If you are thinking about starting therapy, you probably have questions. Maybe you have been in therapy before and it did not quite work. Maybe you have never tried it and are not sure what to expect. Maybe you are wondering whether your particular experience even “counts” as something therapy can help with.
These are some of the questions I hear most often from new and prospective clients. I hope they help you feel a little more oriented as you consider reaching out.
Getting Started
Do I need a formal diagnosis to start therapy with you?
No. Whether we are talking about autism, ADHD, DID, or trauma, you do not need a formal diagnosis to begin therapy. Many of my clients are self-identified or still exploring. Diagnosis is never a prerequisite for support, and you know your experience best.
How do I know if therapy is right for me?
If you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or isolated in your experiences, therapy may help you feel less alone and more understood. You do not have to be in crisis to benefit. Sometimes it is the quieter struggles—the persistent feeling that something is off, or the exhaustion of performing your way through life—that therapy is best suited to address.
I have done years of therapy before and still feel stuck. Can this help?
Yes. Many of my clients have been in talk therapy before and are now ready to go deeper. My approach integrates somatic (body-based) work, EMDR, and relational attunement, which can reach patterns that traditional talk therapy sometimes cannot. If you have hit a wall, it may not be that therapy has failed you—it may be that the approach needed to shift.
About My Approach
What is somatic therapy? Does it involve touch?
Somatic therapy works with the connection between your body and your emotions. It is entirely non-touch. We work with body awareness through guided tracking, breathwork, and movement—all without any physical contact. If you have ever noticed that stress lives in your shoulders or that anxiety makes your chest tight, that is the kind of information somatic therapy pays attention to. No prior experience with yoga, meditation, or other body-based practices is needed.
What is EMDR and how does it work?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) helps your brain process memories that are stuck. It works on memory networks rather than storytelling—you will never be asked to share more detail about your trauma than feels safe. Many clients who feel like they have hit a wall in traditional talk therapy find that EMDR helps them access and process material at a deeper level. I integrate EMDR into ongoing therapy so the process unfolds within a trusted, ongoing relationship rather than as a standalone protocol.
Is EMDR safe for people with complex trauma or dissociation?
Yes, with the right preparation. I work gently and collaboratively, ensuring your nervous system is resourced and ready before we begin reprocessing. For clients with DID or dissociative parts, I use EMDR protocols designed specifically for dissociative clients, with an emphasis on safety, pacing, and internal consent.
Do I need to talk in detail about my trauma?
No. Some clients want to tell their story. Others do not, and that is completely fine. We can work with your trauma through the body, through EMDR, or through exploring patterns in your current life—without requiring you to narrate the details of what happened.
Identity and Inclusivity
Are you LGBTQ+ affirming?
Absolutely. I have lived experience as an LGBTQ+ person as well as extensive experience working with a wide variety of LGBTQ+ clients. This is not about checking a box. I understand the specific ways that identity-based stress, minority stress, and internalized narratives can shape someone’s emotional world. All of you—your identity, your trauma, your relationships—are welcome here.
I am still figuring out my gender or sexuality. Do I need to be “sure” before starting therapy?
Not at all. Therapy is a space to explore identity at your own pace, without pressure to label or define yourself before you are ready. We meet you wherever you are.
What if my family does not believe in therapy?
This is a common experience, especially for clients from immigrant or second-generation backgrounds. Therapy can be a private space just for you, where you do not need to justify why you are here. You can honor your cultural roots and still seek support for yourself.
Neurodivergence and Autism
I am not officially diagnosed as autistic or ADHD. Can I still work with you?
Absolutely. Many of my clients are self-diagnosed or exploring the possibility of being neurodivergent. Diagnosis is never a gatekeeper here. What matters is your experience and what you need from therapy.
Can autism and trauma therapy happen together?
Yes, and often they need to. Many autistic adults have experienced trauma from being misunderstood, unsupported, or shamed for how they naturally function. I work with clients to address both the neurodivergent experience and its emotional impact at the same time, because they are rarely separate.
I get overwhelmed easily or dissociate in sessions. Can therapy be adjusted?
Absolutely. Sessions are paced collaboratively, with room for regulation breaks, movement, or silence when needed. If you dissociate, I will help you feel grounded and come back into yourself. I will not let you leave therapy until you are feeling like yourself again. There is no rush, and your comfort is always the priority.
Practical Questions
Will therapy push me to confront my family?
Not unless you want to. Therapy is about honoring your values and capacity. We will explore what healing looks like for you, which may or may not involve your family relationships. That is always your call.
Can therapy really change how I feel in relationships?
Yes, but it is not about “fixing” your reactions overnight. Through body-based work and relational attunement, you can build new capacities for closeness, trust, and emotional regulation. Over time, patterns that once felt automatic—withdrawing, people-pleasing, shutting down—can begin to shift.
Is therapy only in English?
Sessions are offered primarily in English, but I am always interested in how language and expression show up in your experience. If you think or feel in another language, that is something we can explore together.
How long does therapy take?
It varies. Therapy is not a fixed-length program. Some clients work with me for a few months, others for years. What I can tell you is that the process unfolds within a trusted, ongoing relationship. We go at your pace, and we check in regularly about what is working and what is not.
If your question was not answered here, or if reading through this list made you realize you might want to talk, I offer a free 15-minute consultation. There is no pressure and no commitment. You can reach out here.
