• What kind of people do you tend to work with?

Most of my clients are at a crossroads of creative choices, and have a specific problem (anxiety, depression, or a relationship conflict), or else who feel ready to face old obstacles and get support to transition to a fuller, more resilient life. I see adult individuals, couples, and families.
 

• How often would I come in?

Especially at the beginning of our work, I see people weekly. Weekly sessions allow for a momentum and continuity, so that people can begin to see change for the better in their lives quickly. Occasionally, when people are in crisis, I suggest making appointments more frequently than once a week.
 

• How many sessions would I see you?

First we determine if we both think we have a good fit for working together. After that, the number of times you come in depends entirely on your choice, although I usually recommend that once we’ve experienced a few sessions with a feeling of success, that you commit to two months of weekly sessions. This allows for trust building, and for the work to integrate into your life.

• How long does a session last?

Depends on our agreement. Usually sessions run 50 minutes. Sometimes, with couples, we decide together, in advance, whether or not to take a longer session—usually the first session is 75 minutes. Sessions longer than 50 minutes are pro-rated.
 

• What is your fee?

My fee for individual counseling is $200 for a 50 minute session, pro-rated after that. I also honor BC PPO out-of- network contracts (you can send in superbills for reimbursement) and I will be happy to consider a sliding scale according to need.. Please ask.
 

• Are you accepting new clients?

I am currently accepting new clients. I am also pleased to connect you with one of my interns, if I am not able to fit you in quickly.
 

• How do I contact you?

• How is therapy a unique relationship?

1) Therapy is first of all a confidential relationship (except for some important legal exceptions.)
2) Our work is based on your needs alone (another unique aspect!), with the utmost attention to ethics, trust and acceptance of your most vulnerable, authentic self.
3) An ethical therapist never retaliates against a client, nor ends a client-therapist relationship without offering alternative referrals.
4) The professional, ethical therapeutic relationship never involves sexual contact or behavior.

The above are aspects of a professional, ethical client-therapist relationship you can count on.

• What is Somatic Psychology?

Somatic psychology refers to the gentle but powerful healing involved in simply paying close attention to the ways the body and brain interact to create our consciousness and our psychic experience. Very often, lifelong constrictions of behavior, mood, and thoughts can be expanded simply by learning to give slow, careful attention to the messages of the body—how we sit, speak, breathe, etc.
 

• How can I tell if a therapist is a ‘good’ therapist?

The really important part of the answer is that, after determining that you are in ethical treatment, your trust and rapport with your therapist matters most of all. So don’t hesitate to ask many questions, and shop around with therapists until you find a ‘good fit’-- someone you feel safe with, and feel able to do the vulnerable work required of good therapy. You should decide together what the goals of your therapy will be, and feel safe to speak up if you become confused about your direction or progress.

• How do I know if a therapist is a good ‘fit’ for me?

 You feel safe enough to discuss with your therapist your difficult topics, like, for example, a complaint against something the therapist is doing or has done, or seems to have done. Sometimes, the most difficult topics are hard to bring up, even with an excellent therapist. Give yourself plenty of patience, and some to your therapy as well!
 

• What happens if I decide I want to stop?

Except in rare instances involving your safety, a therapist should welcome your autonomous decision to stop therapy whenever you want, for whatever reason, or for no reason at all. How long you continue is entirely personal, and depends on many factors. You should always be able to discuss this important question with your therapist.

Gary Glickman, PhD, MFT
(310) 980-4188