FAQS

Can psychotherapy help me?

Many studies have proven that psychotherapy can be helpful in improving someone’s quality of life. Doing therapy with someone you trust and feel comfortable with can allow you to understand and reframe your problems and concerns. You can also learn specific emotional and social skills, and can help you bring more satisfaction to your life. A landmark 1995 Consumer Reports study concluded that psychotherapy can contribute significantly to reduce mental health issues. Diverse psychotherapy approaches can be beneficial, and no studies have proved they differ significantly in their effectiveness, nor if psychologists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists, and social workers were conducting counseling.

Why just talking to a friend is not enough to help me?

Talking to friends who will feel comfortable with can be very helpful and provide emotional support for you; however, a therapist is a professional who is trained, impartial and can provide more appropriate and effective services in addressing your needs and goals. In addition, counseling is an opportunity for you to be free to express private thoughts and struggles.

The key to successful therapy is a connected, trusting relationship between client and therapist, which is why the Therapy Directory is committed to helping you find the best professional for you.

What should I expect in my first session?

I would advise you to arrive 10 minutes earlier to complete the forms. You can also print it and bring with you, if you prefer. At your first appointment I will be interested in learning more about the reasons that bring you to therapy and your expectations. We will talk about my treatment approaches and answer any questions you may still have. Feel free to call me to schedule a 30 min free consultation previous to our first appointment.  I will spend some time getting to know you and your goals for therapy, and together we will discuss if I am a good fit for you and if not, I will be glad to help you find another therapist.

How do I know if you are the right therapist for me?

I believe that the right therapist is someone you can trust and you feel comfortable with. And I know it can take some time to develop it, but I also believe that meeting face-to-face can offer a great opportunity to get to know a little bit more of the therapist and check if you are interested in establishing a therapist-client relationship with that person. I encourage you to schedule a free consultation, preferably face-to-face, so that we can find out if we would be a good fit. I also recommend you to check the therapist background and training.  

When will I know that I am done with therapy?

This is something I highly recommend you to discuss with your therapist. It varies for different clients, but it also depends on having achieved the goals you had for therapy. There are short-goals and long-term goals, the last focus more on in-depth issues and require more time. For some clients it is advisable to reduce the numbers of sessions before finishing therapy completely, and continue focusing on developing coping skills. As a therapist, I also consider the termination a very important step in the process and I encourage the clients to talk honestly about their expectations and perceptions.

What is your training?

I worked as a licensed psychotherapist in Brazil for 5 years, I got a master's in Psychology from Seattle University in 2010 and I have been practicing as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate since then. To learn more about my training you can read about my background here.

What are your hours of availability?

I make an effort to be as flexible as I can in accommodating my client’s schedule, so I encourage you to contact me to talk about it.

How long does each therapy session take?

The sessions can last from 45 to 60 minutes.

How do I pay for the session?

I accept payments in cash or check at the time of service. If you have insurance,  I can be billed as an out of network provider for most insurance plans.