What are all the letters behind a therapists name?

When looking for a therapist, the letters behind their name can describe their training. Here are some of mine:

MA - Master of Arts, LCMHC - Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, LCAS - Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist

How can therapy help me?

Benefits of therapy depend on your commitment and level of readiness. Some benefits can include, boosting self confidence or improving self esteem, improving communication skills, learning/finding new coping skills, attaining a better understanding of yourself, changing old patterns and developing new ones, or managing your emotional feeling such as sadness, anger or other highly charged emotions you may be feeling.

How long does therapy last?

Therapy sessions are typically 45-50 minutes, while groups run longer per session.  Clients typically meet on a weekly or bi weekly basis depending on the client’s needs. Length of time while in therapy will depend on the individual client’s circumstance. The therapist and client will determine that together.

Do you accept insurance?

Yes. I use third party services (i.e., Headway or Alma) to manage my billing and admin work so that I can place all of my focus on our work together. These companies manage everything related to payments and insurance to make things as easy as possible. If I am not in-network with your insurance provider, we can discuss out of pocket payment and creating a superbill to submit to your out-of-network benefits.

What can I expect in my first session?

The initial session will be a Comprehensive Clinical assessment to discuss the client’s history and needs for treatment.  During this first session the client will have the opportunity to see how therapy will work, review office policies, privacy and confidentiality, as well as determine whether or not they are comfortable with the therapist.

Side note: It’s vital to have a positive working relationship with your therapist, so it’s recommended that you set up a 15-Minute consultation with me for an initial meeting.