Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if therapy is right for me?
I might sound biased, but I believe everyone can benefit from therapy.
Therapy is a process that allows you to get a better understanding of yourself, your needs and your fears. I like to think of a therapy as a ‘magic’ mirror, it can show you in great detail who you are.
Through therapy you can gain insight, achieve inner peace, heal, and when life gets overwhelming or too confusing, therapy can help make sense of things. Of course, therapy is right for anyone who feels stuck or is experiencing emotional distress. It provides a safe space to explore your feelings, thoughts, and experiences to develop strategies to navigate life’s difficulties.
A clinical psychologist or a psychotherapist will work with you to determine whether therapy is the right fit for your needs.
Is therapy meant for mentally sick people? Do clinical psychologists deal with clinically sick people?
This question overlaps with the previous question a lot, but it definitely deserves its own response as this stigma around getting therapy is well and alive in our day and age.
Therapy is not exclusively for people who are mentally “sick.” It serves a broad spectrum of needs, offering support for personal growth, life transitions, relationship challenges, and emotional well-being.
Think of therapy as a form of self-care, like going to the gym for your mental health—it’s not only for crises but also for enhancing your quality of life.
Many people seek therapy to better understand themselves, manage stress, or explore questions about identity and purpose.
Clinical psychologists, while trained to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD, do not limit their work to those with clinical diagnoses. They also help individuals navigate challenges that may not meet the criteria for a disorder but still impact their happiness or functioning.
Using evidence-based approaches, they guide people toward greater resilience and fulfilment.
Unfortunately, the misconception persists that therapy is only for “sick” people, creating stigma around seeking help. In reality, therapy is a proactive, empowering step to improve mental health, much like preventive care or coaching in other areas of life.
Whether you’re facing significant struggles or simply want to grow, therapy is a valuable tool to support well-being and help you thrive.
What can I expect from my first session?
The first session is typically a time for you and your therapist to get to know each other.
We’ll discuss your background, the concerns that brought you to therapy, and your goals for treatment.
It’s a collaborative process, so this session also helps you determine if the therapist’s approach feels comfortable and suitable for your needs.
How long will therapy take?
The duration of therapy varies depending on your goals and the complexity of the issues you’re addressing. Some clients may find resolution in just a few sessions, while others may benefit from longer-term support. Together, we can adjust the frequency and length of therapy as needed based on your needs and progress.
How much will therapy cost?
Therapy fees vary based on experience, location, and whether sessions are online or in person.
I offer transparent pricing and discuss potential costs upfront, ensuring that the financial aspect is clear.
I also work with clients to find a format that suits their budget, including sliding scale options if applicable.
How does online therapy work?
Online therapy provides flexibility and accessibility, using secure video platforms, phone calls, or messaging to conduct sessions.
While some people are initially unsure about online therapy, research suggests it can be just as effective as in-person sessions for many clients.
We’ll ensure you have the right technology and privacy settings to create a comfortable virtual environment.
How do I choose the right therapist?
Choosing the right therapist is a personal decision and arguably the most crucial aspect of therapy.
Your relationship with your therapist needs to be based on mutual trust and so it is important to find someone whose expertise aligns with your concerns and with whom you feel comfortable.
It’s also essential to feel a personal connection and a sense of understanding with your therapist.
In my practice, I prioritize the importance of the therapeutic alliance to ensure that I align with my clients on their journey.
What if I don't feel comfortable with my therapist?
It’s important to feel comfortable and safe in therapy.
If you ever feel that your working relationship with your therapist isn’t the right fit, the key is to communicate these feelings openly.
Keep in mind that therapy sessions are for you and during that time you are not supposed to cater to anyone else’s needs but your own.
Sometimes, the issue lies with an (subjectively) ineffective therapeutic approach which can usually be adjusted by your therapist. In some cases, it can signify the incompatibility with your therapist and in that case a therapist can refer you to another professional. But it is important to note, that quite often, uncomfortable feelings arise in therapy as a natural response to the evolution of the therapeutic relationship. After all, therapy requires some level of vulnerability and dedication and it might prove to be challenging.
So, to reiterate, clear communication is key and in order to understand the root of these feelings, it is always best to talk it through with your therapist.
What should I talk about in therapy?
There are no rules about what ‘should’ be discussed in therapy as it is such a deeply personal and ultimately subjective process.
In other words, you can talk about whatever is on your mind. Whether it’s a specific issue you’re facing, past experiences, or broader emotional struggles, therapy is a space for you to express yourself freely.
Together we can explore the underlying patterns, triggers, and strategies to move you forward.
What happens if I miss a session?
If you need to skip a session, please let me know as soon as possible. We can reschedule, but I may charge a fee for missed appointments without prior notice.
It’s important to maintain consistency in therapy, but sometimes life happens and situations arise, so we can figure out a better time alternative together.
Can therapy help with things like addiction or trauma?
