Q: What should I expect during my first therapy session?


A: Your therapist asks you about current concerns and any relevant history. They also discuss their approach to therapy and what you can expect in future sessions. This is a great opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about the therapy process.

Q: How long are therapy sessions?

A: Our therapy sessions are 50 minutes long. However, for urgent issues, they can last longer depending on your needs and the therapist's availability. Additional charges may occur if you request additional time.

Q: How often should I attend therapy?

A: The frequency of therapy sessions varies depending on your needs and goals. Most clients benefit from weekly sessions, while those who have done prior therapy work may only need bi-weekly or monthly appointments. Your therapist works with you to determine the best schedule for your treatment goals.

Q: How long should I come to therapy?

This is based on your treatment goals, which you establish with your provider in the first session or two. Some people come to learn specific communication techniques, which may take only one or two sessions. Most people come due to past trauma that begins to cause noticeable problems in their lives. IA offers many options for evidence-based treatment for trauma resolution; many of which require 12 weeks of structured sessions.

People with chronic mood disorders may need less frequent, but longer-term support to learn to handle severe depression or anxiety symptoms which are physiologically rather than psychologically based and harder to resolve until medication management and psychotherapy are combined. Discuss your goals with your provider in the assessment session and they will assist in creating objective outcome criteria so you can know when you attain these.  This also gives the provider a better ability to estimate the time your treatment may require and at what frequency. Whatever you do, try not to quit as soon as you experience a little relief from symptoms. Couples often do so and then someone steps on an unresolved issue, which is devastating to the relationship after hopes have risen.

Q: Is therapy confidential?

A: Yes, therapy is confidential. Your therapist will not share any information about your sessions with anyone without your consent, unless required by law (such as in cases of harm to yourself or others).

However, we do use a ‘team’ treatment approach at IA. In signing your ‘Consent to Treatment’, you give permission for consultation between providers at IA. What this means is that your therapist has the ability to tap into the cumulative expertise of any or all of the providers at our agency to assist in your treatment. This is a distinct advantage to clients as compared to seeing a single private practice provider. Many of our counselors have more than 30 years of experience. This well of knowledge is put to work for each of our clients, either in one-on-one consultation and/or in weekly Clinical Meetings of all clinicians. All cases are presented anonymously, even within our team. Only age, gender, ethnicity and ‘presenting issues’ (the reason you came to counseling) are divulged for context, to allow appropriate input of other professionals.

Q: How can I pay for therapy sessions?

A: We accept various payment methods, including cash, check, credit/debit cards, Medicare, Medicaid, Crime Victims Compensation, health insurance, and some Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). Please check with your insurance provider to see if therapy is covered under your plan.

Some services are offered free to victims of crime, including child or elder abuse that was never reported. These services are paid for by a grant.

We also offer reduced rates on a sliding-scale based on client eligibility.