Question 1

What should I expect at my first session?

Accepted Answer

Your first session is all about getting to know each other. We'll discuss what brought you in, your history, your goals, and what you're hoping to get from therapy. There's no pressure to dive into anything you're not ready for. Think of it as a conversation, not an interrogation.

Question 2

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

Insurance acceptance varies by clinician. We currently accept Aetna, Highmark, Geisinger, Optum / UnitedHealthcare, UPMC, and Medicare. We are also working to add Cigna / Evernorth. If your plan is out of network, we can provide monthly superbills for possible partial reimbursement. We'll match you with a clinician who takes your plan — contact us and we'll help you navigate the process.

Question 3

What if SteadyRise doesn't have a therapist who meets my needs?

Accepted Answer

If we aren't able to match you with a therapist within our practice, we will do our best to provide referrals to trusted colleagues who meet your needs — typically within a few days. We never want anyone to walk away without a path forward.

Question 4

How long are sessions?

Accepted Answer

The following time slots are available at SteadyRise Counseling:

55-minute Intake Session – 16–90 minutes, billed as a 55-minute service
55-minute Individual Session – 53 minutes or more
45-minute Individual Session – 38–52 minutes
30-minute Individual Session – 16–37 minutes
Couples Session – Typically 55 minutes, though your therapist may recommend longer sessions based on goals and progress.

Question 5

Do you offer virtual therapy?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We offer secure, HIPAA-compliant video sessions. Many of our clients prefer virtual therapy for its convenience, and the quality of care is the same as in-person sessions.

Question 6

What is trauma therapy?

Accepted Answer

Trauma therapy is a specialized form of therapy that helps you process and heal from distressing experiences. We use evidence-based approaches like Brainspotting, Somatic Experiencing, and trauma-focused CBT. The goal isn't to forget what happened, but to reduce its grip on your present life.

Question 7

How do I know if I need trauma therapy?

Accepted Answer

You might know — or you might not — and that's completely normal.

Sometimes traumatic experiences become so woven into our daily lives that they simply feel 'normal' to us. It's not uncommon for people to minimize, overlook, or not fully recognize the impact of what they've been through until they begin talking with someone in a safe and supportive space.

Trauma therapy isn't only for people who have experienced a single major event. Trauma can also come from ongoing experiences, relationships, stress, loss, instability, or moments where we didn't feel safe, supported, or seen.

If you find yourself feeling stuck, overwhelmed, emotionally reactive, disconnected, anxious, constantly on edge, or carrying experiences that still seem to affect you, trauma-informed therapy may be helpful. You do not have to 'prove' your experiences were traumatic enough to deserve support.

Question 8

How long does therapy take?

Accepted Answer

Great question! The honest answer is: it depends.

Every person enters therapy with different experiences, goals, needs, and levels of support. Some people come to therapy looking for short-term support around a specific issue or life transition, while others choose longer-term therapy focused on deeper healing, self-understanding, or long-standing patterns.

Therapy is not about rushing the process or reaching a finish line as quickly as possible. Healing and growth happen at different paces for different people.

Our goal is to create a collaborative process that feels supportive, meaningful, and tailored to your needs — whether that means a few months of focused work or a longer-term therapeutic relationship.

Question 9

What's the difference between in-person, virtual, and hybrid?

Accepted Answer

In-person sessions take place at our office. Virtual sessions happen over secure video. Hybrid means you can mix both — some weeks in person, some weeks virtual — based on what works best for your life. All formats receive the same quality of care.

Question 10

Is what I share in therapy confidential?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Everything you share is confidential, with very few legal exceptions (such as imminent danger to yourself or others). We'll discuss confidentiality in detail during your first session so you know exactly what to expect.

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