Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I need to come to counseling?

The amount of time you need to attend counseling depends on your specific situation. Some people only need to come in for about 4 sessions in order to work on minor issues or stressors. Many times, people wait for a long time to schedule a counseling session, and by the time they commit to therapy their stressors feel overwhelming and they need to spend more time working on their particular goals. Time spent in counseling also depends on how frequently you are able to attend regular sessions. People who are able to attend weekly usually reach their goals sooner than someone who can only attend once a month.

How often should I come to counseling?

This depends on the issues you want to address, and your scheduling needs. Weekly sessions are recommended at least for the first 2 or 3 sessions in order to identify your goals and create a plan to work toward those goals. Once you feel like you are making steady progress toward your goals, sessions are usually spread out to every other week, and then once a month until your goals are met.

How do I know counseling is working?

Many times clients start to feel better after the first counseling session, although it might take several sessions until you start to feel like you are making progress. In the first few sessions we will work on identifying your goals and specifically address how we will determine that progress is being made.

What can I expect in working with you?

I am a client-centered therapist, which means that I am sensitive to where you are in your therapeutic journey. I will help you define your goals for counseling, and then work with you to achieve those goals. That doesn’t mean that therapy will be easy - in fact, you will probably work very hard. Part of my role is to help challenge your own ways of thinking in order to promote personal growth. I am very good at seeing the potential in my clients and using my skills as a therapist to guide you to make the changes needed to realize your goals.

Is counseling confidential?

For the most part, counseling services are kept completely confidential and no information is released to a third party without written consent from the client. However, all therapists are mandated reporters, which means there are exceptions to this confidentiality which include:

-Suspected Child Abuse, Elder Abuse, or Dependent Adult Abuse: Requires a report to appropriate authorities such as CPS or APS.
-Threat of bodily harm to another individual: Requires a report to police as well as notification of the intended victim.
-Threat of harm to self: Requires notification to appropriate authorities in order to maintain safety of the client, which may include hospitalization.
-Court Order: If a judge orders records of client services. This is generally rare, as the judge must believe the information ordered for release to be of greater importance than the confidentiality of the client.

What experience do you have as a therapist?

I have worked in various clinical settings including out-patient mental health agencies serving adults and children. My initial experience includes several years of working with adult clients diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness. I later transitioned to federal service providing counseling specifically for military members and their dependents. I specialize in working with clients who have experienced various types of trauma.

Do you have any certifications?

As a native Californian, my primary licensure is as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in that jurisdiction. After moving to Virginia I added my designation as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I am also a National Certified Counselor (NCC). My graduate degree was earned through a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). In addition, I am a certified EMDR Provider.