How long are sessions? Sessions typically last 50 minutes. How often will we meet? Sessions take place weekly. The weekly frame is necessary for building our relationship and keeping the momentum going so you can get the most out of therapy. Therapy works best when this weekly format is held as consistently as possible. How long will treatment last? It depends on the problem that brings you to therapy. If you are dealing with a particularly stressful time and need to find a way to cope, you may meet your goals within 3 to 6 months. If you are looking to work on more complicated and/or chronic issues, treatment may be lengthier. The end of treatment is determined by you. What goes on in a psychotherapy session? For most adults, sessions involve talking. Sometimes you may come with a specific idea of what you want to discuss. Other times, you may not come prepared and allow yourself to discuss what comes to mind. Often the spontaneous unfiltered thoughts and feelings reveal the unknown and important information about yourself. Each session progresses based upon what your needs are at that time. Is what we talk about private? Privacy is a very important part of therapy and the utmost care goes into maintaining your privacy. There may be situations where you want me to share specific information to your physician, lawyer, social worker, etc. In these cases, I legally cannot release any information without getting your written permission. Additionally, there are a few situations that require that I break confidentiality: - If I suspect you may be a danger to yourself or others. - If there is reported child, dependent adult or elder abuse. Will I have to talk about things I don’t want to go into? I won't force you to discuss anything. That being said, treatment is most effective when difficult topics are discussed and understood. This is why it is important to build trust with your therapist. When this is in place, you can address things as you feel ready. Do people go to therapy more than once a week? Yes. Many times a single session per week can limit individuals to recounting the events of the week rather than addressing the issues for the full session. Multiple sessions per week allow you to get deeper into the areas that need to be understood and explored. Also, people in crisis or deeply distressed by a particular issue may come in for 2-3 sessions per week to intensively focus on an issue. What to expect in therapy. Change is an incremental process that takes time. Change happens over time. Therapy requires a commitment to change and honesty. It is a safe place where you can explore your fears and fantasies, address unwanted issues, and grow to your fullest potential. What is your fee? My fee is $200 per session. Payments are made after each session by credit card via the secure, HIPAA compliant credit card app, Ivy Pay. I can also provide monthly bills ("Superbill") that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. What is your cancellation policy? If you need to cancel an appointment, I request 24 hours notice. Cancellation within 24 hours of the appointment time will be subject to the full session fee. What are signs of postpartum mood and anxiety disorders?
Sadness, anger, exhaustion, nervousness, feeling out of control or overwhelmed
Difficulty sleeping or eating
Fears or scary thoughts that don’t go away
Feeling anxious or insecure, and nervous about being alone
What are risk factors for postpartum mood and anxiety disorders?
Difficulty asking for help.
Perfectionism.
Feeling sad, angry or cranky before periods.
History of depression or anxiety in the past.
Depression or anxiety with past pregnancies.
A family member who was depressed or very nervous after her baby was born.
Feeling a decreased need for sleep, have lots of ideas and it’s hard to slow down.
Family lives far away and you feel lonely.
Lack of social support from nearby friends.
Being pregnant right now and not feeling happy about it.