FAQ
Getting Started
How do I make an appointment? Making an appointment is simple. Reach out by phone at (908) 232-4044 or by email, and we’ll have a brief conversation to see if we’re a good match. From there, we’ll schedule your first session and get you moving toward your goals.
What is your location? 134 South Euclid Avenue, Westfield, NJ 07090. My office is on the second floor of the Westfield Cardiology Building.
Is there parking near your office? Some off-street parking is available behind the building, depending on the time of day. Street parking is also available if the lot is full.
What forms of payment do you accept? Cash, checks, and credit cards are all accepted.
What to Expect
How long is a session? Your first session is typically about an hour, since we’re getting to know each other. After that, sessions run 45 to 50 minutes.
What happens in the first session? We’ll start with the basics, consent forms and privacy policy, and then spend the rest of our time getting a well-rounded picture of your background: family information, medical history, and any previous experience with therapy. There’s nothing to study for, you already know all the answers.
What if I don’t know what to say? This makes complete sense, and it happens to most people in therapy at some point. It’s actually a common reason people talk themselves out of starting or continuing therapy, feeling like they don’t have “enough” to talk about. Remember, you’re not alone in the room, and I can help. People are often surprised by the progress they make even when they didn’t feel like they had much to say going in.
What if I cry? If you cry in my office, you’ll be in the company of many people who’ve gone on to make some pretty awesome changes. It’s not necessarily a sign of anything other than how you feel about what you’re saying, and people cry in therapy all the time.
About Working With Me
How long have you been a therapist? I’ve been working with people in my Westfield office since 2004.
Who do you work with? I work with adult women and men, and couples, who are looking to close the gap between the life they’re currently living and the life they imagine for themselves.
Do you prescribe medication? No, I’m not able to prescribe medication. Some clients I work with are prescribed medication by their primary care provider or a psychiatrist, but that’s outside what I do.
I don’t want to go on medication. Are you going to make me? Definitely not. It’s not my place to “make” anyone do anything. If you’re on the fence about medication and think it might help, I may encourage you to talk with a prescribing physician, but the decision is always yours.
Bigger Questions
There are things in my life therapy can’t change, so what’s the point? Solid point, and you’re right. Therapy can’t decrease the number of kids you have, add an extra hour to your day, or make your mother-in-law more tolerable. What therapy can do is help you learn to manage the load differently. As the saying goes, “it’s not the load we carry, but how we carry it that drags us down.” Therapy helps you rearrange the load.
Just for Fun
Do I have to lie down on a couch for therapy? If you really want to, sure, and it’s not uncomfortable. But most people just have a seat. Some prefer the chair.
Is your couch actually comfortable? Funny you should ask. When I first started in private practice, I sublet office space furnished with wicker patio furniture, complete with pitifully thin cushions. If you happen to have a living room full of wicker yourself, no offense intended, maybe just scroll back up to the payment section before you take this personally.
Every time someone, big or small, sat down or stood up, that furniture creaked in agony. The clients I worked with back then were kind enough not to complain, but it was honestly painful to watch. I promised myself that once I had the choice, I’d have a proper couch. Cushions. Comfort. The whole deal.
So yes, I can confirm: my couch is comfortable.
Still have a question that’s not answered here? Contact me directly, I’m happy to help.
