you're ready to take the next step, I'd love to connect.

Book a Phone Consultation
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Length of therapy

The length of therapy depends on your goals, needs, and the time and energy you’re able to devote to the process. Cognitive behavioral therapies for concerns like depression, anxiety, OCD and PTSD are designed for about 12 to 20 sessions. A substantial amount of change can occur within 6 months when applying skills outside of therapy sessions. There is an option to continue therapy for a longer period of time; when clients are interested, we revisit goals and establish new ones so therapy continues to be an active process.

Some clients are looking for short-term, focused work over 6 to 8 sessions, such as preparing for an upcoming medical procedure or navigating a time-sensitive medical decision.

I also offer accelerated PTSD and OCD treatment schedules for clients who want to engage in an intensive format. This involves 2 to 3 sessions per week for a period of time.

Support between sessions

Depending on my availability, I may be able to schedule an additional appointment between your regularly scheduled session time.

I am not able to provide crisis support services between sessions. If you are in crisis, please text or call 988 (the 24/7 national suicide lifeline), contact a local behavioral health crisis resource (HEART if you are located in Durham), call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.