1. How do I find the right therapist? When you talk with the therapist selected for you, feel free to ask questions. You may have questions about the training and experience of the therapist, or areas of special interest and expertise. You can ask friends, colleagues or family members what they found most helpful in choosing and using therapy. You are welcome to spend some time interviewing your therapist on the phone, but you may find that you can most effectively assess his/her ability to help you during a face to face session. You might think of the first several sessions as an opportunity for both you and your therapist to understand more fully what help you are looking for and how he or she can best help you. 2. How much does therapy cost? Therapy is most often paid for on a fee-for-service basis with fees and goals negotiated at the beginning of the therapy. Many insurance plans can be accommodated by our referral service. Our fees are based on a sliding scale; the range is from $80 to $150 per session. The average fees are between $80-$100. 3. How long does therapy last? This is the most difficult question to answer. Different people come to therapy with different wants and needs. Some people seek therapy for specific issues and goals. This could take just a few weeks or months and is sometimes referred to as "brief therapy." Other people also seek therapy to establish an ongoing conversation in which to deepen their understanding of themselves and improve the quality of their lives. This takes longer, from several months to many years. 4. What if my partner doesn't want to come to counseling? If your partner does not want to come in for counseling, you may find that coming in by yourself can be extremely helpful. You may learn skills in your individual sessions that help you persuade your partner to undertake couples' therapy. You may learn other ways to introduce change into your relationship or into your life. 5. Why see a Marriage and Family Therapist? Why not a psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker? All licensed psychotherapists have been trained to provide psychotherapy. Marriage and Family Therapists are licensed by the State of California specifically to assess, treat and resolve interpersonal problems and relationship difficulties. While other licensed psychotherapists may provide relationship counseling, Marriage and Family Therapists have years of both specialized training and experience in addressing relationship issues. < Home  |  Basics  |  Services  |  FAQs  |  Links Copyright 2004 Therapy S.F. All Rights Reserved. Referral service, Physchotherapists, Marriage and Family Therapists, Issues, communication and social skills, intimacy and sexuality, parenting and divorce, life transitions