The therapy process is very individualized, and length of time is dependent upon various factors, including how often you choose to meet with your therapist. It is generally recommended to start with weekly sessions to help get momentum, to have consistent accountability, and to build connection with your therapist. Some people are in therapy for just a few months, while others benefit from 6-12 months, or even ongoing.

The terms therapy, psychotherapy, and counseling are used synonymously.

Most sessions are about 55 minutes in length.

The relationship between you and your therapist is often the most important factor in success. Although it takes time to develop deeper trust, having a sense of comfort from the beginning is helpful. A free 15 minute consultation will allow for you to share a little bit about what you're hoping to work on and make sure you and your counselor are a good fit for one another.

We can bill Aetna, NC State Health Plan, and Medcost insurances. If you have BCBS or another insurance, you can sometimes get reimbursed for therapy by your health insurance company using out-of-network benefits. Ask your therapist for a receipt, called a superbill, to turn into your insurance.

Sessions can be in-person or virtually. Some choose to be in-person for some sessions and then virtually for others. Teletherapy uses a secure platform and you can be in the comfort of your own home or space. Our office is decorated professionally, but with a cozy feel to ensure you will feel welcome. Our team is flexible in scheduling and aware that we all have busy lives.

The efficacy of psychotherapy has been extensively researched and supported by numerous studies across various mental health conditions. Here are some key points and data supporting the effectiveness of psychotherapy:

Meta-Analytic Studies: Meta-analyses consistently show that psychotherapy is effective for a wide range of mental health issues. For example, a study published in the American Psychologist journal in 2013 found that the average therapy client was better off than 79% of untreated individuals (Campbell et al., 2013).

Comparative Effectiveness: Research comparing psychotherapy to other treatments, such as medication, has shown that psychotherapy can be as effective or more effective than medication alone for certain conditions. For instance, a study published in JAMA Psychiatry in 2018 found that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) was equally effective as antidepressant medication in treating depression, with lower rates of relapse after treatment cessation (Cuijpers et al., 2018).

Long-Term Benefits: Psychotherapy has demonstrated long-term benefits beyond the duration of treatment. A study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology in 2013 found that the effects of psychotherapy for depression lasted longer than those of medication, with lower rates of relapse over a two-year follow-up period.

Diverse Populations: Research has shown that psychotherapy is effective across diverse populations, including different age groups, cultural backgrounds, and socioeconomic statuses. Studies have adapted psychotherapeutic approaches to be culturally sensitive and tailored to the needs of specific populations, further supporting its efficacy in diverse contexts.

Neurobiological Changes: Neuroimaging studies have shown that psychotherapy can lead to changes in brain structure and function, indicating its impact on underlying neural mechanisms associated with mental health disorders. These changes can be observed in areas of the brain involved in emotion regulation, cognitive processing, and stress response.

There is no concrete answer for length of time in therapy to achieve your goals. Some find with specific goals that they can complete in 6-8 sessions. Others enjoy having a safe space to talk and learn, and will attend therapy for years. It is hopeful that sessions will build upon each other, bringing you closer to your goals. Some sessions will be focused on learning new coping skills and how to put them into practice. Some sessions will simply involve open discussion or times for venting, with the intention of listening and problem solving. Sometimes you may be given "homework" to achieve smaller goals on your own or write things down in a journal.

There are so many! Some people just want a safe place to talk, share their thoughts, and not burden their friends or family with their problems. You can learn healthier ways of handling stress, understand what ignites your anxiety, improve your self-esteem, work through childhood trauma, and have more fulfilling relationships, just as a few examples.

Specific life changes or events can also spark entering therapy. Examples could be the death of someone close to you, changing jobs, moving to a new area, ending a relationship, or assuming a new role at work or in your household (entering parenthood, becoming a caregiver to an aging parent or chronically ill partner). While friends and family can be helpful supports, having a more neutral person to process with can remind you of your own needs and allow for accountability.

Mental health counseling is really about developing a trusting relationship where you can express yourself without any guilt or shame. Your counselor can help you identify behavior patterns, learn more effective communication skills, learn coping skills and emotional regulation skilus, understand your own strengths and biases, and make positive changes to increase hope and live a more fulfilling life.