Frequently Asked Questions

What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is a variety of treatment techniques that aim to help you identify and change unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behaviors through having conversations with a mental health professional. Psychotherapy can help with several different issues, ranging from stress and relationship issues to mental health conditions.

What are the benefits of psychotherapy?

There are many benefits to engaging in therapy. Some of these include: gaining a better understanding of oneself, figuring out life goals and prospects, improving personal relationships, developing coping skills, enhancing problem-solving abilities, making positive changes to problem behaviors, and boosting self-esteem. Every client has different goals, and we will work together to identify your specific goals in treatment and come up with a treatment plan suited to your individual needs.

How long does treatment take?

The length of treatment is up to you! Here at Kennedy Counseling, my goal is to help you learn the tools you need to improve your quality of life and sustain change on your own. For some, we can accomplish this goal within 12-16 sessions and then move on! Others like the idea of continually working on themselves and coming to therapy indefinitely for a sense of security. The type of treatment is also a factor. Evidence based therapies like EX/RP for OCD are generally time limited, while general talk therapy or psychodynamic therapy can go on for however long you find it beneficial. We will work together to determine the length of treatment when we start and constantly re-assess throughout treatment.

How often do we meet?

Generally, I find it most effective to meet weekly for the first few months of treatment. As you progress towards your goals you may find it unnecessary to meet every week and decide that biweekly would be best. Just like the length of treatment, we will work together to come up with an individualized plan that best suits your needs.

Why don't you take my insurance?

The reason I don't take all insurance is because of the constraints they put on clinicians. I do not have as much flexibility to engage in the treatments that would be most effective, nor do I have any say in the reimbursement rates. Unfortunately, there are a lot of hoops to jump through that make it more complicated for both the clinician and client when working with insurance.

How can I afford treatment?

Therapy should be viewed as an investment in your future. While it may seem expensive, the benefits of therapy can save a lot of time and money in the long run because with commitment to yourself, you will be spending less time and energy dealing with interpersonal issues, feel happier and more productive, and perform better in all areas of your life. Paying for therapy also increases motivation and can help you achieve your goals by sticking with the work, even when it can seem difficult.