Frequently Asked Questions
Thinking about therapy but not quite sure what to expect? These are some of the questions I hear most often.
About Starting Therapy
I've always been someone who handles things on my own. Why isn't that working anymore?
This is probably the most common thing I hear from people who reach out. The skills that have carried you this far — self-sufficiency, pushing through, staying focused on others — are real strengths. But they have limits. Midlife has a way of bringing accumulated stress, loss, and change all at once, in ways that are genuinely harder to manage alone. Reaching out isn't a sign that something is wrong with you. It's a sign that you're paying attention.
I'm not in crisis. Is therapy still appropriate for me?
Absolutely. Therapy isn't only for people at a breaking point. Many of the people I work with are functioning well on the outside but privately feel depleted, disconnected, or stuck. You don't need to hit a wall to deserve support. If something feels off and you want to understand it better, that's enough.
I've tried therapy before and it didn't really help. Why would this be different?
That's a fair question and worth taking seriously. Therapy is most effective when there's a good fit between the person and the therapist — in approach, style, and focus. I work specifically with adults in midlife, and my approach is insight-oriented and relational rather than purely technique-driven. If you've had therapy that felt too generic or surface-level, that may not have been the right fit. A consultation call is a good way to get a sense of whether working together would feel different.
How Therapy Works
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We talk. That sounds simple, but the quality of the conversation is different from most conversations in your life — slower, more honest, more focused on your internal experience rather than problem-solving or managing. In the beginning we spend time understanding your story, what's brought you here, and what you're hoping for. Over time the work deepens, and you start to see patterns and connections you hadn't noticed before.
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Most people start with weekly sessions, especially early in the work. Consistency matters — it builds momentum and gives the work room to develop. As things shift and stabilize, we may move to every other week. The pace is always something we discuss together.
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It varies, and I won't give you a number that isn't meaningful. Some people notice real shifts within a few months. Others are working through more layered or longstanding patterns and benefit from longer-term work. What I can tell you is that we'll set clear intentions for the work and check in regularly on how things are progressing. You're never just drifting.
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I meet with my clients weekly, especially in the beginning of the therapeutic relationship. Research shows that consistent, frequent sessions is most effective at making positive changes. Once you are seeing progress, we may discuss decreasing to every other week until you meet your goals and "graduate" from therapy.
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Show up honestly. The work we do in sessions is most useful when you're also noticing things between sessions — patterns, reactions, moments that feel relevant. You don't need to arrive with everything figured out. Curiosity about yourself is enough to start.
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I am so glad you are dedicated to getting the most out of your sessions. Your active participation and dedication is what is most crucial to your success. After all, we generally only see each other for a session a week. It’s the work you do outside of our sessions that will really help you move ahead with your personal growth and development.
Practical Questions
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Yes. I offer in-person therapy at my office in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, and secure telehealth sessions for clients across Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC.
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My primary focus is adults in their 40s through 60s navigating the emotional challenges of midlife — anxiety, depression, grief, transitions, and identity questions. That said, I work with motivated adults across a range of ages when there's a good fit.
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My approach draws on psychodynamic therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), mindfulness, and coaching perspectives. I don't use a single rigid model — I tailor the approach to you, your goals, and what the work calls for.
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Yes, and for some people a combination is the most effective path. Medication can help manage symptoms; therapy works on the underlying patterns and experiences driving them. If medication feels relevant, I'm happy to discuss that and can coordinate with a prescribing provider if needed.
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You'll share what's been going on and what brought you here. I'll ask questions to understand your experience and your history, and together we'll begin to get a sense of what you're hoping for and how we might work together. It's a conversation, not an intake form.
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That's completely normal — especially for people who aren't used to asking for help. My role is to make the process feel manageable from the very first conversation. You don't have to have the right words or know exactly what you need. Showing up is enough.
Getting Started
How do I schedule a brief consultation?
The initial consultation is a free 15-minute call — a low-stakes way to talk about what's going on and get a sense of whether working together feels right.