Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Therapy

How much do you charge per session?

My regular fee is $190 per 50 minute session.

Therapy can be an investment of time and money and this investment is for yourself and your well-being. By taking the steps to start therapy you are really telling yourself “I matter” and “my mental health matters.” It is a brave and loving action to invest your time and money into your own happiness.

The money that I receive is much appreciated and goes into paying my office rent and living expenses. I value every dollar I receive.  Not only are you investing in yourself, you are investing in my practice, and I appreciate that.

Do you offer a sliding scale?

It depends on the financial situation. I want therapy to be accessible to people who have different income levels or are students. If you have a special financial issue I am happy to discuss it and see if we can agree on a fee.

How will therapy help me?

While everyone has their own unique experience in therapy, my approach focuses on helping you be more mindful of your issue, clarifying the direction you want your life to go, and providing a safe, compassionate environment for you to be heard and validated. When we can be truly present with ourselves and the pain we are going through, we begin to heal. I can help you look closely and compassionately into what is going on in your life and in your inner world. But we won’t just focus on your problems. I believe it is important to become clear on what you want your life to be about. What kind of life do you want to live? I can help you clarify what is important to you and help you take steps toward living the way you want to. Additionally, I will give you a supportive space to be heard, understood, and free to be yourself just as you are. I am not here to try to change you or fix you. Rather, I can show you your inner strength and your inner healer that already exists within you.

How long will it take to get better?

There is no quick fix to psychological problems.  Each person has their own healing process and I cannot guarantee a specific result in a set time.  However, with time and commitment, things can get better. The process is similar to exercising at the gym. If you go to the gym once, it probably will not make much of a difference in your strength. But if you go to the gym consistently over a long period of time, you build up muscle and strength and can function physically in new ways. Therapy works in a similar way. With time, consistency, and applying what you learn in sessions to your life, things can get better.  In essence, the more motivated and committed you are to improving your mental health, the more likely therapy will be of benefit to you.

Are you the right therapist for me?

I believe that finding a good match between therapist and client is important to a successful therapy process. I invite you to explore my website and read my blog to learn more about me and my approach to therapy. If it resonates with you, it would be an honor to connect with you and see if it is a good match. If it does not seem like a good match, I can offer referrals to other therapists that may be a better fit.

Do you take my insurance?

I do not directly bill insurance companies.  This is for several reasons:

  • Insurance can control how many sessions you get
  • Insurance can control how long the sessions are
  • It requires I assign you a mental health disorder that goes on your medical record.  Not everyone wants this on their record.
  • It can take weeks or months to verify insurance and thus delay the start of therapy

I believe that therapy works best when there is not a third party dictating the process.  However, some insurance plans offer out of network benefits and I am happy to provide statements for our sessions.  Some plans reimburse some or all of the cost.  Check with your plan to find out.

What is your theoretical orientation?

I have training in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and psychodynamic therapy and draw from these approaches in my work. Most prominently, I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness in my work with clients. I help people become more mindful of their thoughts, emotions, body, and actions and live a life that is based on values that are deeply important and meaningful.  Some of my other interests include Buddhist psychology, spirituality, and Enneagram personality typing.

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Call me at 510-473-5083 or email drellisedmunds@gmail.com to ask any questions and schedule an initial appointment.  It would be an honor to connect with you.