What happens in family and/or marriage counseling?
Therapy is a collaborative, active process focused on identifying patterns and creating lasting change.
In-Session: We’ll work together to discuss the root issues, shift perspectives, and create new communication strategies. Since your wife is an MFT, sessions often focus on systemic patterns—how you and your loved ones interact—rather than just individual problems.
Between Sessions: You will be encouraged to be an active participant by trying out new behaviors, practicing communication skills, or engaging in “homework” (like reading relevant articles or keeping a behavioral log). This application is crucial for achieving your goals.
How many sessions will there be, and how long does therapy last?
Marriage and Family Therapy is often brief and solution-focused. While therapy can be short-term (focusing on a single, specific issue) or longer-term (addressing complex issues or ongoing growth), the typical starting point is a series of weekly, 50-minute sessions. We will regularly evaluate your progress to ensure we are meeting your goals efficiently.
Is therapy right for me/us?
Therapy is right for anyone who wants to stop feeling stuck and is ready to invest in greater self-awareness and positive change in their life and relationships. If you’re seeking to improve communication, heal from conflict, or commit to personal growth, therapy is a powerful path forward.
Do I really need therapy?
It’s common to believe you should be able to handle problems on your own. While everyone goes through challenging situations, seeking support is a sign of strength and resourcefulness, not failure. If your current coping strategies are no longer working, or if your issues are impacting your daily function or relationships, seeking professional support is a smart choice.
Confidentiality and Ethics
Is therapy confidential?
Yes, confidentiality is a cornerstone of therapy. The law protects the privacy of all communications between a client and a psychotherapist. No information will be disclosed without your prior written permission.
However, there are exceptions required by law to ensure safety:
Threat to Self or Others: If a client threatens serious bodily harm to themselves or another person, the therapist is required to take necessary steps to ensure safety (e.g., notifying the police or emergency contact).
Abuse: Suspected child abuse, dependent adult abuse, or elder abuse must be immediately reported to the appropriate authorities.
What about confidentiality when working with a couple or family?
When working with couples or families, the “client” is the relationship itself. This means that there is no secret-keeping between partners or family members. Information shared individually may be brought into the joint session if it is relevant to the agreed-upon treatment goals. This policy ensures trust and transparency are maintained across all therapeutic relationships.
Fees, Insurance, and Medication
How much does therapy cost?
My standard rate for a 50-minute session is $100 for an individual and $140 for a couple / family, as well offer I offer a sliding scale fee for a limited number of clients.
Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?
I am an out-of-network provider and do not accept insurance directly at this time.
Is medication a substitute for therapy?
No. Therapy and medication work in fundamentally different ways. While medication can manage symptoms and provide relief, therapy (specifically MFT) addresses the root causes of distress and the relational patterns that contribute to them. For many conditions, a combination of medication and therapy offers the most effective course of action. You can discuss the best path forward with your medical doctor. to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.