What to Expect
Starting therapy can feel overwhelming. You might be wondering: What will we actually do in sessions? How long will this take? What if I don't like it?
Let me walk you through what working together looks like, so you know exactly what to expect.
Before Your First Session
Before we commit to working together, let's talk. In a 15-minute consultation call, we'll discuss:
What you're struggling with
What you're hoping therapy will help with
Whether Schema Therapy seems like a good fit
Practical details (scheduling, fees, insurance)
Any questions or concerns you have
There's no pressure—this is just an opportunity for us both to see if we might work well together.
How to schedule: Click the "Schedule Free Consultation" button on this website, or call me directly at (954)
869-8819.
Step 1: Schedule a Free Consultation
If we decide to move forward, I'll send you intake paperwork to complete before your first session. This includes:
Demographic information
Medical and mental health history
Current symptoms and concerns
Consent forms and HIPAA notice
If you're using insurance, I'll verify your benefits and let you know your expected copay or coinsurance.
Time required: About 20-30 minutes to complete paperwork.
Step 2: Paperwork & Insurance Verification
We'll find a time that works for both of us. Sessions can be:
In-person at my Plantation office
Online via secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform
Most clients start with weekly sessions, though we can discuss what frequency makes sense for you.
Step 3: Schedule Your First Session
Your First Session
What We'll Talk About
The first session is about getting to know you and your story. We'll discuss:
What brought you to therapy — What's happening in your life right now that led you here?
Your history — Childhood, family dynamics, significant relationships, past trauma
Current challenges — What you're struggling with day-to-day
Patterns you've noticed — Recurring themes in relationships, emotions, or behaviors
Your goals — What you hope will be different as a result of therapy
Questions about the process — Anything you want to know about how we'll work together
What It Will Feel Like
You might feel nervous, vulnerable, or unsure what to say. That's completely normal.
I'll create a warm, non-judgmental space where you can share as much or as little as you're comfortable with.
There's no "right way" to do a first session—just be yourself and let me know what's on your mind.
Some people cry in the first session. Others don't. Some people share everything. Others hold back until they feel safer. All of it is okay.
What Happens at the End
By the end of our first session, we'll have a clearer sense of:
The patterns we'll be working on
How Schema Therapy might help
What our work together will look like
Whether we feel like a good fit
If you want to continue, we'll schedule your next session. If you're unsure, we can talk about it—there's never pressure to commit before you're ready.
Session length: 50-60 minutes
Investment: $175 (or your insurance copay if you're using insurance)
Ongoing Therapy
Session Frequency
Most clients meet weekly, especially in the beginning. Consistency helps build momentum and allows the work to go deeper.
As you make progress, we might move to every other week, though many people prefer to maintain weekly sessions throughout the course of therapy.
We'll find the rhythm that works best for you.
What Sessions Look Like
No two sessions are exactly the same, but here's what you can generally expect:
Check-in (5-10 minutes)
We start by talking about how you've been since our last session—what's happened, what you've been thinking about, what felt difficult or better.
Deep work (30-40 minutes)
This is where we explore patterns, process emotions, and work on healing. Depending on what we're focusing on, this might include:
Talking through difficult experiences or current challenges
Identifying schemas (core patterns) and how they show up
Guided imagery to access and heal emotional wounds
Chair work to dialogue with different parts of yourself
Processing feelings that come up in the moment
Integration & planning (5-10 minutes)
We wrap up by reflecting on what came up in the session and discussing anything you want to think about or practice before we meet again.
Between Sessions
Healing doesn't only happen in our 50 minutes together. Between sessions, you might:
Notice your patterns in daily life
Practice new ways of responding
Reflect on what we discussed
Experience emotions that need processing in our next session
I typically assign "homework," or I might suggest gentle practices or reflections when it feels helpful.
How You'll Know It's Working
Therapy progress isn't always linear—some weeks feel like breakthroughs, others feel stuck or difficult. That's normal.
Signs you're making progress:
You're more aware of your patterns as they're happening
You catch yourself before reacting the way you used to
Situations that used to trigger you feel less intense
You're setting boundaries you couldn't set before
You feel more like yourself
Relationships are improving
The same old problems don't show up as often
Timeline & Expectations
How Long Will Therapy Take?
