Common questions about therapy & coaching
- What’s the difference between coaching and therapy?
Coaching and therapy are two distinct but complementary modalities.
The most noticeable difference is that coaching is available to anyone in the United States and is generally not covered by insurance. Therapy is only available to residents of Colorado, due to licensure, and may be covered by insurance.
Coaching also tends to be more goals- and skill-oriented, as well as future-focused; therapy tends to be more holistic, as it includes work done in coaching as well as a deeper dive into the past, which may include trauma-focused work.
For more information, visit my dedicated coaching and therapy pages.
- Why are you a licensed professional counselor “candidate”?
I’ve completed all of the education and clinical hours for my licensure but, like all professional counselors, my practice must be supervised by a fully licensed therapist for 2 years before my license is considered “complete”.
In a way, this means you get two therapists for the price of one, as I will be consulting with Lou Byrd of Byrd Counseling regarding my caseload.
- What’s the purpose of a client consultation before starting therapy?
- You and I will have a quick chat to determine if we’re a good fit for one another. You’ll get to decide if my style and approach works for you, and I’ll get a sense of whether your goals and needs can be best met in this space.
- What can I expect from therapy sessions with you?
- In our sessions, you can expect a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where we collaborate to explore your concerns, goals, and strengths. Together, we’ll work to deepen your self-awareness, identify patterns in your thoughts and behaviors, and develop effective coping strategies to navigate life’s challenges.
- How long are therapy sessions, and how often should I attend?
Individual therapy sessions typically last 50 minutes to an hour, while couples’ sessions may be scheduled for up to 90 minutes. The duration for either may vary depending on your needs and preferences.
The frequency of sessions is typically once a week, but we can adjust based on your schedule and progress. Consistency in attendance often yields the best results, so a commitment to this process is also essential.
- What therapeutic approaches do you use?
I integrate various evidence-based modalities, including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), motivational interviewing (MI), mindfulness-based approaches, layered between contemplative techniques.
My approach is collaborative and tailored to your unique needs, drawing upon the most effective strategies to support your growth and well-being. You will always have a say in what works for you and what doesn’t.
- How do I know if therapy is right for me?
- Therapy can benefit people facing a wide array of challenges, from managing stress and anxiety to navigating relationship issues or processing trauma. If you’re experiencing distress, seeking personal growth, or simply looking for support in navigating life’s complexities, therapy can provide valuable insights and tools to help you thrive.
- What if I want to reprocess a traumatic experience or do deep trauma work?
We will likely talk openly about trauma and its impacts on your life as we work together. However, there are dedicated methods for deep trauma work and trauma reprocessing. Both of these require specific and intensive training; reprocessing trauma is highly sensitive, utilizing various modalities and approaches to help clients address and heal from trauma.
If you are looking to reprocess trauma, I might suggest finding a therapist trained in Somatic Experiencing (SE—this is my recommendation), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), or another approach. I am happy to provide a referral in this instance and welcome your questions!
- Is therapy confidential?
- Yes, confidentiality is a cornerstone of the therapeutic process. Your privacy is of utmost importance, and anything discussed in our sessions remains strictly confidential, except in rare circumstances where there may be a legal obligation to disclose information (e.g., if there’s a risk of harm to yourself or others).
- How do I schedule an appointment?
- Scheduling an appointment is easy, just click here to schedule a free consultation. I’m committed to making the process as seamless as possible and am here to support you every step of the way. If for any reason you’d prefer to skip the consultation, you can email me at … to schedule your first appointment.
- Do you offer virtual therapy sessions (telehealth)?
- Yes! I primarily offer virtual therapy sessions, but I also have openings for in-person sessions if that is your preference. All virtual therapy sessions are conducted securely and confidentially via a HIPAA-compliant platform, allowing you to access support from the comfort of your own space and without having to commute.
- What if I’m unsure about starting therapy or have more questions?
If you have any hesitations or questions about starting therapy, I encourage you to reach out by emailing …. I’m here to provide you with more information, address any concerns you may have, and help you determine if therapy is the right fit for you at this time.
Your well-being is my priority, and I’m committed to supporting you on your journey towards healing and growth.