Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Choose the Right Mental Health Therapist?
Choosing a mental health therapist is a deeply personal decision—one that can shape your journey toward healing, growth, and emotional well-being. It’s not just about credentials or experience (though those matter); it’s about trust, comfort, and connection. The right therapist will make you feel seen, heard, and safe enough to open up. This guide walks you through what to consider when selecting a therapist—from understanding different therapy styles and credentials, to knowing what questions to ask in a consultation. Whether you’re seeking support for anxiety, depression, trauma, or life transitions, we’re here to help you make an informed choice that feels right for you.
What can I expect during my first session?
Your first therapy session is a gentle starting point—a chance for you and your therapist to get to know each other in a relaxed and supportive setting. You’ll be invited to share a bit about what’s bringing you in, but there’s no pressure to dive into everything right away. The therapist may ask questions to better understand your experiences, needs, and goals, and you’re welcome to ask questions, too. This session is as much about making sure you feel comfortable and heard as it is about starting to create a plan for moving forward. Think of it as the beginning of a conversation, not a test or a deep dive—it’s all at your pace.
How Do I Know If This Is the Right Therapist for Me?
Starting therapy is a big step—but how do you know if you've found the right therapist? The connection you have with your therapist plays a major role in your progress. A strong therapeutic relationship is built on trust, comfort, and mutual understanding.
Ask yourself:
Do I feel at ease during our sessions?
Can I speak openly and honestly without fear of judgment?
Does my therapist listen carefully and respond to my concerns?
Do I feel that they understand what I’m going through?
Do I trust in their ability to help me work through my challenges?
It’s completely normal to need a few sessions—typically two or three—to get a sense of whether the relationship feels like a good fit. However, if you quickly realize that the connection isn’t there, it’s okay to trust your instincts and look for someone whose style or personality better suits your needs. Finding the right match can make a meaningful difference in your journey.
How long will my appointments last?
Therapy sessions are typically scheduled for one hour, though in clinical terms, a standard session is approximately 55 minutes. This allows your therapist a few minutes between appointments to review notes and prepare for the next session. If you're using insurance, this is the typical session length covered under most plans. While it may feel slightly shorter than a full hour, this structure is common practice and ensures that each session remains focused, consistent, and productive.
How Often Will I Attend Therapy?
In most cases, starting with weekly sessions for the first three months offers the best foundation for meaningful progress. This regular rhythm helps build a strong therapeutic relationship and gives you the momentum needed to work through your goals. After that initial period, you and your therapist can revisit your needs and adjust the frequency if it feels appropriate.
For clients experiencing more complex or intense challenges, more frequent sessions may be recommended to provide extra support. Children, especially those under age 10, typically benefit most from consistent weekly sessions, as this routine is key to developing trust and seeing steady progress.
Our goal is to support you in making real, lasting changes. Beginning with too few sessions can unintentionally slow your progress. Your therapist will always work with you to find the schedule that best supports your healing and growth.
What Can I Expect From Therapy Appointments?
In the early sessions—typically the first one to four—you’ll have space to share your story at your own pace. This is a time to get to know your therapist, explore how well the connection feels, and begin to define what you’d like to work on together. You’ll collaborate to set meaningful goals and create a plan that feels aligned with your needs. Just like any strong relationship, trust and connection take a little time to build, and these first sessions are the foundation for meaningful, lasting progress.
Once that foundation is in place, you’ll move into the heart of the therapy process. This is where real growth begins. Each session may include exploring thoughts and emotions, developing new skills, gaining deeper insight, or working through challenges in a safe and supportive space. Your therapist will walk alongside you—offering guidance, tools, and support—but you’ll also play a vital role by applying what you learn in your everyday life.
Therapy is a shared journey. When you're engaged and committed both in and outside of sessions, you're more likely to experience real, lasting change. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
What Happens When My Treatment Goals Have Been Met?
Reaching your therapy goals is a meaningful milestone—and one that reflects the progress you've made and the strong foundation you've built with your therapist. As you begin to feel more confident and capable in managing your challenges, therapy often shifts into a “maintenance” phase. During this time, sessions may become less frequent, offering a chance to see how your growth holds up with more space between visits.
This phase helps ensure that the positive changes are lasting and gives you the opportunity to reflect on what’s working well. If new challenges arise or old patterns resurface, your therapist is there to help you navigate those moments with clarity and support. When it feels right, and progress continues to hold steady, you and your therapist may decide together that it’s time to move toward a healthy and empowering conclusion to your therapy journey.
How Long Does Therapy Take to Work?
The length of time therapy takes to be effective varies from person to person—it’s a deeply individual process influenced by many factors. Some helpful things to consider are: How long have you been struggling with this issue? Are there long-standing habits or patterns tied to it? Have you experienced temporary relief before, only for the issue to return?
If you're working through a newer concern that hasn’t deeply taken root in your life, you might find that progress comes fairly quickly—sometimes in just a few months. On the other hand, if your challenges have been building over a longer period or are tied to deeper patterns, therapy may take more time. That’s okay. Therapy isn’t a race—it’s about creating sustainable, lasting change.
While your therapist can help set expectations and offer guidance, there’s no fixed timeline. Much of your progress will depend on how engaged you are in applying what you learn between sessions. Change happens not just in the therapy room, but in the everyday moments where new insight meets real-life action. We’re here to support you, however long your journey takes..
Do you work with children, teens, couples, or families?
Currently, our practice offers mental health services specifically for adults and couples. We focus on providing tailored support to help individuals and partners navigate life’s challenges and build stronger, healthier relationships. While we don’t currently provide therapy for children, teens, or families, we’re happy to offer referrals to trusted specialists if that is what you need. Our goal is always to connect you with the right kind of care for your unique situation.
Do you take insurance? What are your payment options?
We accept most major insurance plans to help make therapy more accessible for you. For those who prefer to self-pay, we offer straightforward payment options as well. Additionally, we have a limited number of sliding scale spots available for clients who may benefit from reduced fees based on financial need. Our team is happy to discuss payment details with you to find the best fit for your situation and ensure you feel supported every step of the way.
Do you offer in-person or telehealth appointments?
Yes, we offer both in-person and telehealth sessions to provide flexible options that fit your lifestyle and needs. Our in-person appointments take place in our comfortable office located in Hermitage, PA, where you can experience a welcoming and private space for your therapy. For those who prefer or need the convenience of remote care, we also provide telehealth sessions available to clients residing in Pennsylvania and Ohio. This way, you can access quality mental health support from wherever you feel safest and most comfortable.
Is what I say in therapy confidential?
Your privacy and trust are at the heart of everything we do. What you share in therapy stays confidential—protected by strict ethical and legal guidelines designed to keep your information safe and secure. This means your therapist won’t share what you discuss without your permission, except in rare situations where safety is a concern, such as risk of harm to yourself or others. Our goal is to create a space where you feel completely safe to be open and honest, knowing your story is respected and protected.