Question 1

Is online therapy actually as effective as meeting in person?

Accepted Answer

For anxiety, OCD, trauma and depression, research consistently finds telehealth outcomes comparable to in-office care. Many clients do better on video: you attend from your own space, there is no commute eating your evening, and it is easier to keep sessions consistent. EMDR translates well online using on-screen visual targets or self-tapping.

Question 2

Do you offer in-person sessions?

Accepted Answer

Not yet. Bloomstead Counseling is telehealth only at the moment, with an in-person office opening in approximately two to three months. If you would prefer to start virtually and move in person later, that transition will be available to current clients first.

Question 3

How long is a session, and how often will we meet?

Accepted Answer

Standard sessions run 50 minutes. EMDR processing sessions are often scheduled as 75 to 90 minute blocks so nothing is left half-open. Most people begin weekly — momentum matters early on — and taper to biweekly or monthly as things stabilize.

Question 4

What do I need for a virtual session?

Accepted Answer

A private space where you will not be overheard, a reliable internet connection, headphones, and a device with a camera. A glass of water and tissues nearby helps. If privacy at home is difficult, many clients attend from a parked car, which works perfectly well.

Question 5

How do I know if therapy is right for me right now?

Accepted Answer

You do not need a crisis to qualify. If you find yourself managing rather than living, replaying conversations, snapping at people you love, or feeling numb in a life that looks good on paper, that is enough of a reason. A free consultation costs you nothing and will tell you a lot.

Question 6

Is what I say confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sessions are confidential and conducted over a HIPAA-compliant platform. The legal exceptions are narrow and I will explain them fully at the outset: imminent risk of serious harm to yourself or someone else, suspected abuse of a child or vulnerable adult, and court orders. Nothing else leaves the room.

Question 7

What if I am not sure what I want to work on?

Accepted Answer

That is a very common starting point and not a problem. Bring the vague version — I've felt off for months, something isn't right — and we will find the shape of it together. Clarifying the question is part of the work, not a prerequisite for it.

Question 8

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Please give 24 hours notice when you need to reschedule. Late cancellations and no-shows are billed to you directly rather than to insurance, since insurers do not cover missed appointments. Genuine emergencies are always handled with common sense.

Question 9

Do you prescribe medication?

Accepted Answer

No. Therapy and medication are separate services. If medication seems worth exploring, I will help you think it through and coordinate with your prescriber or primary care provider, with your written permission.

Question 10

How long does therapy usually take?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you are carrying. Focused work on a single anxiety pattern or one traumatic memory may take a few months. Long-standing relational trauma takes longer, and that is not a failure of pace. We will review progress openly and regularly so you always know why we are still meeting.

Frequently asked

Still wondering something?