What can I expect from starting therapy? My first session?

Therapy can seem intimidating and may even carry a negative stigma in your circle, but it can truly be the safest space you’ll ever experience. Therapists are trained to understand that we have irrational thoughts, experience human error, and have the basic need to be understood. During your first session, we will discuss why you’re seeking therapy, the symptoms you’re experiencing, and get to know each other. Based on this information, I will then explain my treatment plan approach and we will move forward collaboratively.

What are treatment modalities? Why do they matter?

You may have seen CBT, DBT, ERP?!

These are evidence based best practices that guide my work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on analyzing thoughts and the foundational premise is that our thoughts impact our emotions which impact our behaviors. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is therapeutic skills training focusing on managing symptoms. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the best practice for OCD and specific phobias.

Many of my clients have been misdiagnosed and provided with the wrong treatment, some for years. For example, OCD falls under the umbrella of an anxiety disorder; however, you treat generalized anxiety disorder and OCD with two completely different treatment modalities. In fact, talk therapy for OCD can make your symptoms significantly worse. The majority of the time, you won’t know that I am using any of these methods, as I use them conversationally. However, if you’re interested in learning more, please don't hesitate to ask!

Explain more how you help with School Avoidance

I co-founded and expanded one of the first school avoidance programs in New Jersey working with historically treatment resistant youth. The program served on average 50 students per school year and had a success rate of 92%. My background is in Special Education and supervising/developing successful mental health services in a school setting. I have a broad understanding of the needs of the child, family and school. I am able to bridge this gap between all three and collaboratively implement creative interventions.

A child avoiding school is an emotional hardship on the entire family. There is a function of this behavior and avoiding school is a symptom of something deeper. I have a handful of sessions imbedded in my schedule dedicated to school avoidance and special education advocacy. Please contact me if you have a child struggling with chronic absenteeism.

How can therapy help me or my child?

Therapy can help you better understand yourself and others. In addition to treatment of specfic needs (such as anxiety, depression, or ADHD, etc.), therapy can help you with the following: 

• Teach you new stress response skills

• Give you a space to process your thoughts when feeling overwhelmed

• Reduce people-pleasing tendencies

• Create boundaries with family and friends 

• Navigate life transitions such as moving to college, change in relationship status, parenthood, or a new promotion

• Improve your self-esteem and relationship to your body 

• Process past trauma in a safe, and supportive space

Explain confidentiality

You have a legal and ethical right to privacy, or “confidentiality”, in therapy. This means I am legally and ethically obligated to not share information about your sessions, including dates of sessions, what we discussed, your personal identifying information, and even whether or not you are attending therapy. 

There are four exceptions to confidentiality where I legally and ethically am required to disclose details of your case with others: 

1) You sign a Release of Information giving me permission to discuss your case with others (typically a family member or another provider)

2) You express intent* to harm yourself or someone else

3) There is reasonable suspicion of abuse/neglect against a minor child, elderly person (60 or older), or dependent child

4) A court order is received directing the disclosure of information.

* For those suffering with OCD- you may be experiencing harm OCD and have a fear of hurting someone or yourself, this is different than intent. If you’re experiencing Harm OCD, this does not apply to the confidentiality agreement and we will work on this together.