Frequently asked questions
Do I need therapy? Is therapy for me?
People seek therapy for many different reasons. They may feel traumatized, stressed, anxious, depressed, angry, overwhelmed. They may isolate, act out in anger, or avoid difficult topics. They may have negative thoughts about themselves, other people, and the world. They may be bothered by past events or trauma. They may have been diagnosed with a mental health condition. Negative emotions and thoughts are powerful indicators that something needs to change. If any of this sounds familiar, therapy can help you overcome these challenges and feel better.
What can I expect when I first contact Focal Point?
Once we receive your message, you can expect outreach from us within 72 hours. We will have a brief discussion about your needs and our services to help you decide whether to make an initial appointment. There are many different approaches to therapy, so we want you to be informed so that you can make the best decisions for your well-being. If you decide to move forward, we will discuss scheduling options and you will receive access to our HIPAA-compliant portal (Simple Practice) to complete paperwork ahead of your first session. You will also receive a link to your first videoconferencing session.
What can I expect at my first session?
At your first session, we want to learn about what brings you to therapy, and we want you to know more about our services and approach. We will also discuss your goals for therapy - what meaningful changes do you want to see in your life that therapy will help you achieve. It is vital that you understand your options and can truly determine whether these options and the therapist are a good fit to achieve your treatment goals. This and all other sessions will take place via videoconferencing.
What can I expect after my first session?
After your first session, we will begin to work on your treatment plan. There may be a need for further assessment to fully understand your presenting concerns and refine your treatment plan so that we address the most important issues for you. We then begin evidence-based psychotherapy - psychotherapy that has been shown to be effective for the problems you are trying to resolve.
How long will I be in therapy?
This depends on a number of factors. Typically, the therapies we do are time-limited and focused - designed to address the most pressing issues relatively quickly. The therapies we do typically range from 8-15 sessions. These can be done weekly or a few times per week. This allows you to make significant progress during the course of therapy and continue to practice your skills to continue treatment gains once therapy ends. Our therapies emphasizes a time-limited approach so that you do not need therapy for a long time. You can make changes, get unstuck, and move forward.
What is the difference between therapy and life coaching?
Coaching can be a valuable resource for learning life skills and enhancing performance. For individuals who want or need to dive deeper than that or need mental health treatment, therapy is the best choice. Therapy can help people heal, understand the connection between past and present experiences, process emotions, and integrate skills at a deeper level. For some, coaching may be enough. For others, there may be deeper issues involved that need the help of a trained therapist.
How does therapy work?
Generally, therapy works through a combination of the specific intervention, more general therapeutic factors, and the relationship between the therapist and client. The specific interventions used at Focal Point are selected because there is an evidence-based for their effectiveness with the problem at hand. These interventions target the connection between feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, identify unhealthy patterns in these areas that are keeping a person stuck, and help people learn healthy approaches that bring relief, growth, and positive change. Throughout therapy, we monitor progress by using measurement-based care and make adjustments to the treatment plan, as needed, for maximum benefit.
How much does it cost?
Cost depends on a few factors. We are in network for some insurance companies if you prefer to use insurance. To use insurance for which we are out of network, we are happy to provide a superbill that can be submitted to insurance companies for reimbursement. For clients without insurance or who have a preference to keep their mental health needs private, self-pay is available. We highly recommend that you check specific information regarding insurance coverage for in- and out-of-network with your insurance carrier. Our rates are competitive for services provided by a doctoral-level psychologist with over 20 years experience in the field.
Is telehealth really as good as in-person therapy?
Yes, it is as good as in-person therapy! In some cases, it is better. We know this through decades of research on telehealth across different mental health services, diagnoses, and client populations. We have more than 13 years of experience in telehealth and integrating technology solutions into mental health care. Of course, if telehealth is not a good fit for you, we are happy to recommend therapists who offer in-person services.
What geographic areas do you serve?
We see clients in Illinois as well as all 43 PSYPACT states via telehealth. Click the button below to see if you are in a PSYPACT state.
How can I get started?
You can reach us by phone or completing our contact form. We look forward to working with you!
Growth
Empowering change through evidence-based psychotherapy and support.
© 2025. All rights reserved.