This is one of the most common questions, and the answer is: it depends.
For shorter-term work (focused anxiety, specific relationship issue): 3-6 months
For deeper pattern work (healing schemas, complex trauma, personality patterns): 1-2 years or longer
Schema Therapy isn't a quick fix. It's deep, transformational work. Think of it as addressing the foundation of a house, not just repainting the walls.
Most clients see meaningful improvements within the first few months, but lasting change takes time.
What If I Don't Feel Better Right Away?
It's normal for therapy to feel difficult before it feels better. You might cry more in the beginning, feel emotions you've been avoiding, or temporarily feel worse as you open up old wounds.
This is part of the healing process. We go through the pain to come out the other side.If at any point therapy feels unhelpful or like we're not a good fit, let's talk about it. I want this to be a space where you feel safe to give honest feedback.
What If I Want to Stop?
You're always free to end therapy. I only ask that if you're considering stopping, we have at least one session to discuss it together. Often, the urge to quit therapy comes right when we're about to break through something difficult—and talking about it can be incredibly valuable.
If we both agree therapy has run its course, I'll support you in ending well and can provide referrals if you need something different.
Confidentiality & Safety
Your Privacy Is Protected
Everything you share in therapy is confidential. I follow all HIPAA regulations and Florida state laws regarding
privacy and confidentiality.
I won't share anything about our work without your written consent—not with family, friends, employers, or anyone else.Limits to Confidentiality
There are a few situations where I'm legally required to break confidentiality:
If you're at imminent risk of harming yourself or someone else
If there's suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elderly person, or vulnerable adult
If a court orders me to release records (rare)
Outside of these legal exceptions, your privacy is absolute.
Emotional Safety
Beyond legal confidentiality, I'm committed to creating emotional safety.
This means:
No judgment, ever
Respecting your pace
Never pushing you to share before you're ready
Believing you and taking you seriously
Validating your feelings, even when they don't make logical sense
If at any point you don't feel safe with me, I want to know. That feedback is valuable and helps us work together better.
Practical Information
Session Details
Length: 50-60 minutes
Frequency: Typically weekly, adjustable based on your needs
Format: In-person or online (secure telehealth platform)
Cancellation Policy
Online Therapy
If in-person sessions aren't convenient, I offer secure video sessions through a HIPAA-compliant platform.
Many clients find online therapy just as effective as in-person, with the added convenience of attending from home.
Plantation Office
Systemic Solutions Counseling Center
1333 South University Drive, Suite 206
Plantation, FL 33324
Locations
Life happens, and sometimes you need to reschedule. I ask for at least 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Late cancellations or no-shows may be charged the full session fee (though insurance doesn't cover this).
Payment
Payment is due at the day before the service. I accept:
Insurance copays/coinsurance (for in-network plans)
Credit cards (American Express, Mastercard, Visa)
PayPal, Venmo, Zelle
Frequently Asked Questions
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Schema Therapy goes beyond symptom management to address the root causes of your patterns. While traditional CBT might help you challenge negative thoughts, Schema Therapy helps you heal the emotional wounds that created those thoughts in the first place. It combines cognitive work with deep experiential techniques that create lasting change.
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I'm in-network with Aetna, Cigna, Optum, Oscar Health, and UnitedHealthcare.
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Most people work with me for 1-2 years for deep pattern work. Some stay longer, some shorter. We'll regularly check in about your progress and discuss when it makes sense to reduce frequency or end therapy.
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If something doesn't feel right, tell me. Sometimes the discomfort is part of the process (growth is uncomfortable). Other times, we're genuinely not a good fit—and that's okay too. I'd rather know so we can address it or help you find someone better suited.
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Yes. Many clients prefer online therapy for convenience and privacy. The therapeutic relationship is just as strong, and the work is just as effective.
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You don't need to prepare or have a topic ready. Sometimes the most valuable sessions are the ones where you come in saying "I don't know what to talk about today" and we explore what's beneath that feeling. I'll help guide the conversation.
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No, I'm a licensed therapist, not a prescriber. However, I work collaboratively with psychiatrists and can provide referrals if medication might be helpful as part of your treatment.
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Crying is welcome and normal in therapy. I keep tissues nearby and create space for whatever feelings need to come up. You'll never be judged for your emotions—that's what this space is for.