Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling in Dublin, CA
Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy in Dublin, CA
Who knew when you started googling find a therapist near me that you would’ve find so many options, and be left with SO many questions? I am here to help!
How long counseling sessions typically last?
Sessions are 50 minutes.
What happens during the first counseling session?
During our first appointment I will briefly review the policies you signed online, what to expect in therapy, and any questions you have about me or how I work. Then I’ll shut up and get to know you, your story, and what brings you to therapy at this junction. At the end of session we’ll form goals for our work. I like to ask my clients “If therapy is successful, how will you know? What will be different about your life? How will you know when you’re ready to be done with therapy?”
How do I know if I really need counseling?
If you’ve been wondering if you could benefit from therapy for a long time, but putting it off, now is as good of time as any to get started. Often people come to counseling because of a relationship problem, because of something traumatic or challenging they are facing, to learn better coping skills for big feelings that seem to be interrupting their life, learning to manage anxiety or depression, etc.
How often will I need to come to counseling?
I’ve found that my clients that commit to weekly sessions meet & sustain their goals faster than clients that come in every other week or more irregularly. Therapy is an investment of your energy, time and money. I’m mindful of that and want to make the most of it. Because I want the best outcome for you, I schedule recurring weekly appointments with my clients. If this isn’t what you’re looking for, I’d be happy to refer you out to other therapists.
How long will I need to come to counseling?
The length of therapy depends on a variety of factors, including the your goals, needs, treatment plan, and resources available. Most of my clients are in therapy for about 6 months, though some stay for longer.
How much do sessions cost?
Fees range from $125 to $165 for a 50 minute individual session & $125-$185 for a 50 minute couples session. When requested, longer sessions may be available and my fee will be prorated accordingly.
Are sessions covered by my insurance?
I am an out of network provider and do not bill insurance. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Some insurance providers will provide reimbursement for out-of-network providers & I am happy to provide a superbill for reimbursement that you can submit directly to your insurance carrier. Be sure to check with your insurance plan for your eligibility.
What if I need to cancel?
I hold your appointment spot for you and have a 48 hour cancellation policy. I get that life happens and sometimes we don’t always have 48 hours notice, so I try to offer one grace fee waive. No shows or sessions cancelled within the 48 hour window will be charged the full session fee.
What is your availability
Availability varies by therapist schedule. Contact us to talk about your counseling needs and discuss scheduling options. If we aren’t able to fit you in our schedules, we are happy to provide referrals to other therapists that we know and trust.
Where do sessions take place? Do you offer video sessions?
You are welcome to come to my east bay therapy office in Dublin or schedule virtual sessions using a HIPPAA compliant platform, or some hybrid depending on the scheduling of your week. My office is on Dublin Blvd, conveniently located right off 580/680 to serve clients seeking therapy in Dublin, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Danville, Walnut Creek, Livermore, Castro Valley and the greater east Bay Area.
Who do you work with?
Mackenzie tends to work with young women navigating anxiety and relationship issues in their 20’s, partners healing from betrayal trauma after discovering their spouse or significant other is dealing with sex addiction, and folks that want to integrate their faith into therapy. I love working with people who want to primarily EMDR to face some traumatic experiences they have been avoiding for years and are ready to face to find freedom.
Allie Kaelin, AMFT, APCC loves to work with teens navigating emotional challenges, young women working on finding their confidence and health in relationships, and couples who need support.
Can we do EMDR virtually?
Yes! Some people prefer to come in person to my office to do EMDR, but there are ways we can adapt EMDR to virtual or telehealth sessions. I have seen EMDR be just as effective virtually as it is in person.
What if counseling isn't working?
In our first session we’ll make goals for therapy. I regularly monitor progress towards those goals & check in with you to make sure we are on track. If it seems like we are stuck or you aren’t progressing, we’ll have a conversation about what may need to change in order for you to meet your goals.
Do you incorporate faith in therapy?
I am happy to integrate faith into our work if that would be meaningful to you. We’ll talk more in depth about what you’d like that to look like (or not) during the first session. I am trained as marriage & family therapist, not as a pastor or spiritual director. If you’ve got questions about that, check out my blog about being a Christian counselor.
How do I know when I’m done with counseling?
If I do my job well, it means eventually I work myself out of a job. I make a practice of checking in on our progress regularly, making sure we are on track towards our goals & you are feeling understood. When we meet our goals, we’ll celebrate your progress & graduate.
Okay, I’m ready start therapy. What do I do next?
Fill out this contact form & you’ll automatically be redirected to directly schedule a free 15 minute consult to make sure I’m the best fit for you. During our consult call I’ll have you briefly share what's bringing you to therapy and what you are hoping for, and I’ll share more about what to expect if you work with me. The goal is for both of us to sense if we are a good fit for one another. If you’re ready to move forward, we’ll schedule and get you set up, and if it’s a not a good fit I’ll provide you a list of referrals of people who may be able to help you at this time. Read more about what to expect in therapy with me after that consult call.
I know it can feel like a big step to start therapy, but I’ll make it easy. We’ll spend 15-minutes on the phone and I’ll let you know how or if I can help. If I am not the right person, I’ll do my best to get you to the right person.
Contact me here to schedule your free 15-minute phone consultation for counseling in Dublin, CA.