Question 1

What ages do you work with in individual therapy?

Accepted Answer

I work with children, adolescents, and adults, adapting therapy to each person’s age, needs, and goals.My work is informed by a lifespan perspective, with attention to the developmental, relational, and life-stage factors that shape how people understand themselves, make sense of their experiences, respond to their environments, and relate to others.

Question 2

What kinds of issues do you work with?

Accepted Answer

I work with a wide range of emotional, relational, and life challenges, including anxiety, depression, stress, perfectionism, self-criticism, relationship difficulties, grief, trauma, identity questions, and major transitions.For children and adolescents, therapy may also address emotional regulation, behavior, school or peer difficulties, family changes, self-esteem, and developmental transitions.

Question 3

How do I know if therapy might be helpful?

Accepted Answer

Therapy may be helpful if you are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, distressed, or noticing patterns that are difficult to change on your own. You do not need to be in crisis or have a specific diagnosis to begin.Some people come to therapy for support during a difficult period, while others want to better understand themselves, their relationships, or recurring patterns in their lives.

Question 4

What is your approach to individual therapy?

Accepted Answer

My approach is integrative and relational, combining deeper exploration with practical strategies based on what is most helpful for each person. Therapy may involve understanding underlying patterns, developing greater emotional awareness, and finding new ways of responding to difficult thoughts, feelings, relationships, or situations.With children and adolescents, I adapt the work to their developmental level and may incorporate play, creative activities, visual tools, skills-based strategies, and collaboration with parents or caregivers when appropriate.

Question 5

What happens during the first session?

Accepted Answer

The first session is a chance for me to learn more about what brings you to therapy, what has been happening recently, and what you hope might be different. We may also talk about relevant experiences and history that help provide context, and you’ll have space to ask questions about the therapy process.For children and adolescents, the initial process often includes time with parents or caregivers to learn more about developmental history, family and school context, current difficulties, and goals for treatment. I also typically spend time meeting with the child or adolescent individually, with the structure of the session adapted to their age and developmental needs.

Question 6

How is therapy different for children, adolescents, and adults?

Accepted Answer

With adults, therapy may involve understanding current difficulties, exploring emotional and relationship patterns, and developing new ways of responding to thoughts, feelings, and situations.With children and adolescents, I adapt the work to their developmental stage and way of communicating. Younger children may express themselves more naturally through play, drawing, or activities, while adolescents may benefit from a combination of conversation, emotional exploration, practical strategies, and support around relationships, identity, school, and growing independence.

Question 7

How are parents involved when you work with children or adolescents?

Accepted Answer

Parent involvement varies depending on the child’s age, developmental level, and the issues being addressed. With younger children, parents are often more actively involved in treatment. With adolescents, I aim to balance appropriate parent collaboration with the young person’s need for privacy and a trusting therapeutic relationship.We discuss expectations around parent involvement, communication, and confidentiality at the beginning of treatment and revisit them as needed.

Question 8

How often do we meet?

Accepted Answer

Therapy typically begins with weekly sessions, which helps build continuity and momentum in the work. As therapy progresses, we can discuss whether a different frequency makes sense based on your needs, goals, and progress.For children and adolescents, regular sessions can also help build trust and provide consistency, with frequency adjusted when appropriate based on the child’s needs and progress.

Question 9

How long does therapy usually last?

Accepted Answer

There is no single timeline that fits everyone. Some people come to therapy for a focused issue or period of transition, while others benefit from longer-term work involving patterns or difficulties that have developed over time. I regularly revisit our goals and progress so that the length and focus of therapy continue to reflect what is most helpful for you.For children and adolescents, the length of therapy may also depend on how they are doing over time at home, at school, and in relationships, as well as whether the changes made in therapy are becoming more consistent in everyday life.

Question 10

Do you offer both in-person and virtual therapy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I offer both in-person and virtual therapy, and we can consider which format works best for your needs, preferences, and circumstances.For children and adolescents, whether virtual therapy is a good fit depends on age, developmental level, ability to engage through a screen, privacy at home, and the nature of the difficulties being addressed. In some cases, in-person therapy may be more appropriate.

Individual Therapy

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