Frequently asked questions
How does online therapy work?
I use Zoom to create an online office for clients to meet with me ‘face to face’. Zoom offers a secure, HIPAA compliant platform that my clients and I have found effective and easy to use. Our sessions flow just as easily as an in-office visit, minus the awkward small talk on the way to my office. :) In the rare cases of technical difficulties, I have a few tricks to steady the session and get back to the therapeutic work. After registering and getting on my schedule, I send an email with a zoom link and a password for your session. This works for all future sessions, so you simply click on the link and follow the prompts. Then we talk. It’s that easy.
How do I get privacy if I have a session from home or work?
Find the most secluded area of your home. Earbuds are encouraged to minimize what can be overheard on my end, and sound machines can help reduce the audibility of your disclosures. Some clients have gone on walks outdoors, used a car, or reserved a private office at their place of work.
If therapy is online and we can meet from anywhere, why do you only see clients in Utah?
Because of licensure laws, there are limits to my scope of practice. I am licensed in Utah, so I practice in the state of Utah.
How do I know if I really need therapy?
That’s a great question. If you’ve tried figuring an issue out yourself, listened to podcasts, read books, taken the advice of friends and family, and you’re still feeling stuck, it’s time to try something new. Professional intervention can make all the difference. I find that new clients have erred on the side of waiting too long to start therapy, rather than erring on the side of coming in for something insignificant. Rest assured that if you don’t need therapy, I’ll be the first to point that out.
What is a marriage and family therapist?
A marriage and family therapist is a type of counselor that specializes in a specific mental health philosophy, like a social worker or a psychologist. We are graduate-level professionals who are trained to see things in terms of systems, or relationships between people, rather than as illnesses within an individual. Even my work with individuals has a larger scope because of my relationally-informed training. I find that this helps clients find greater empowerment, connectedness, awareness, and compassion in their lives.
Do I need individual or Relational therapy?
It all depends on your goals and your needs. It’s ok for you to not know where to begin, and to reach out for my professional opinion. If I see you for an intake appointment and it becomes clear that another therapeutic direction is needed, it’s part of my job to make the path clear for you.
In my experience, far more of our struggles arise from relational difficulties than they do from something that’s wrong inside us. If you find yourself feeling safer working alone or don’t have a partner who’s willing to work on the relationship with you, don’t hesitate to start the work anyway.
How do I know when I’m done with therapy?
When therapy stops feeling so necessary just to make it through the week, you know. Some people prefer to be done as soon as the crisis is over, some prefer to stay on to do preventative and deeper work, some people prefer to stay on long-term for maintenance-type work, even when they’re feeling relatively healthy. Your endpoint depends on your needs and goals. Rest assured, I don’t enjoy trying to fill an hour-long session with fluff, so I don’t hesitate to let my clients know when I think I’ve done what I can to help them on their journey. I love being fired because I’ve done my job effectively.
What are your rates?
Rates vary depending on the type and length of service, but generally speaking, I charge $140 per hourly session (i.e. individual, supervisory, or ‘a la carte’ services), and $230 for 1.5hr relational sessions (couples or families). The first appointment (intake) is a higher charge due to the extensive paperwork involved ($175-275). Group is charged as $150 on a monthly basis and you can attend as many weekly groups as you like; in fact, you’re encouraged to attend every week. Official rates are outlined very specifically in my intake forms.
Do you take my insurance?
No. I do not work as a provider with any insurance.
You are welcome to pay directly for your services and then request a superbill from me to help in the process of seeking reimbursement from your insurance. There are no guarantees they will pay and their decision will not impact your financial responsibility for my services.
Why do you only do longer appointments for couples? Why are the rates for couple therapy higher?
Because of the complexity of relational work, I find couples and families require a longer timeframe to satisfy the need for a productive session. Additionally, work with relationships is specialized and high in emotional labor, so my rates reflect the difficulty of the work and the training required to do it effectively.