Yes, therapy is incredibly effective for addressing trauma, addiction, and a myriad of other mental health challenges.
Specialized approaches, such as trauma-focused therapy or psychedelic integration, can help healing from past wounds and managing triggers.
Therapy helps you understand the impact of these issues and develop healthier coping mechanisms to move toward recovery.
Using specialized techniques like trauma-informed care, or cognitive-behavioural techniques for example, we can work together to heal past wounds and create lasting change.
How can I prepare for therapy?
There’s no need to prepare extensively for therapy, but it can certainly be helpful to reflect on what you hope to achieve and any key challenges you’d like to address in therapy.
If you have specific goals or concerns in mind, bring them to our first session, and we’ll develop a plan together. That being said, just showing up for therapy (and ultimately, for yourself) is enough, we can set the goals together as part of the process.
Is therapy confidential?
Client-therapist confidentiality is a cornerstone of therapy ensuring a safe space for you to open up and work through certain issues.
Everything you share in our sessions remains between us and your trust in me will always be essential to our work together.
There are a few exceptions in which I, as your psychotherapist, might need to disclose certain details from our sessions. If you are posing a threat to yourself, your therapist might need to contact your family doctor or your emergency contact and alert them to your state to ensure your safety.
What’s the difference between a clinical psychologist, a psychiatrist and a psychotherapist?
Whereas all 3 professions deal with/revolve around mental health, there are a few key differences.
Most importantly, all 3 professions require extensive academic training, supervised internships, and a professional license.
Please always check the credentials of a person you are considering of working with, to make sure that they actually have proper and legitimate background and experience to deal with mental health concerns.
That being said, the distinction between these 3 professions lies mostly in the specialization chosen.
A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor, trained in a medical school, who is able to diagnose and treat mental disorders. This is also the only profession that allows actual prescription of various drugs, e.g. antidepressants.
Whereas psychiatrists mostly deal with a medical side of the mental health issues, they are also trained to conduct psychotherapy.
A Clinical Psychologist is someone who is able to diagnose and treat mental conditions through various evidence-based approaches in psychotherapy.
Whereas a clinical psychologist might suggest certain medications, they have no authority to prescribe any drugs and in cases where medication is required, they will refer you a psychiatrist for further evaluation and medicinal treatment.
A Psychologist can work in a wide array of settings, from organizations (e.g. HR) to hospitals.
A Psychotherapist is a specialist trained in providing therapy, usually within one specific approach, e.g. cognitive-behavioural therapy.
Normally, they do not conduct diagnostics of the issues and refer their clients to a clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist for evaluations.
What are the therapeutic approaches out there? Whats yours?
There is a plenitude of approaches in therapy, ranging from a ‘classic’ psychoanalytical approach to a cognitive behavioral or humanistic approach.
I’ve been trained in multiple major evidence-based approaches.
In my practice I normally incorporate a blend of techniques from various approaches to cater to specific needs of my clients.
With lots of peer-reviewed scientific research available (and more coming out every day!) there is no shortage of techniques and tools to try.
To choose the right approach, I need to understand what kind of issues my client is experiencing and also what is the most efficient way for my client to address them.
What to look for in a therapist?
First and foremost, you should feel heard and understood — like they genuinely get you.
A great therapist creates a safe, comfortable space where you can open up without fear of judgment.
They help you set clear goals and guide you toward achieving them, balancing support with the occasional challenge to help you grow.
A good therapist will confront you when necessary, or when you’re ready, to push you in the right direction.
They’re open to feedback, too, and you can tell they genuinely care about making the process work for you.
Naturally, a therapist must have the appropriate and legit credentials, but just as important is that they keep up with the latest research and techniques to give you the best care possible.
Over time, you should notice progress—no big transformations overnight, but steps that show you’re moving forward.
A good therapist keeps healthy boundaries: they’re warm and empathetic without crossing any lines. And here’s the unspoken truth: the best therapists are those who also work on themselves. They’ve done their own inner work and continue to do so, which helps them truly connect and guide others.
Finding the right therapist is no small feat, but knowing what to look for can make a difference.
Can online therapy actually help?
Online therapy has proven to be a beneficial and effective modality for delivering mental health services.
Research indicates that online therapy is comparable in efficacy to traditional face-to-face therapy for a variety of psychological issues, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD (Saddichha et al., 2014; Christ et al., 2020).
Its accessibility is a key advantage, providing services to individuals in remote areas or those with mobility restrictions.
Additionally, online therapy often reduces barriers such as stigma, allowing clients to seek help from the comfort of their homes.
Technological platforms also support various therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which has been extensively validated in online formats (Gratzer & Khalid-Khan, 2015).
However, limitations such as the need for reliable internet access and potential concerns about confidentiality should be addressed.
Overall, evidence suggests that online therapy is a viable and effective option for many, expanding access to mental health care while maintaining high standards of therapeutic outcomes.