Frequently asked questions
How do I know if therapy is right for me?
Therapy can benefit anyone seeking emotional balance, clarity, or personal growth. If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, counseling provides guidance, tools, and support to help you navigate challenges and improve overall well-being.
What can I expect during my first counseling session?
Your first session focuses on understanding your concerns, goals, and background. Your therapist will create a safe, nonjudgmental space for open conversation and begin developing a personalized plan to support your emotional healing and growth. You may be asked about what brought you to therapy, how you’ve been feeling lately, and what changes you hope to see in your life. These questions aren’t meant to pressure you—they simply help your therapist understand your emotional landscape and your goals. will likely discuss confidentiality, session structure, and how progress is monitored over time.
This is also your opportunity to ask questions, talk about your expectations, express any worries, or discuss what kind of support feels most helpful to you. Many people leave the first session feeling relieved because they finally have a safe space to speak freely without judgment and it helps you begin your healing journey with a sense of direction, comfort, and hope for meaningful change.
Are my therapy sessions completely confidential?
Yes and no.
In most cases, therapy sessions are confidential and protected by privacy laws. Your personal information will not be shared without your consent, ensuring a safe, secure, and trustworthy environment for open communication.
Most of your session information is confidential but there are exceptions. If you discuss a topic that involves harm to yourself or others, there may be a need to breach confidentiality to ensure your safety. A disclosure of child abuse is required to be reported to the authorities, even if the person reporting is now an adult. If a client informs me that they want to hurt themselves or someone else, I also need to take steps to ensure their safety. If I receive a subpoena for court proceedings I can be required to appear and produce records, but this is a rare occurrence. Insurance companies may also require certain information be provided to them and for this reason, some clients choose not to use insurance to pay for services.
How long does it take to see results from therapy?
Therapy outcomes vary depending on your needs and personal goals. Some people notice improvements after a few sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support. Consistent participation and openness help create meaningful, lasting change.
Do you offer online or virtual counseling sessions?
Yes, I offer secure and convenient virtual counseling sessions. You can connectfrom the comfort of your home, making therapy flexible, accessible, and effective for your schedule and lifestyle. At this time, I can only provide services within the state of Maryland.
What credentials do therapists have?
There are several type of professional therapy licenses. The two most common are LCPC’s, which are licensed clinical professional counselors, and LCSW-C’s. which are licensed certified social workers with clinical designations. There are also LCMFT’s, which are licensed marriage and family therapists. All of these professions require a state license in order to provide services in Maryland. These types of therapists are not medical doctors, so no medication is prescribed. If medication needs arise, a consult with your physician or a referral to a psychiatrist would be necessary.
What do I need to do to get started?
You will need to complete a registration in the online portal, or if you have questions you can reach out and I will be glad to answer before you get started. It is important I schedule the time you need to discuss your problem, and unfortunately I do not have walk in hours
