Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Dublin, CA
Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy Dublin, CA
Who knew when you started googling find a therapist Dublin, CA 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, unless scheduled to be extended in advance.
What happens during the first counseling session?
During your first appointment your therapist will briefly review the policies you signed online, what to expect in therapy, and any questions you have. The rest of the session is focused on getting to know you and your story, and what brings you to therapy at this time. At the end of the session we’ll form goals for counseling.
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 a time as any to get started. People go to counseling for a number of reasons, including relationship problems, life transitions or challenges, to manage depression, anxiety or other mental heath disorders, for self-development, etc.
How often will I need to come to counseling?
At Cultivate Therapy Group, we recommend that clients commit to weekly sessions. Clients who come weekly tend to 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, and we want you to make the most of your investment. Once you meet your goals, we can discuss graduating from therapy or adjusting our appointment scheduling.
How long will I need to come to counseling?
The length of therapy depends on a variety of factors, including your goals, needs, treatment plan, and resources available. On average, clients are in therapy for about 6 months, though some stay for longer.
How much do sessions cost?
Session fees range by therapist: Gentry’s fee is $125, Allie’s fee is $145, and Mackenzie’s fee is $165 for a 50 minute individual session. Couples session fees range from $145-$185. When requested, longer sessions may be available and the fee will be prorated accordingly.
Are sessions covered by my insurance?
We are out of network providers and do not bill insurance. Some insurance providers will provide reimbursement for out-of-network providers & we are happy to provide a superbill that you can submit directly to your insurance carrier. Be sure to check with your insurance plan for your eligibility. 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.
What if I need to cancel?
We hold your appointment spot just for you and have a 48 hour cancellation policy. We get it - life happens and sometimes we don’t always have 48 hours notice, so we’ll 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?
Scheduling is arranged by each individual therapist, typically Monday through Friday between 9am to 9pm. Current openings and availability can be discussed in your free 15 minute consultation call.
Where do sessions take place? Do you offer video sessions?
Sessions can be virtual telehealth in the convenience of your own home, or in our therapy office located in Dublin, CA. Our office is on Dublin Blvd, conveniently located right off the 580/680 interchange to serve clients seeking therapy throughout the greater east Bay Area.
Who do you work with?
You can read more about our specialties for teens dealing with burn out, young adults with anxiety, betrayal trauma, infertility, and EMDR for trauma therapy. If you are wondering if we can support your particular goals, reach out and we’d be happy to speak more individually in a free 15 minute consultation call.
Can we do EMDR virtually?
Yes! Some people prefer to come in person to the office to do EMDR, but there are ways we can adapt EMDR to virtual or telehealth sessions. EMDR can be just as effective virtually as it is in person.
What if counseling isn't working?
Throughout counseling we regularly monitor progress towards the goals we set in our first session. If it seems like we are stuck or you aren’t progressing, we’ll talk about what may need to change in order for you to meet your goals.
Do you incorporate faith in therapy?
All of our therapists are happy to integrate your faith into therapy, 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. We are trained as marriage & family therapists, not as a pastors or spiritual directors, but we know that faith can be an important topic and strength brought into therapy. If you’ve got questions about that, check out our blog about being a Christian counselor.
How do I know when I’m done with counseling?
Finishing therapy is an exciting part of the journey and often means you’ve worked hard to make some changes and more ease in your life. We’ve got a whole blog on signs you may be done with therapy here.
Okay, I’m ready start therapy. What do I do next?
We offer a free 15 minute consultation call to get to know you and make sure we are the right people to help. We know taking the first step towards starting therapy can be nerve-wracking, so we try to make this as painless as possible. We avoid unnecessary email and phone tag, you can reach out to us directly here, then you will be prompted to schedule your consult call directly. During the consult call, you’ll share what’s going on for you and your goals for therapy, and we’ll share more about our individual styles and approaches so you know what to expect if you choose to work with Cultivate Therapy Group. It’s SO important to the success of therapy to have a good connection with your therapist, so our 15 min consult helps us get the sense if we are a good fit for one another. If you are confident about moving forward during that call, we’ll schedule your first appointment, send you intake paperwork to complete digitally, then we’ll jump in!