Frequently Asked Questions
Jessica Floresta, LSCW, MEd, CST
You Deserve to Feel Great. We’re Here to Help.
We often have questions before beginning a the process of therapy. It is an investment of time and money, and often we ask ourselves (and others) if it is worth it. The answer is simple: it depends. Change doesn’t “just happen;” change comes from you. Therapy is worth it if you are willing to put in the work and you are looking for that change in your life. Below are some questions that people frequently ask before beginning therapy.
Our Approach & Philosophy
Each of the therapists at Moorestown Therapy Collective was selected because of their expertise, their variety of specialties, their therapeutic approach, and their strengths-focused philosophies. We are all unique and offer different strengths to the Collective; however, we are all committed to social justice and supporting disenfranchised communities. Take a moment to review our therapist bio pages to get a feel if one of our therapists feels right for you.
How long does therapy take?
Therapy can be a short-term or long-term process. Some folks come in with concerns that can be addressed within 8-12 sessions. This can be useful if you are managing a crisis or trying to resolve a specific issue. This modality would be “Solution-Focused Brief Treatment.” Therapy can also start to uncover more deep-rooted and complicated emotional issues. It is much more likely that someone coming into therapy is looking to explore and heal emotional wounds and stop repeating harmful patterns in their lives. This process can take longer. Your therapist will work with you to decide the course of therapy, but the amount of time you spend in therapy is ultimately up to you.
How often do I come to therapy?
This will depend on your level of need. Generally we recommend beginning therapy on a weekly basis. This amount of time is generally a good balance of space to process alone and a space to explore together with your therapist. When you start to meet your goals, it is normal to decrease the frequency of sessions to every other week or even monthly when you are getting close to termination. This is just the recommendation from which we begin. Therapy can happen more or less often. If you want to change the frequency of your sessions, your therapist will provide you with their suggestion based on your individual needs, but like all other parts of therapy, the final determination belongs to you.
How long is each session?
Therapy sessions generally last 50 minutes. This amount of time is considered the industry standard. Our therapists may determine that someone needs more time for a session if there is a therapeutic reason, but please allow them to make this determination. It is important that we, as therapists, have time for self care and a moment to refresh between sessions so that we can be fully present and punctual for each of our clients.
Do I have to do in-person or virtual sessions?
We are in an unprecedented time right now. Currently we are offering a majority of our sessions via a virtual platform. If there is a specific need where you require to be seen in-person, you can discuss this need with your therapist to see if they will be able to accommodate you. Unfortunately, in-person sessions are not guaranteed at the moment due to the fluctuating restrictions on in-person activities. Your therapist will work with you to problem-solve any privacy or internet issues you may encounter.
How much does therapy cost?
Each therapist offers a different price per session, starting at $110 per session. Some may also offer sliding scale prices, based on availability. Feel free to reach out to individual therapists determine availability.
Do you take my insurance?
Every therapist in our office accepts a different set of insurances, and in some cases none at all. In most cases, they are able to provide you paperwork to satisfy out-of-network reimbursements to your insurance. If you have doubts or specific questions after reviewing their bios, please feel free to reach out to ask.
Is there a benefit to paying out of pocket?
Paying out of pocket has several benefits. We recognize that this is not feasible for everyone, and for that reason some of our therapists do accept insurance, and if that’s you, skip to the next question. However, if paying out of pocket is a possibility, here are some benefits:
First and foremost, if you are able to pay out of pocket, you have more flexibility to find the therapist that is right for you, despite their in-network status with any insurance company. A good fit with your therapist can improve outcomes in therapy which decreases your overall treatment time and can lead to a lower cost of treatment long-term.
Secondly, and very importantly, your information will never be shared with anyone (within the mandated reporting guidelines). Insurance requires a diagnosis for reimbursement, regardless of why you are receiving therapy. This becomes a part of your permanent insurance record. We take great efforts to keep your information as private as possible, but it is possible for the insurance company to request some treatment information for reimbursement. For most people this is not a problem or a concern, but if you are concerned about this information being shared, please ask your therapist what that means for you.
Another consideration is that some insurance policies may have a limit to how many sessions they will cover. It is wise to check with your insurance beforehand to see if this is the case.
If you change insurance, your therapist may not accept your new policy.
What happens if I am not comfortable with my therapist?
Research shows that a good relationship with your therapist is essential to getting the most out of therapy. It is important that if you feel uncomfortable that you speak up to find the source of the discomfort. Therapy can be an uncomfortable process; we are forcing growth and working through painful moments in your life. Your therapist can help you discern whether the discomfort is part of the process (sometimes this relationship can mirror other difficult relationships from your past) or if your therapist is not a good fit for you. If this is the case, your therapist is trained to be able to handle these uncomfortable conversations. You do not need to feel worried or shy about stating your concerns or your needs. Therapy is one of the places that we get to practice stating our needs without fear of retribution or negative consequences.
Additional resources
Here are some additional resources that are helpful when considering therapy:
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Address
101 E Main St, Ste 203, Moorestown, NJ 08057
401 S 2nd St, Ste 401, Philadelphia PA 19147
Hours
By Appointment Only