I’m nervous about starting therapy. Is that normal?

Yes! It’s very common to feel nervous when starting therapy, especially if you struggle with social anxiety. 

You’re not alone if opening up to or crying in front of someone new scares you. You may fear that therapy will be awkward and uncomfortable and that your therapist will judge or reject you.

Seeking help for our challenges, especially social anxiety, is a huge step. It takes courage to realize we can’t face our issues alone, particularly when the very thing we need help with is the fear of being embarrassed or humiliated!

Therapy is a space where you can be yourself and come just as you are, including feeling nervous. Our therapists are committed to ensuring sessions are as comfortable as possible. They’re passionate about helping you feel unconditionally accepted, not to mention honored for your courage.

We’re here to help you overcome your fears about starting therapy. Apply for a free 30-minute consultation — we’d love to support you!

How do I know if one of your therapists could be the right fit for me?

Please take your time reading through our website, including our Staff page. If you feel that we could help you, apply for a free 30-minute consultation.

During your call with us, you’ll be able to share about your social anxiety struggles. Once we understand your needs, we will help you choose the therapist that is right for you. Or, if you already have a therapist in mind, feel free to request them.

You can also ask us more about your therapist. You might be curious about their approach or their professional background.

We like to think of the first few times you meet with your therapist as a trial run. During your initial sessions, you and your therapist will explore how well your goals match their style and approach.  

Rest assured that if you don’t feel a particular therapist is right for you, we’re more than happy to connect you with a different clinician.  Our top priority is finding a therapist who can help you feel comfortable and appropriately challenged so that you can reach your goals.

What can I expect during the first session?

Overall, you can think of the first session as a structured conversation that helps your therapist get to know you and your challenges. 

Your therapist will invite you to share more about yourself, including your struggles, goals, and previous mental health treatments that have helped in the past (or not).

Some questions that your therapist may ask during a first session include:

• Have you gone to therapy before? How did that go?

• What goals would you like to reach by going to therapy?

• What do I need to know about you to understand your current challenges?

You can also ask your therapist questions. You might be curious about your counselor’s training or what sessions will be like.

The most important part of a first session is noticing how you feel during and after it. If you feel safe, seen, and cared for by your therapist, that’s a great sign.

What if I don't want to talk about something?

For many people, especially socially anxious individuals, it can feel scary to open up.

During sessions, your therapist will never push you to discuss things you’re not ready to discuss. It’s our job to give you the space needed to work through the painful stuff slowly. We want you to only share at a pace that feels comfortable to you.

We recommend sharing with your therapist that you’re nervous about opening up about something. They’ll also help you talk about that without pressuring you to share before you’re ready. Your therapist will welcome whatever is present for you, whatever you are going through.

I’m scared that if I open up, my therapist will think I’m too sensitive.

That makes total sense!  Most humans, let alone shy introverts, worry that they’re “too much,” so they hide their sensitivities.

Here’s the good news: Our therapists do this work because they love deeply feeling humans like you. Also, fun fact: most of our clinicians identify as highly sensitive people.

If you open up to your therapist, rest assured that they won’t think you’re too sensitive – they’ll assume you’re courageous and human. 

Through our life journeys and working with many socially anxious clients, we know how ‘normal’ your experience is. 

Whatever you're going through, we provide a calming, nonjudgmental space. Your therapist will listen deeply and compassionately and work hard to help you feel respected and safe.

Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?

We highly respect your privacy and value your trust.

You may be concerned that your friends, family, or work colleagues could learn what you have said during therapy. So, we want you to know that unless there is an imminent danger to yourself or someone else, everything you share with your therapist is entirely confidential.

You can rest assured that (assuming there aren’t any imminent safety issues) you can talk about anything without fear of that information getting out.

If you have specific questions about confidentiality, you can ask during your free 30-minute consultation.

How long will therapy take?

This is a very common question, one you might be asking because you are currently struggling and want relief fast.

If this is true for you, we want you to know that, on average, our new clients start seeing small amounts of growth after the first few sessions.

After seeing their growth and creating a clear plan for achieving their goals with their therapist, they feel a little more confident in themselves.  

The total duration of therapy varies from client to client, depending on the individual’s struggles and goals. Some of our clients find eight sessions is enough to hone their social skills and learn how to manage their social anxiety. Other clients feel more supported by longer-term therapy.

You can work with your therapist to find the length of treatment that works for you.

How frequently will I meet with my therapist?

In short, most of our clients attend every week, while a handful attend every other week.

After getting to know your goals, needs, and challenges in your first few sessions, your coach or therapist will recommend a session frequency. They will most often recommend weekly sessions, as we’ve found that cadence supports our clients in reaching their goals in a timely manner.

Some clients start with weekly sessions and then shift to bi-weekly sessions when they’ve made significant progress and reached a "maintenance" phase.  

Do you work with clients located outside of California?

Our coaching services are available to clients located across the U.S. and globally.

Our psychotherapy services are available year-round to those in the San Francisco Bay Area and across California.

We can provide a limited number of telehealth (i.e., online therapy) sessions annually to those located in Florida (15 sessions per year), Arizona (90 days per year), or Colorado (20 sessions per year).

Those outside the United States may also be eligible to receive psychotherapy, depending on their country's strictures.

If you are outside of California, please apply for a free consultation. Our Care Coordinator will help you determine your best-fit service and clarify whether your location allows you to work with our team.

What is your cancellation policy?

We require at least 48 hours’ notice when canceling or rescheduling an appointment.  If you provide less than 48 hours’ notice, you will be charged for the session regardless of the reason for the late cancellation, even if you can meet at a different time that day or week. 

How can I get started?

Here's how it works: fill out an application and request a time for a free 30-minute consultation. Our Care Coordinator will speak with you about your social anxiety challenges and help you determine whether our team is an excellent fit to help you reach your goals. If so, they’ll help you choose a therapist and schedule your first session.

Offering online and in-person services