FAQs

Counseling, Coaching & Therapy In New Haven, CT

You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers.

So How Does It Work? What Happens In Sessions?

You lay on the couch and we say things like, “So tell me about your mother?” Then we nod and grumble, “Mmmhmm.”

Sounds fun doesn’t it? We didn’t think so either. But seriously, the best way to help you is to get to know and understand how you experience your world. So expect a lot of questions early on. Then expect to be challenged and pushed. Don’t worry, we’re pretty good about knowing when to push and when to pull. But if you’re looking to come in and complain about your life and have someone simply co-sign your bullshit, then you’re in the wrong place. Change only happens when we’re pushed outside our comfort zone.

Do You Only Help Clients Who Have Anxiety?

While most of the clients that come to us are looking for relief from stress and anxiety, they also have struggles with work, relationships, parenting, grief, life transitions, trauma, and self-esteem. Our focus is to help clients increase awareness and insight into what isn’t working in their lives so they can develop new, more effective ways of living in order to reduce stress, enhance fulfillment, and increase performance.

Aren’t People Who Go To Therapy Weak?

If by “weak” you mean smart and savvy, then yes! ???? People who ask for help when they need it and have the courage to reach out are the strong ones. They are the ones who choose thriving over surviving. Everyone needs help now and then – even therapists! Together, we’ll explore your strengths and weaknesses. We will identify blind spots contributing to your struggles. We’ll teach you how to restore balance in your life and face your problems head on with confidence and clarity.

How Long Will It Take?

Here’s the deal; our focus is to develop a collaborative relationship and implement a tailored approach with proven techniques. Most of our clients are relatively short-term (8-12 sessions). We know this is hard, so we try to make it as effective and efficient as possible. Everyone’s situation is unique to them and the length of time it takes to accomplish your goals greatly depends on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the factors that are driving you to seek counseling in the first place.

I’m Not Sure I’m Ready To Start. How Can Therapy In New Haven Help Me?

The reality is, many who first go to a therapist, counselor or coach don’t “feel ready” or “aren’t sure.” Counseling and therapy offers support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies which are more effective than simply talking to a friend or family member. Think of it like an advisor or consultant who provides a non-biased and educated perspective on specific problems or long-standing patterns getting in the way of achieving your full potential. We’ll guide you in the direction of a solution, while teaching how to act as your own guide. The benefits from counseling and therapy depend mostly on how much you put into the process and practice what you learn. Some of the benefits of therapy include:

Achieve a better understanding of yourself, your goals, and values.
Acquire skills for improving your relationships.
Learning new, better, and healthier ways to cope with stress and anxiety.
Manage anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures more effectively.
Improve communication and listening skills.
Change unhelpful behavior patterns and develop new more effective patterns.
Learn new problem-solving techniques with your family, partner, or work.
Improve your self-esteem and boost your self-confidence.

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How Often Do We Meet?

In the beginning (first 3-5 sessions), I strongly recommend weekly to build a working relationship and develop a clear understanding of who you are, your background, and a thorough understanding of your needs. This way we can design a specific plan of action. Once progress has been made, we will reevaluate to determine the appropriate frequency of sessions. This often looks like every 2 weeks and then spacing our meeting as appropriate. But again, this is something that both therapist and client decide together.

What Are The Benefits Of Out-Of-Network/Private Pay?

Being out-of-network or choosing to pay privately (without insurance) ensures your confidentiality and privacy. I do not need to release your records to any third party without your consent. When working with insurance, I must diagnose you with a mental health condition that will become part of your permanent medical record which threatens your confidentiality. If you choose to pay privately or pursue out of network benefits, information about the nature of your treatment and the issues discussed in sessions will remain solely between you and I. Finally, your out-of-pocket may be about the same with in-network anyway. Today’s average deductible for mental health coverage is $1500-3000. By the time you meet your deductible of even $1000, you would have already paid for approximately 7 sessions. Since our average time in treatment is 8-12 sessions, most people find that paying out-of-pocket for counseling makes better financial sense too.

How does out-of-network coverage work?

Most insurance plans have something called “out of network” coverage. You first need to determine if you have this coverage by contacting your insurance provider and asking if your plan offers out of network coverage for mental health. Be sure to ask if there is a deductible (what you pay out of pocket before they will reimburse). Then ask the percentage rate at which they reimburse. After our session, we send you an invoice which you submit to your insurance provider and they send you a check. Easy Peasy! For example, if your coverage reimburses 80% then your insurance provider would send you a check for $140 (our fee is $175). This means that your out of pocket cost is only $35 per session!

Why Shouldn’t I Just Take Medication?

Medication can be effective, but alone it cannot solve all issues. Often it is simply a temporary band-aid and in some cases, can bring about additional challenges (i.e., side effects). Sometimes medication is helpful as an adjunct with counseling – and even recommended. However, our work together is designed to explore the problems (not just the symptoms) you are experiencing and expand on your strengths so that you are empowered to create permanent change and accomplish your personal goals.

How Can I Get The Most Out Of Therapy?

It is important to understand that you will get quicker and more significant results from therapy if you actively participate in and commit to the process. This includes taking chances, being open, showing up on time and attending sessions regularly, doing the work and being patient as you allow the process to work. You’ve likely spent years developing some of the relationship dynamics, insecurities, or negative self-talk that may be keeping you from reaching your goals – it can take a while to unlearn these bad habits and patterns.

The purpose of therapy is to educate and help you to bring what you learn back into your life so you don’t need to come anymore. Beyond the work we do in your therapy sessions, we are big advocates for implementation of techniques and work outside of our sessions together. Since our session is only 50 minutes long, the fastest way to see a positive change is to start implementing these skills into your daily life.

Our ideal clients are those who:

Desire change but might not know what to do or where to start.
Are taking steps to improve their world and those around them.
See inward reflection as beneficial.
Are reliable, motivated and committed to meeting together.