It’s common to have questions when you start online therapy! Below are answers to common questions we get during our free 15 minute consultations as well as things I wish people would ask when coming into therapy!

1. How long does therapy take?

Some treatments, such as CBT, have a specific number of sessions. In my experience as a therapist, I don’t think you can prescribe a number of sessions for many reasons. Each individual is different and has different life circumstances. Also, during therapy, new situations/stressors can arise that can result in an increase in sessions. A lot of people experience more than one diagnosis including depression, anxiety and trauma, etc and therefore treatment might be longer. I would anticipate being in treatment for a minimum of 3-6 months. If you are in treatment longer than this, it does not mean you are a failure or “bad at therapy.” I work with developmental trauma, so most of my patients benefit from therapy for at least a year. 

2. What is somatic therapy? 

Somatic therapy is an umbrella term to describe therapies that incorporate the body into treatment. Cognitive treatments typically only incorporate thoughts, feelings and behaviors into therapy. Somatic therapy focuses on releasing stored stress and trauma in the nervous system. Somatic therapy does not necessarily involve the therapist touching the patient. Somatic therapy can be done in person or online. Somatic therapy can help with trauma, depression, anxiety, stress, chronic pain, grief, addiction and other concerns. 

3. What is Somatic Experiencing? 

Somatic Experiencing is a type of Somatic therapy that was developed by Peter Levine. Somatic Experiencing treats Post Traumatic Stress Sisorder and other trauma responses. Trauma and stress are stored in our bodies. Through Somatic Experiencing, we slowly learn to release this energy so we do not continue to live out the same traumatic patterns in our lives. 

4. How much does online therapy in Detroit, Michigan cost?

Each agency sets a different price for their services. You can directly ask before your first session what you will owe. If you are using your insurance to pay for services, it does not mean it is free. You will need to contact your insurance company and ask if you have to meet your deductible, if you have a copay or coinsurance. 

5. Is online counseling effective? 

Since Covid 19, many therapists have been providing online therapy. In my experience with online therapy for the past 20 months, I have found it to be equally effective to in person therapy. There are also multiple research studies showing the effectiveness of online therapy. There are many benefits to online therapy and patients have reported it to be more accessible. Online therapy is a preference, though. For some individuals, they prefer to see a therapist in person. This does not mean it is not effective if done online. 

Are you ready to start online therapy in Detroit, Michigan? 

Embodied Wellness, PLLC is here to help! Visit our website at www.embodiedwellnesstherapy.com for a free 15 minute phone consultation. Specialities include online therapy in Michigan, somatic therapy, EMDR, DBT, Somatic Experiencing, OCD therapy and ERP treatment.