FAQ’s:   Who Needs Therapy? How Long Will Therapy Take? Many people erroneously believe that therapy is only for people who "have serious problems." While it is true that psychotherapy is very helpful in treating a wide variety of serious issues such as clinical depression, anxiety and phobias, and addictions, it also benefits people who need or want support and guidance working through a personal problem, improving a troubled relationship, or even making an important decision such as a career change. It can help people who are considering making any life change, personal or professional. It can even be helpful if you are in little or no distress at all. How? Because psychotherapy is one of the best tools for personal growth, which simply means, becoming the person you want to be, by overcoming the obstacles that get in the way. Almost anyone, if they are willing, can and will benefit from psychotherapy. There is no set time frame for therapy. The time frame often depends on what the goal or goals of therapy are determined to be, and how far a person wants to take their therapy. Determining this is a collaborative process. Some people accomplish what they set out to in a matter of weeks. More often, people realize that the support and guidance they are getting, as well as the positive changes they see in their lives, make therapy well worth continuing. How Much Does Therapy Cost and What am I Paying for? How Do I Know if You Can Help Me? The cost of therapy varies according to whether or not you are using insurance as well as other factors. Dr. Gordon will thoroughly discuss her fee policy with you before you meet. If she cannot take your insurance she may be able to offer you a discounted fee, work with your insurance as an out-of-network provider, or make other arrangements, including referring you to a trusted colleague. Payments are accepted by cash, check , or by using the PayPal/credit card option on this website (see Services page). The cost of therapy includes many things. First and foremost you are paying for the time and skill of your therapist, who has many years of education, training, and experience. The cost of therapy also includes the time your therapist spends on administrative tasks, as well as reading and responding to e-mail messages and time spent on the telephone. In addition, your therapist spends time consulting with your other health care providers to coordinate care (your primary care doctor or psychiatrist, for example), and may also seek supervision/consultation from colleagues to improve the quality of care. So, you are paying for much more than the 50-minute therapy hour. Before setting an appointment Dr. Gordon will talk with you by telephone. Often this alone can determine whether working together will be a "good fit." After the initial evaluation, which normally takes one or at the most two visits, Dr. Gordon will give you a summary of her treatment recommendations which will include whether she thinks she is the best person to help you. While there can be no guarantee, more often than not clients gain something from therapy, even when the course of therapy is brief. In cases where it appears that you could benefit more from working with a different therapist (for example one with a particular specialty), Dr. Gordon will provide you with at least one referral.