How do I know if you’re the right fit for me? How do I pick a therapist?
Another great question. I’m afraid finding a good therapist is kind of like shopping for a good pair of jeans: you can do some of it online, but it does require a bit of investment of time and sometimes money, and sometimes it just comes down to trying something new on.
If you’re starting with insurance, search your network and use the listed names of participating providers to check out practice websites. Read their provider/therapist profile. Psychology Today can also be a great starting point. Ask friends, family, or your doctor’s office who they like. If you’re looking for a couple therapist, check out the ‘find a therapist’ feature at iceeft.com.
If something in someone’s profile speaks to you, reach out and schedule an intake. Don’t be afraid to set up an initial appointment with a few therapists to give yourself options. It’s important to find someone you feel really comfortable with. Meeting for the first time with a therapist isn’t a lifelong commitment, and any good professional will be supportive of you finding the best fit, whether or not that means you’re working with them.
If you’re hitting walls when you schedule because the therapist you want to work with is booked, request to be put on their waitlist, or ask the office who else they would recommend and follow up on the referral.
Is group right for me?
Probably, yes. I find it works extremely well for a wide range of people (introverts and extroverts, people with anxiety or depression or trauma or shame or relational issues or loss or most things, really), and can even accelerate healing and growth when paired with other kinds of therapy or self-help.
If you have unresolved trauma or suicidal thoughts/severe depression, you should understand that group therapy is not a substitute for one-on-one professional help. These issues can be great to work through in group therapy, as long as you are working with an individual therapist simultaneously.
Should I choose a female or a male therapist?
It depends on your needs and goals. Sometimes we’re looking for who feels safest, sometimes we’re looking for a challenge. Sometimes we need a safe challenge. Sometimes those things feel gendered, and you get to experiment to find out who is the best fit for you.
I am a female therapist who works to create a safe, gently challenging space for clients of all genders. Issues around trauma, sexuality, identity, gender, and discrimination can be especially difficult, and I have experience in helping clients navigating those areas of complexity.
You’re white, and I’m not. Are you the right therapist for me?
That’s a valid question when it comes to finding the right fit. Your sense of safety and need for understanding are prime considerations in picking a good therapist for you. I may not be for everyone, but I do my best to engage in training and self-work to ensure that I am part of the solution in bringing competent and excellent services to BIPOC communities in Utah. I am open to frank and challenging discussions on race if that is part of the work in helping you live your best life. If you need help locating therapists of color in the area, I can help with that too.
How do I schedule with you?
Please email me using the contact form on this site, or you can reach out directly to faith@evolvetherapy.online. I will get back to you within 48 business hours to let you know about my availability and next steps.
You’re booked and I can’t get in with you. What do I do?
You can inquire about my waitlist, or I can provide some great referrals for you.
I like the idea of being more environmentally minded, how do I make changes that work for me?
Great question. Start with something that feels doable, long-term. It can be small. Bring your own bags to the grocery store. Start paying attention to how much single-use plastic you’re consuming, then look for zero-waste alternatives (https://zerowastecartel.com/ or https://www.publicgoods.com/). Research recycling programs in your area, then develop more mindful habits about what you discard. Shop local bulk markets with reusable containers from home (https://www.hellobulkmarkets.com/) to move toward zero-waste lifestyle practices. Walk or cycle wherever you can. If you’re making changes around your home, consider more efficient or environmentally conscious options. Invest in green initiatives. Call your congressperson and encourage them to vote for environmentally-conscious bills. Plant things for birds and insects to feed on or live in. Explore your ecosystem. Enjoy your habitat with more presence of being. Find a place to start that feels exciting or inspiring for you, and trust that you’ll grow into the rest.
What’s with the art images used on your site?
This is original art by my spouse, Brian Kershisnik. It is copyrighted and used with permission, and I think it’s incredible work. To see or learn more, visit https://www.kershisnik.com/