FAQs

I can usually handle my problems but how could I benefit from therapy?

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through previous difficulties, it is important to seek professional assistance when you have been trying and have not noticed progress. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, which is a sign of strength. You are taking responsibility by accepting your current challenge and making a commitment to change your situation by seeking therapy. Therapy can provide long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and working through the challenges you face.

How do I know I am ready for therapy?

There is no “perfect” time to begin therapy, and you do not need to have everything figured out before getting started. However, answering “yes” to some of the following questions may suggest you are ready to engage in the therapeutic process: 1) Are you willing to make regular time to invest in your personal growth, the health of your relationship, and your overall well-being? 2) Are you open to exploring your thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and experiences with honesty and self-reflection? 3) Do you feel ready to make changes or better understand patterns that may no longer be serving you? 4) Are you willing to identify goals and take active steps toward change, both during and between sessions? 5) Are you open to practicing strategies, reflecting on insights, or completing therapeutic exercises outside of appointments when recommended? Therapy is a personal choice and an investment in yourself. People seek counseling for many reasons, including improving emotional well-being, navigating stress or life transitions, strengthening relationships, increasing self-awareness, addressing mental health concerns, enhancing personal or professional functioning, or building healthier coping strategies. You do not have to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. A willingness to engage in the process, reflect honestly, and work toward meaningful change is often one of the strongest indicators of readiness.

What can I expect at my first appointment and how can I best prepare for it?

We recognize that it is normal to have some anxiety about your first appointment. We hope that providing you with some information will help you feel a little more at ease. For your first appointment, we request that you arrive 30 minutes early to complete paperwork. The appointment will last approximately 90 minutes, for a total of 2 hours. This will be an opportunity for you and your psychologist to get to know each other and to determine if the psychologist can help you. This appointment will be more structured than a typical therapy session because your psychologist will be asking you questions to gain background information to better understand your concerns. We will also take time to review with you the policies of this practice and the ethical and legal parameters of confidentiality. We believe your understanding and informed consent is critical to facilitating honest disclosures as well as your overall comfort and trust in the therapy process. At the end of the intake, the psychologist will have a better idea if your concerns are within the psychologist’s competence area or a referral to another specialist is more appropriate. In some situations (e.g. couples counseling), additional sessions may be required to further assess the details of your concerns to determine if the psychologist can help you or to formulate a treatment plan that will best assist you to achieve your desired goals. A treatment plan involves your input and will be used as a map to guide the course of therapy.

In preparation for your first appointment, we recommend you spend some time thinking about your responses to the following questions: What has been happening in your life that leads you seek therapy now? How long has this been happening and to what extent does it disrupt your life? How have you been feeling today, in the past week, in the past month, in the past year? Are you experiencing guilt, anger, anxiety, sadness, shame, hurt or other emotions that are troubling? What have you done to try to feel better? What has made you feel better in the past? What do you hope to accomplish by going to therapy? How would you like things to be different at the end of therapy? If you are taking any medications, we recommend that you bring a list of all medications, including dosage and frequency, as well as the name(s) and contact information for the prescribing physician(s). Bring copies of any documents you think might be helpful. These may include, names and contact information for other medical providers you have seen in the recent past, previous psychological testing, hospital discharge summaries, or recent laboratory results. If you are seeking an ADHD assessment, please bring copies of any previous testing that have been completed, as well as relevant academic records.

How can I get the most out of therapy?

We will recommend a course of treatment that is specific to your needs, while remaining very responsive to any feedback that you might have. Please let us know if something does not seem to fit for you and we will work with you to make adjustments. The power of therapy rests on the trust and communication that takes place between the client and therapist. Keep in mind that psychologists are highly trained professionals that have a lot of experience in their field. By trusting that your psychologist has your best intention in mind, you will benefit more from the therapy.

With this in mind, here are additional tips on how you can get the most out of therapy: 1) Be an active participant in therapy—both during and between sessions. You will get the most out of counseling when you engage openly and honestly in the process. Sharing your thoughts, feelings, concerns, and experiences as fully as you can helps your psychologist better understand your needs and tailor treatment accordingly. If there are topics that feel difficult to discuss, start by sharing your hesitation. Therapy is a space where challenging issues can be approached gradually, at a pace that feels manageable. Progress in counseling often happens not only during sessions, but also in the time between appointments. Reflecting on discussions, practicing coping strategies, applying new insights, and working on goals identified in therapy are important parts of the change process. Because each session builds on the next, consistent effort between appointments often leads to greater and more lasting progress 2) Be committed to the therapeutic process and attend appointments consistently. Consistency matters in therapy. Regular attendance helps maintain momentum, deepen understanding, and build upon the work completed in prior sessions. While occasional scheduling conflicts are understandable, frequent cancellations or long gaps between appointments can interrupt progress. At times, therapy may feel emotionally challenging, especially when difficult experiences, emotions, or patterns are being addressed. It can be tempting to avoid sessions during these periods. However, these moments are often when counseling can be especially valuable. Staying engaged during challenging phases of treatment may help foster deeper insight, resilience, and meaningful growth. 3) Be empowered in your growth and change. This is your counseling journey. Your psychologist serves as a guide, resource, collaborator, and source of support, but meaningful change ultimately comes from your willingness to engage in the process and apply what you are learning to your life. Therapy works best when you take an active role in identifying goals, reflecting on what feels most important to discuss, and practicing new skills or perspectives outside of sessions. Change is often the result of many small, intentional steps taken over time. By approaching therapy with openness, curiosity, and commitment, you increase the likelihood of achieving the growth and changes you hope to see. 4) Be patient with yourself. Counseling is not a quick fix or “magic pill”; it is a process of growth and change that unfolds over time. The ways you view yourself, relate to others, cope with stress, and respond to challenges are often shaped by experiences and reinforced over many years. As a result, meaningful change can take time, reflection, and practice. Every person’s therapeutic journey is different. Some individuals notice meaningful shifts in perspective, symptom relief, or behavior within the first few sessions, while others experience more gradual progress that develops over months or longer. Often, therapy involves periods of steady growth as well as times when progress may feel slower or less noticeable. The rate of change in therapy can be influenced by many factors, including the nature and duration of concerns, the goals being addressed, readiness and motivation for change, consistency in attending sessions, openness and engagement in the therapeutic process, willingness to practice new skills outside of sessions, life stressors, available support systems, and the quality of the therapeutic relationship. Therapy is most effective when approached as a collaborative process grounded in patience, honesty, and active participation. Over time, many people find that the investment they make in therapy leads to meaningful and lasting changes in how they understand themselves, navigate challenges, and live their lives. 5) Be as specific as possible about your goals. You know your values, priorities, and desired outcomes best. Taking time to reflect on what changes would be most meaningful to you can help make therapy more focused and effective. Clearly identifying your goals allows you and your psychologist to work collaboratively toward outcomes that matter most to you. Goals in counseling are often most helpful when they are specific, realistic, and meaningful. As your needs evolve, your goals may also change over time. Making progress often involves actively working toward these goals both during sessions and in everyday life by reflecting on insights gained, practicing new skills, and taking intentional steps toward the changes you want to see. .

