Frequently Asked Questions
Common FAQ’s that I hear
What is telehealth therapy?
Telehealth refers to therapy services provided online via video. In this case, it means you use a HIPAA compliant platform that has video and audio to speak with the therapist who will also have video and audio in real time. For telehealth, you must make sure you are in a confidential and safe location with good, reliable access to internet connection
Research has demonstrated that telehealth is equivalent to in-person services in regards to effectiveness. Accessing therapy online increases your access to providers, as you are not limited to providers in any particular geographic region (who may or may not be accepting new clients). Online therapy also reduces the time needed for appointments, as you do not have to deal with traffic or parking.
How frequently will I have appointments?
This depends on a number of factors. Generally speaking, I recommend weekly or biweekly (meeting every other week) appointments for at least a few months so that we establish a trusting relationship and can build momentum together towards your goals. I will more often recommend monthly or bimonthly appointments for maintenance and check-ins.
No matter what, this is your journey and if finances or time are an issue, you need to make the best choice for you and in most cases, I will collaborate with you to help make therapy work best for your needs.
What are all the letters behind a therapist's name?
When looking for a therapist, the letters behind their name can describe their training and education levels. Some examples:
License: LMHC, LMFT, LCSW: Licensed therapist (Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker). These indicate their training and that they are fully licensed to provide therapy services.
AMFT, AMHC, RMHCI, RCSWI: These indicate that the therapist is an pre-licensure therapist, who is working on obtaining their full license and are working with a therapist who is qualified to provide supervision and gaining professional experience to become independently license after obtaining their graduate degree.
Education Level:
Masters Degree: MA, MS, Med
Doctoral Degree: PHD, PsyD, EdD
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. If you have ever seen someone sleep you may have seen when their eyes move back and forth. This occurs when the brain enters REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and when we are dreaming. Reseach indicates that when we are dreaming our brains are sorting and storing information so that we are able to more effectively and efficently respond to repeated experiences. With trauma, our brain can often store the information incorrectly or leave it front and center of our mind so it gets triggered more easily and is harder to move on from. EMDR tries to use bilateral stimulation to recreate REM sleep (while you are fully awake) and allow your brain to do what it does naturally. This allows the current symptoms you are experiencing from the past to be resolved so they don't impact your future. I am a firm believer that no part of your system wants to hurt you, but it thinks it's protecting you. With EMDR your brain and body can get back on the same page so those protectors stop bullying you in the name of safety.
What is the difference between Therapists, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and Life coaches?
Therapist:
Licensed mental health professionals (LMHC, LMFT, LCSW, etc.)
Their purpose is to use different skills and exercises to assist client's with processing emotional, relational, and life challenges. They also teach coping skills, assist client's in coping with stress, overcoming trauma, understanding anxiety, depression and other diagnoses. Therapists cannot prescribe medication. Working with a therapist is best for ongoing support, managing emotions and everyday mental health struggles and learning practical tools.
Psychiatrist:
Medical doctors (MD or DO)
They diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication (antidepressants, mood stabilizers, ADHD meds, etc.), and sometimes provide therapy, but many focus mainly on medication management
Psychologist:
Doctoral-level professionals (PhD or PsyD), not medical doctors
They provide psychological testing and assessments (IQ tests, personality tests, ADHD/autism evaluations), they sometimes provide talk therapy (CBT, psychodynamic, trauma therapy, etc.), they diagnose mental health conditions, and they usually cannot prescribe medication (very limited exceptions in some places)
Life Coach:
No required license, not medical or mental health professionals
They assist with goal-setting, motivation, improving habits, confidence and productivity. Most focus on assisting client's reach their future goals. Some work with organization or ADHD. They do not diagnose or treat mental illness.
What does an EMDR session look like?
During EMDR sessions, you remain fully aware and in control. Your therapist may ask you to briefly focus on a memory, feeling, or belief while guiding you through bilateral stimulation. Bilateral stimulation is when eye movements, physical tapping, or sounds move from one side to the other and back again. BLS helps the brain reprocess memories that still feel distressing by replicating REM sleep. This process helps the brain naturally work through the experience in a new way. As the session continues, you may notice thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations shifting. Some people feel relief, clarity, or emotional release, while others experience subtle changes over time. There is no single “correct” response; everyone experiences processing differently.
EMDR sessions do not only focus on the trauma, the sessions will also focus on teaching you new coping skills, called resources, as well as install positive preferred beliefs. To "install" the positive beliefs, the therapist will help you recognize and notice the positive, safe or neutral emotions and body sensations before, during and after "removing" the negative symptoms that are causing you distress. This helps your body practice and relearn what it means to feel safe, calm or even neutral.
Your therapist will check in with you throughout the session and adjust the pace as needed, but does not typically engage in typical talk therapy techniques during these sessions. The goal is to let your brain process as needed and to always to support healing in a way that feels manageable and respectful of your boundaries.