FAQs
Frequently asked questions
What are risks & benefits of therapy?
Psychotherapy is a process in which Therapist and Client discuss a myriad of issues, events, experiences and memories for the purpose of creating positive change so Client can experience his/her/their life more fully. It provides an opportunity to better, and more deeply understand oneself, as well as, any problems or difficulties Client may be experiencing. Psychotherapy is a joint effort between Client and Therapist. Progress and success may vary depending upon the particular problems or issues being addressed, as well as many other factors.
Participating in therapy may result in a number of benefits to the client, including, but not limited to reduced stress and anxiety, a decrease in negative thoughts and self-sabotaging behaviors, improved interpersonal relationships, increased comfort in social, work, and family settings, increased capacity for intimacy, and increased self-confidence. Such benefits may also require substantial effort on the part of the client, including an active participation in the therapeutic process, honesty, and a willingness to change feelings, thoughts and behaviors. There is no guarantee that therapy will yield any or all of the benefits listed above.
Participating in therapy may also involve some discomfort, including remembering and discussing unpleasant events, feelings and experiences. The process may evoke strong feelings of sadness, anger, fear, etc. There may be times in which the Therapist will challenge the client’s perceptions and assumptions, and offer different perspectives. The issues presented by the client may result in unintended outcomes, including changes in personal relationships. The client should be aware that any decision on the status of his/her personal relationships is the responsibility of the client.
During the therapeutic process, many clients find that they feel worse before they feel better. This is generally a normal course of events. Personal growth and change may be easy and swift at times, but may also be slow and frustrating. The client should address any concerns he/she has regarding his/her progress in therapy with Therapist.
How long does therapy take?
Length of Treatment is determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on how you feel you are progressing.
It depends on a variety of biological, environmental, historical, spiritual and psychological factors and is unique for everyone. It also depends on your goals, how much work you put into the process, and how often you attend therapy. It is also important to recognize that in the beginning, therapy opens up a lot of feelings, emotions, memories, and bodily sensations that we normally tend to shut down and disconnect from in everyday life. In general, therapy takes time and the amount of effort and commitment you make will impact how quickly you make progress.
I see your commitment to healing yourself as an act of personal empowerment. If you are in a rush to get better, understand that therapy is a process and can be a priceless life changing experience, if you stick with it. As human beings, we desire tangible results and it can be hard to adjust to trusting the process. Unfortunately, because of this many put off getting help until things get so bad they are forced to try something different. That is the thinking that leads to needless additional suffering. An ancient greek philosopher named Aeschylus said that “Wisdom comes from suffering”. While that is true, it’s also important to know when help is needed to suffer less. While learning to become balanced, whole, and complete takes time and has its ups and downs, the best time to start this journey was yesterday, and the second best is today.
Why is therapy so expensive?
In order to bring you the highest quality psychological services, run a successful business, and balance our lives, therapists need to charge a livable rate. The average cost of therapy in the US as of 2022 is between $100-200 / session (depending on the state and experience level).
What are the advantages of doing therapy here vs apps like Betterhelp, Talkspace, etc.?
Here are the main pros and cons based on my experience working briefly with one of the major telehealth platforms in 2021. I left the platform when I became aware of certain potential issues built into the service model.
It goes without saying, that the main pro is that these platforms offer affordable and convenient therapy solutions to individuals that may not otherwise get access to mental health – beautiful!
There are several cons worth mentioning:
- Data mining (This recent study found that 49 out of 50 telehealth platforms “share sensitive data in ways that may harm healthcare clients and patients”.)
- A tech company big business may or may not prioritize client health over their profit margin.
- Ethical and legal issues that haven’t been fully considered due to this relatively new therapy model.
- These platforms can present a challenge to therapists in terms of burnout, sustainability, and modeling healthy relationships.
- In person may not be an option.
For more information, this interview sheds more light on the issue.
If you are unable to afford traditional therapy, please see below.
What if I can't afford traditional therapy?
Many people believe that they cannot pay for therapy because they do not believe the cost is justified. I understand. Even as a person that highly values therapy, there was a time where I struggled to afford it. I made my best effort to afford it when I could. If this is the case, I encourage you to inquire into a sliding scale / reduced rate option by messaging me here (LINK).
If that is still not affordable, there are many sites and therapists that offer heavily reduced rates, including:
I don’t see why talking about my problems will help. How would I benefit?
Therapy isn’t just talking about your feelings, it is experiencing your self with a higher resolution image, taking responsibility, and building strength to face your darkness. It takes a lot of strength to admit a struggle. A lot of men are emotionally saturated, cut off and can’t even come close to their inner space. This is a problem and the solution is to have a place to step into, to better your life. I offer men a place to do the deep work. I heard it said that the task of the masculine principle is to face your vulnerably and hone your edge – that is the mission.
If you are still not convinced, listen to this great Mantalks podcast.
Is a holistic approach right for me?
If you are interested in spirituality, if you have suffered a great deal and traditional treatment modalities have not helped, or if you are open to the idea of “self healing” or natural healing, then you are in the right place. In my experience, my holistic approach has been found to be helpful by individuals that are both spiritual and non-spiritual.
What is your view of psychotropic medication?
I have nothing against medication when used to treat problems. I believe that therapy combined with medication can create an incredibly effective healing outcome. Our brains function with chemistry, and if a certain struggle has interrupted that flow, the external resource of medication can be very beneficial. As a holistic therapist, I believe that ultimately on some level, we may be able to find and cultivate that resource internally (eventually) as well.
What do your sessions look like?
Most sessions are self-directed, with me taking an active listener, non-judgmental, warm and psychoeducational approach. I use a variety of tools that I have found effective as needed during your healing journey. I find that whatever is happening in the moment is helpful information to explore, that will ultimately lead into the deeper issues. When we can understand and meet ourselves where we are, we open up to greater healing potential.
What do you think about psychedelic assisted therapy?
This is both an ancient and “new” and emerging treatment approach that unfortunately was stalled in the 1950s. I am very excited about the potential of using plant medicine to heal and am actively learning more about this. I have had some experience supporting clients with integrating and reducing harm from their experiences after using certain plant medicines on their own. I am more than happy to discuss this with you as this “new” old field continues to take form in our society.
Do you offer walk / talk or adventure therapy?
This is something that I am capable of providing. If you are interested in this service please reach out to me and we will discuss considerations for doing it.
How do I know if group or individual therapy is for me?
This depends on your unique needs. We can discuss this more, but in general…
Working one on one provides a unique opportunity to deepen awareness of the factors that contribute to dis-ease and suffering, learn to enhance your innate capability and desire towards growth, wholeness and consciousness, and ultimately find or restore balance in your life.
Group is an environment to gain support, learn to deal with relational issues, and explore “who you are” within relationships. By coming together with a group of people, you will have the opportunity to both engage others as well as gain greater insight into your thoughts, feelings and needs.