FAQ
How Do I Schedule an Appointment?
You can access my schedule online and request an appointment or if you'd prefer to speak in person you may call 412-212-8483
How Frequent are Sessions?
It varies for each person. Typically, either weekly or bi-weekly. We will have a conversation at our first session to determine what is right for you. It can always change depending on your needs.
What Can I Expect the First Session?
Usually, in the first session is 60 minutes where necessary paperwork. Such as informed consent, privacy policy, insurance, psychosocial history, and payment. In addition, work in identify therapeutic needs and goals. We will work on building rapport as I believe a positive client therapist relationship is important to the therapeutic process.
Why Do People Go To Therapy?
People go to therapy for many reasons. Life is full of challenges and overwhelming events. Sometimes we can feel stuck or unhappy with our own life. Sometimes, things in your childhood may impact your adult self. Therapy can offer a supportive ear and learning skills to mange emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
Does My Child Need Therapy?
Children and adolescents are in stages of development. They experience life events and difficulties of there own such as but not limited to from new siblings, parents divorce, new schools, making friends, bullying, academic pressure.
Can I Attend my Child Session?
Children who are 14 years or older have the same rights to confidentiality as an adult. However, we encourage consumers to share what they feel comfortable with caregivers. For children under 14 years old, parents are encouraged to attend the first or last 10 sessions for updates and transferring skills to you.
Is What We Talk About Confidential?
Yes! Confidentiality is a key component to counseling. What is shared in therapy will remain in therapy. For children 14 or older, they have the same rights as adults in confidentially but will be encourage when clinically appropriately to share with their caregivers.
Confidently will only be broken for one of the following:
• Suspected abuse (past or present) of neglect of children, adults, and elders. There are required to be reported to appropriate authorities.
• If therapist has a reason to suspect client is in danger or harming him/herself or harm another person.
• If therapist is court ordered
What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an interactive therapy used to relieve a psychological stress, typically for PTSD, trauma, and complex trauma. During session you relive traumatic experience in short amounts while the therapist directs your eye movement. It allows you to be exposed to memories with having a strong emotional or psychological response.
What is PCIT?
Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is for children with disruptive, destructive, non-compliance behaviors. Sessions are lead by the therapist ‘coaching’ parents with a ‘bug-in-the-ear’ deceive while they play and interact with their child in a separate room.
PCIT is done in two treatment phases. The first phase focus on parents building strong relationship with your child to feel safe, calm, confident, and feel positive about self. Typically seen outcomes in the first phase include but not limited to decrease tantrum, decrease activity levels, decrease attention seeking behavior, increase self esteem, and increase social skills (such as sharing)
The second phase helps parents mange the most challenging behaviors you child might have while remaining calm, consistent, and in control to discipline. Your child will learn to comply to directions, respect house rules, and appropriate behavior in public.