How often will I meet with my therapist?

The frequency and duration of therapy sessions will be based on an assessment of your needs, goals, and presenting concerns and will be discussed collaboratively to ensure the treatment plan feels appropriate and meaningful to you. We offer both 50-minute and 80-minute appointments, depending on your clinical needs and preferences. At the beginning of therapy, weekly sessions are often recommended to help build the therapeutic relationship, develop a deeper understanding of the concerns bringing you to treatment, and establish consistency and momentum toward your goals. As therapy progresses, the frequency of sessions may be adjusted based on factors such as your progress, the nature and severity of concerns, treatment goals, scheduling needs, financial considerations, life circumstances, or issues that may arise during treatment (e.g., periods of increased stress or crisis). The length and frequency of treatment vary from person to person. Some individuals seek therapy for short-term support around a specific issue, while others engage in longer-term work to address more longstanding patterns or concerns. For some, therapy may eventually shift into a maintenance phase, where sessions occur less frequently—such as monthly or every few months—to support continued growth, reinforce progress, address new challenges as they arise, or maintain overall well-being rather than respond to an immediate concern. Treatment decisions will be revisited periodically to ensure therapy continues to align with your evolving needs and goals.Whenever possible, it is recommended that therapy conclude with a planned final session. A closing session provides an opportunity to reflect on progress, discuss strategies for maintaining gains, address any remaining concerns, and intentionally bring the therapeutic relationship to a meaningful close.

Do you offer therapy in other languages besides English?

Yes, we can offer therapy in Vietnamese on a limited basis.

What are my payment options?

We are considered an out-of-network provider and do not bill insurance directly. Payment is due at the time services are rendered. Some clients choose to pay out of pocket for therapy services because they prefer not to have a mental health diagnosis documented with their insurance company. Others choose to pursue reimbursement through their insurance benefits. Upon request, we can provide a Superbill for you to submit to your insurance carrier for possible reimbursement of out-of-network benefits. Please note that reimbursement decisions are made solely by your insurance provider, and we cannot guarantee coverage or payment. It is important to understand that insurance companies generally require a mental health diagnosis in order to consider reimbursement for therapy services. As a result, any Superbill issued for insurance purposes will include your diagnosis. Your psychologist must have sufficient clinical contact with you to determine an appropriate diagnosis, and the number of sessions needed varies by individual. While we cannot guarantee a timeline, this process often occurs after approximately 6–10 sessions. Because your diagnosis constitutes Protected Health Information (PHI), Superbills containing diagnostic information cannot be sent via standard email. You may pick up your Superbill in person or request that it be mailed to the physical address we have on file.

If you plan to seek reimbursement, you may wish to contact your insurance provider and ask the following questions: 1) Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits? 2) What is my deductible, and has it been met? 3) What documentation or information is required from my out-of-network provider to process reimbursement? 4) What percentage of the session fee is eligible for reimbursement? 5) Are there any limits on the number of therapy sessions covered?

We accept several forms of payment, including cash, Zelle, Health Savings Account (HSA) cards, and all major credit cards. Please note that credit card payments incur a 4% processing fee, which is charged by the credit card company.

What if I need to cancel/reschedule my appointment?

We understand that life happens and plans may need to shift. To honor both your time and ours, we ask that you let us know at least 24 hours in advance. Appointments changed with less than 24 hours’ notice are subject to the full session fee.

Where are you located and where do I park?

There is no charge for parking. We are located off the feeder of highway 290 and the Dacoma/Mangum exit, next to the Supernova Furniture (if you are heading northwest and reach Dacoma, you’ve gone too far). Once you turn into the drive, you may park in front or behind the building. Please avoid reserved parking spots (which are covered). We are on the second floor (accessible by stairs or elevator) in suite 230. We will send you an email prior to your appointment with information about how to access the building depending on your appointment time.