I am nervous about starting therapy, is that normal?

It’s totally normal to be nervous about starting therapy. It can be scary to think of opening up or crying in front of someone new, perhaps fearing that it will be awkward and uncomfortable. It takes courage to start going to therapy. The fact that you are on this website, looking for help, and reading this right now shows that you are being brave and seeking help.

Therapy is a space where you can be yourself and feel safe from judgement, including feeling nervous. I’m committed to finding a way to care for your nervousness and ensure sessions are as comfortable as possible.

Individual Counseling consists of 60-minute, one-on-one sessions that help you work through your concerns. In addition to listening, therapists will ask questions and, together, we will work towards solutions. Keep in mind, therapists don’t “fix” problems for you. We walk with you as you uncover them and then we work on them together. Our goal is to uncover strengths, learn new life skills, and lower your overall anxiety in life.

Even if you are not sure if your problem is serious enough, counseling provides someone to simply listen. Someone who listens with no agenda or plan.

How do I know if you are the right therapist for me?

Take your time to read through my website. If you sense that I may be a good fit based on what you are reading, let’s chat.

During a free phone consultation, you can ask me about how I have helped other people like you before, what a typical session with me is like, or any other questions you may have that are specific to you. You’ll also be able to tell me what’s up and we can decide together how I can help.

The first sessions are like an experiment to see how things go. During the sessions, you’ll be able to see how you feel working with me. My approach is not going to work for everyone. What’s most important to me is that you find someone who you feel is the right fit for you. We can explore that together.

Does what we talk about remain confidential?

You may be concerned that your friends or family could learn what you have said during therapy. I want you to know that unless there is an imminent danger to yourself or someone else, everything you share with me during individual counseling is completely confidential. Your privacy and trust are of utmost importance.

During group counseling, I encourage group members to keep what we discuss within the group. However, I cannot guarantee complete confidentiality since there are other folks involved.

How long will therapy take?

This question is hard to answer as the process is different for every client. On average, my new clients start seeing progress after the first few sessions. Some of my clients find six weeks to be enough to resolve immediate challenges, some twelve weeks. Other clients feel more supported by longer term therapy.

We will work together to find the length of time that works for you and your family.

What can I expect in the first session?

Overall, you can think of the first session as simply a conversation through which we start getting to know each other. I’ll invite you to share more about yourself, and we can also talk about what’s worked or not worked for you in the past.

Some questions that I like to ask during a first session include:

• What made you decide to come to therapy?

• What goals would you like to achieve during our time together?

You can ask me questions as well. You might be curious about why I’m a therapist or how I’ve helped other clients like you.

The most important part of a first session is that you see if you feel I’m a good fit for you. If you feel supported, accepted, and comfortable with me, we can discuss if you’d like to meet again.

Email amanda@lucerecounseling.com to schedule a free 15 minute initial phone consultation.

How much are sessions?

Individual Session (60 mins.): $160

Family Session (90 mins.): $200

Small Group Counseling: $50 per session

Do you take insurance?

Currently I am able to accept Aetna, Cigna, and Optum insurances through Alma. However, I can provide a Superbill for you to submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement if I remain Out-of-Network for you.