You’ve started to think about searching for a therapist. You feel like you are at a point where you need help but you’re not sure what to expect from therapy. You’re not even sure if this is what you need. Or if therapy can actually help with what you’re going through right now.
Maybe you have childhood trauma that is coming to the surface. Perhaps you’ve recently had a big life transition to a new job, death in the family, birth of a child, or change of life cycle stage, like graduation or marriage.
All major life events, joyful and difficult alike, can be walked through with the support of therapy. You don’t have to go through this alone. You don’t have to handle this by yourself. Your symptoms don’t mean that there is something wrong with you.
Knowing more about therapy ahead of time aligns your expectations and helps you fully decide if therapy is right for you at this time.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions for first-timers in therapy.
What Should I Expect in the First Session?
The very first session is a chance for you to determine if the therapist will be a good fit for you. Like any meaningful, working relationship, you want to find someone who makes you feel safe, comfortable and heard. The therapist will review some general policies and practices with you. Then they will ask you questions about what brought you to therapy.
Know that as the client, you set the tone and the speed for the session. You can say as much or as little detail as you are comfortable with in this first session. Your therapist should meet you where you are at each time you arrive at the session.
Is Therapy Confidential?
The information that you say in the therapy room is generally confidential between yourself and the therapist. However, there are some limitations to confidentiality, which include:
- Intention to harm yourself or end your life
- Plans to harm others
- Child abuse or neglect
- Elder abuse or neglect
- Anyone under the age of 18 being harmed by another person
As a mandated reporter, a therapist legally must break confidentiality for these specific limitations to keep you and others safe. Everything else you say stays in the room.
Do I Have to Talk About My Deepest Childhood Traumas?
The short answer is no! You don’t have to do anything you do not want to do in the therapy space. Keep in mind that therapy will be uncomfortable at times; it is in this discomfort we find our largest capacity for growth. However, there are many methods of therapy that assist you with healing from or coping with trauma that don’t require you to uncover every detail of your childhood with your therapist.
How Long Will I Have to Be in Therapy?
Each client requires a different frequency and length of therapy. It depends on what your goals are. Expect that the first handful of sessions will involve building the relationship with your therapist. It is this therapeutic relationship that is one of the most predictive factors of outcomes in therapy.
That said, you are always in control of your own treatment. You can and should collaborate with your therapist on what treatment plan will better help you reach your goals. Together, you should define specifically what it will look like and how you will know once those goals are achieved.
There are also different methods of therapy that may have more structure to them in terms of the time you’ll spend in therapy. For example, Solution Focused therapy is a shorter form of treatment focused on solutions to a specific issue you are facing in your life in the present.
Additionally, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be a structured form of therapy in which the therapist may walk you through the steps for treatment. Feel free to ask your therapist which approaches they use, and even which ones they recommend given your goals for therapy.
Is Online Therapy Available?
Yes! We offer secure online therapy sessions for individuals, couples, and families throughout New Jersey. Online therapy provides the same professional, compassionate care as in-person sessions but with added convenience and flexibility. You can connect with your therapist from the comfort of your own home, during your lunch break, or anywhere with a reliable internet connection. This eliminates travel time, makes scheduling easier, and can feel more comfortable for those who prefer a familiar environment.
Online therapy is ideal for busy schedules, parents managing childcare, individuals with mobility concerns, or anyone who simply prefers the privacy of meeting from home. Whether you choose in-person or online sessions, you’ll receive the same evidence-based treatment tailored to your unique needs and goals.
Will Medication Be Prescribed?
Therapists provide talk therapy but do not prescribe medication. Psychiatrists, on the other hand, are the mental health professionals who do prescribe medication. However, appointments with psychiatrists often don’t involve in-depth conversations about your struggles and ways to cope. If you are seeking medication, your therapist can certainly work with you to provide a psychiatrist referral. This is done either at your request or at the therapist’s suggestion, if they think it could be helpful for you.
Let’s say your symptoms are causing a level of distress that really impacts your day to day life. You’re trying to practice coping skills, but nothing seems to work because your symptoms make it impossible. Your therapist may recommend speaking with a psychiatrist about medication to lessen the severity of your symptoms. With your symptoms less severe, and daily life feeling a bit easier, you might feel more capable of learning and practicing coping skills in a therapeutic space.
The goal of every therapist is to keep their clients safe and aid them in meeting their goals. Medication can sometimes be a part of this. However, as the client you have full autonomy. If you are not interested in pursuing medication, make that known to your provider! If you’re undecided, you can always have an initial appointment with a psychiatrist. Attending a first appointment can be a great way to learn about your options without committing to moving forward. You do not need to make a decision right then and there. It’s just a way to gather information.
Does Insurance Cover Therapy?
Yes, there are different tiers of coverage when it comes to insurance and therapy. Providers may be:
- In-network
- Out-of-network
- Self-pay/out-of-pocket
- Sliding scale/reduced fee
Here at Mindful Connections, we are in-network with Aetna. We are out-of-network with other insurance companies. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of options!
If you have insurance, you may have out of network benefits, which means possible reimbursement for therapy services. At Mindful Connections Counseling our office manager checks benefits and explores options with you in real-time. These may include a deductible you have to pay out of pocket first, and then a percentage the insurance company will reimburse you based on how much you paid for services. This can make out of network therapy providers a more feasible option for you.
If you don’t have insurance, reduced fee options are available. Contact us to learn more.
How Much Does Therapy in New Jersey Cost?
Fees vary depending on the therapist’s licensure status and experience. Interns and provisionally licensed therapists offer services at a lower rate ($50-$160) compared to fully licensed clinicians or psychologists ($160+).
What therapy services are available at Mindful Connections Counseling?
We proudly offer a wide array of therapy services! Our specialties include:
Couples
Couples Therapy, Infidelity And Affairs, New Parents, Premarital Counseling
Families
Child Therapy, Teen Therapy, Family Therapy, Separation And Divorce, Parent Coaching, Blended Families, Separation Anxiety
Individuals
Individual Therapy, EMDR, Trauma Therapy, Anxiety Treatment, Grief Counseling, Pet Loss, Race-Related Stress
New Moms, Pregnancy, Eating Disorders, Mind-Body Wellness, Cannabis-Informed Psychotherapy, Art Therapy
How Do I Get Started With Therapy in New Jersey?
With some of these frequently asked questions answered, perhaps you’re more open to therapy than you were before. Whether you are ready to start seeking a therapist or are still a bit unsure, here are some recommendations for getting started.
- Request a free phone consultation for any therapist you are considering scheduling with. This is usually a free, 10-15 minute phone call that allows you to speak directly to the therapist to determine if they may be the right fit for you.
- Read the therapist or practice’s available blogs on topics that resonate with you. This can give you a good sense of how they may approach this particular issue and if it sounds like something you would find helpful.
- Know that the therapy space is for you. If the fit does not feel right, this may not be the therapist or style of treatment for you. It can take some time to find a therapist due to the importance and intimacy of this relationship. You want to feel comfortable, safe and heard in the therapy room. Sometimes this can take a few tries with a few different therapists, and that’s okay!