Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy
What is a Psychoanalytic Therapist?
A psychoanalytic therapist is someone who helps you look beyond surface-level symptoms and patterns to understand what’s driving them underneath.
Rather than giving you tools to “fix” behaviors, I work with you to uncover the deeper meaning behind your thoughts, feelings, and reactions.
My role isn’t to analyze you, but to guide you in analyzing yourself so you can develop lasting self-understanding and create meaningful change in your life.
What is Talk Therapy?
“Talk therapy” is a general term that refers to any type of therapy where you work through challenges by speaking with a mental health professional. It’s different from approaches like medication or medical treatments because the focus is on conversation, reflection, and insight.
Psychoanalysis falls under the umbrella of talk therapy, but it goes further than simply talking about problems. In our sessions, we don’t just look at what’s happening on the surface. Instead, we explore the deeper patterns and unconscious influences that shape your thoughts, feelings, and relationships. I help you to develop a better understanding of yourself, allowing you to work through the difficulties that arise in life with confidence.
So while all psychoanalysis is talk therapy, not all talk therapy is psychoanalysis. The key difference is that psychoanalysis is less about advice or quick solutions, and more about creating a space where you can better understand yourself and uncover the why behind your experiences.
Who Do You Work With?
I work with all people regardless of marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or neurodivergence.
I approach everyone as an individual who has their own unique life experiences that shape and inform who they are today, without judgment.
I understand and respect that some individuals who identify as belonging to certain communities, such as LGBTQ+ or neurodivergent, would prefer to find and work with a therapist who also identifies with their community. While I do not share which, if any, community I might identify with, I welcome all members of my broader community; the human race.
I look forward to having an opportunity to speak with you and to discuss what you might be seeking.
How Do I Choose the Right Therapist?
Choosing the right therapist is about two main things:
#1. How you feel around the person who may become your therapist. Finding someone you feel safe and comfortable with is the most important part of choosing a therapist.
Watch my video about choosing a therapist
#2. Understanding what type of therapy you are looking for and what your personal goals for therapy are.
Give me a call to discuss what type of therapy you may be looking for and if my psychoanalytic approach is right for you and your goals. I am always happy to talk and provide more information.
Do You Offer Virtual Therapy?
Yes. I offer virtual therapy across New Jersey & New York through a secure, HIPPA-compliant platform to protect your privacy.
Can Therapy Help With Anxiety?
Yes. Anxiety is most often more than just worry; it can signal deeper conflicts, fears, or patterns that haven’t yet been fully understood.
In psychoanalytic therapy we don’t just work to calm the symptoms, we look at where the anxiety comes from and what it might mean in your life. By exploring its roots, you can begin to feel more grounded, less controlled by anxious thoughts, and more in touch with yourself.
How Do You Approach Couples Therapy & Marriage Counseling?
My approach with couples is to foster vulnerability and help partners hold space for each other.
Oftentimes, there is built up resentment or unmet needs that have not had a safe space to be voiced and heard.
My goal is to create that safe space and encourage couples to be vulnerable with each other in a way that leads to a deeper understanding of your partner and yourself.
How Often Should I See You?
I offer once or twice per week sessions for individuals to ensure we can keep the momentum going with what we are working on.
Since my practice focuses on diving deep into underlying patterns, it is important that we can quickly address what has been happening in your life and start uncovering how it is affecting you and why these patterns are appearing.
For couples therapy, I also offer a discounted rate for couples who want to do a couples therapy session, as well as individual sessions. This is for couples who want to work on relationship troubles or personal patterns in private, while also working on the relationship as a team.
How Does Psychoanalysis Work?
Psychoanalysis is about curiosity and exploration. In our sessions, we’ll look at the recurring patterns in your life – in relationships, work, and emotions – and ask where they come from.
Often, these patterns are shaped by earlier experiences or inner conflicts you may not even be aware of. By bringing them to the surface, you can begin to understand yourself more fully, make sense of your struggles, and feel more grounded in who you are. Unlike quick-fix approaches, psychoanalysis takes time and depth, but the insights you gain often lead to lasting transformation.
How is Psychoanalysis Different from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured approach that focuses on identifying negative thoughts and replacing them with healthier ones, often teaching tools to manage specific behaviors or symptoms. It can be effective for short-term relief and skill-building.
Psychoanalysis, on the other hand, goes deeper. Instead of asking “How can I change this thought?” we ask “Why do I keep having this thought in the first place?” We are then able to uncover underlying patterns, emotions, and reactions that are driving your daily experiences.
The best way I can explain the difference is with a simple medical metaphor:
If you have a headache and fever caused by an infection, you could either take aspirin to manage the symptoms and get quick relief, or you could take an antibiotic that heals the root cause of those symptoms – the infection.
Yes, the antibiotic may take longer for you to feel like it is working, but the relief is long-lasting.
What Types of Conditions Do You Help With?
I work with any condition you are afflicted with, whether or not you have been formally diagnosed.
- ADD/ADHD
- Addiction
- Anger Issues
- Anxiety
- Bipolar Disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Dissociative Identity Disorder
- Depression
- OCD
- Psychosis
- …and all other human conditions
Can Therapy Help With Anger Issues?
Yes. Anger is usually not just about the situation in front of you, it can often reflect deeper feelings of hurt, frustration, or fear that haven’t had space to be acknowledged.
In therapy, we explore the patterns and experiences that trigger your anger so you can understand where it comes from. This deeper understanding makes it possible to respond with more clarity and , rather than feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of the reaction.
How Do You Approach Parental Counseling?
My approach to parental counseling starts with the parent. I focus less on giving you strategies to manage yourself or your child, and more on understanding why parenting may be feeling overwhelming or frustrating or why you may not feel connected with your child.
How Long Does Therapy Usually Last?
As long as you want it to. There is no base timeline for healing. Each journey is unique and everyone’s goals are different.
Some clients work with me to address specific issues that they’ve noticed and only stay for a few months to a year.
Others come see me to understand themselves better as a whole; to unpack all of their patterns and life experiences and discuss recurring themes as they come up. These clients stay with me for a year or more.
Many clients have been with me for 5+ years because there is no shortage of experiences to be curious about or patterns that pop up throughout everyone’s life.
Staying in therapy for months or years does not mean you aren’t making progress or that you haven’t “fixed” yourself, because let me be clear… there is nothing to fix. There may be patterns you would like to change, but that change comes from a deeper understanding and curiosity that takes time to cultivate.
Do You Accept Insurance?
I do not accept insurance, however if you have out-of-network reimbursements with your insurance, I can provide you with a paid receipt to submit to your insurance company with all the codes required for a reimbursement.
I am happy to answer any other questions you may have, simply submit your question and preferred contact method below.
How to Choose the Right Therapist For You
The Psychoanalytic Approach & Dealing With Anxiety
I look forward to speaking with you!
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