What ages do you see?
I see adults, ages 18 and up.
What are your office hours & how long are appointments?
I see clients from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm on Mondays and Thursdays. Each appointment lasts approximately 50 minutes.
Are there any problems or diagnoses you don’t work with?
Yes, and this is one of the topics we will discuss in our initial phone consultation. If your primary presenting concern is ADD/ADHD, addiction, anorexia or bulimia, as well as a few other diagnoses, you would be better served by seeing a therapist who specializes in that particular area. I am happy to discuss this more when we talk.
Ultimately my goal is the same as yours: to help you feel and live better as quickly as possible. If I think you should see another therapist, I will tell you that.
I’ve never been in therapy before. I’m used to handling things on my own. How do I know if I actually need therapy?
If you are here, that probably means that you have become increasingly concerned about some aspect of your life or you have already tried to fix the problem on your own. In either case, it may make sense to give therapy a try.
People start therapy for a variety of reasons, and your reasons will be different than someone else’s reasons. We will tailor the sessions to you and your needs, both in terms of the approach we take and the total number of sessions. We will take into account your previous efforts to address the issue. We will also build on the strengths you already have, and we will work together to help you grow in the ways that are important to you.
Why shouldn’t I just take medication?
Medication can be helpful and is sometimes needed in conjunction with therapy. However, medication alone cannot solve all issues. Our work together is designed to help you to make changes and learn skills that will having a lasting benefit.
My partner and I are having problems. Should we be in individual counseling or come together?
My preference is almost always to see both of you together because I get a much better picture of the relationship if I am hearing both perspectives. However, if your partner is unwilling or unable to go to therapy, individual therapy can still help you improve the relationship. This is because when one person makes changes, the relationship system also starts to change.
Important note: If you think that both individual and couples therapy may be necessary, please let me know that so we can discuss this further.
Do you see clients online?
Yes. (In some circumstances, if an online client’s symptoms are particularly significant, I ask the person to switch to in-person sessions.)
How long will it take?
Unfortunately, there is no way for me to answer this question without knowing you and your situation. Everyone’s circumstances are unique and the length of time therapy can take varies widely. However, if your goal is to finish therapy in as few sessions as possible, we will work this into our plan and help you accomplish as much as possible between sessions.
Do I need a diagnosis to receive therapy?
No, if your symptoms don’t warrant a diagnosis, that’s just fine. A diagnosis is not required for self-pay clients. Therapy is still appropriate and helpful for people who don’t have mental health diagnosis. If you do meet criteria for a diagnosis, I will explain that to you.
Important note: If you plan to seek reimbursement from your insurance company, you should know that most insurance companies will not reimburse for services if the treatment was not medically necessary. In other words, the client must have a diagnosis that required treatment. (Please check with your insurance company for more details.) If this is a concern for you, we can talk more about it.
I want to get the most out of therapy. What can I do to help?
Great question! First, be as open and honest with your therapist as possible. In order to create an effective plan, your therapist needs an accurate picture of your life.
(Note: If you have a history of trauma, please don’t feel pressured or rushed into sharing details before you are ready. We can discuss this situation more if it applies to you.)
Second, collaborate with your therapist. Therapy is different from other forms of medical treatment in that you need to actively collaborate with your therapist in order to gain the greatest benefit. Throughout the course of therapy, please speak up about what you want from therapy, what’s working for you, and what’s not.
Third, one of the best ways to increase the rate of your progress is to work between sessions. We’ll talk about the best way to do that!
What’s the difference between talking to you or my best friend or family?
First, people often appreciate the confidentiality that therapy provides. In order to make progress on a personal issue, it is often necessary to talk about intensely private information. Therapy provides a safe place to do that. (Sharing this level of detail with a friend or family member can sometimes create awkwardness in the relationship after you’ve worked through this difficult period in your life.)
Second, part of my role is to help you approach your situation in a new way. Therapy can help you understand your symptoms and difficulties from a different perspective. Therapy can also help you learn new skills, gain insight into your difficulties, and understand yourself better.
623-910-1432
drsusan@drsusanrichardson.com
301 E. Bethany Home Road, Suite C296
Phoenix, AZ 85012