Working with Caitlin & Era

Here’s what to expect from the process — how we get started, what the work looks like, and how secure teletherapy makes it possible to meet wherever you are across Massachusetts, New York, Maryland, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

How therapy works

Getting started

Before we begin, there’s a chance to get to know each other — for me to learn about why it is you’re seeking therapy, and for you to ask any questions you might have. Part of effective therapy is finding the right fit. Research shows us that regardless of the kind of therapy being done, the biggest predictor of progress in therapy is the strength of the therapeutic relationship — if the fit is right, the work can flow. This is one of the foundational elements of how I work.

Who is a good fit?

Clients who struggle with any of the following might be a good fit:

• perinatal mood and anxiety disorders
• anxiety
• pregnancy, postpartum
• family or partner relationship challenges
• chronic insomnia
• life transitions
• work stress
• sense of self
• identity

How do you know if you’re ready for therapy?

Therapy is an investment of energy and time. It can be hard to look at the things in your life that you’re struggling with, and it requires motivation and willingness to do so. We aren’t always in a place to do this work, so how do we know when we are?

• When you feel like you’ve tried things on your own and still aren’t seeing the improvement that you’re looking for
• When you find that you’re itching to finally make some changes but don’t know how or where to start
• When you are struggling with not feeling like yourself and want to feel better
• When you are going through big life transitions and not handling them quite as well as you expected to
• When you are noticing patterns in your relationships that have not gotten you the kind of connections that you want and you’re curious about how to go about things differently
• When you’ve tried it all and are open to trying anything
• When your friends or family are telling you that they feel out of their depth supporting you

Getting to work

We always start out with an intake assessment that usually lasts 2–3 sessions. During this time I ask you a lot of questions to get a big picture of your life and what has been going on for you recently that led you to therapy. This is a chance for you to see if I am a good fit for you and for me to see if you are a good fit for my practice, meaning that I have the training and expertise necessary to provide you with good treatment. From there, we set goals together that will serve as our roadmap for our work, and then we dive into the work, meeting usually weekly or sometimes every other week.

Scheduling

I meet with most clients weekly, preferably at the same time each week. We can decide to meet more or less frequently as we go, depending on the therapy goals. We review scheduling and any policies together in our first session.

Teletherapy

Therapy for clients in Massachusetts, New York, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Connecticut via a convenient and secure video calling platform.

How does it work?

In most ways teletherapy is just like in-person therapy. There are three big differences though that are important to consider. First, we are not in the same room with each other, so that means that it’s up to you to find a quiet, private space since I can’t provide that for you. Second, sometimes we run into technical difficulties. It’s a pain and inevitable, but my clients and I always find a way to work through any troubles we come across, even if it means finding another time to meet. Lastly, not all issues are appropriate for teletherapy and some clients are best treated in person. If any of these are a concern for you, teletherapy might not be a good fit.

Can I meet with you from wherever I want?

Unfortunately, no. Due to licensing restrictions and liability insurance, I can only meet with you when you are physically in a state where I am licensed. If you will be out of state for some reason, we will reschedule our session to when you are back home. As long as you are in MA, NY, MD, RI, and CT, you can meet with me from whichever quiet, private, undisturbed location you would like.

What software do you use?

I use HIPAA compliant video software through an electronic health records system called SimplePractice to meet with clients. SimplePractice will send you an email prior to our sessions with a unique link to use to enter each of our sessions. SimplePractice is also where I keep all of my documentation and notes for my clients. Before we meet I send you all of the required paperwork through an invite to the client portal and you complete everything electronically — no printing or scanning necessary!

What should I consider if I am going to be starting teletherapy?

The rule of thumb that I tell all of my clients is this: do your best to recreate the feel of an in-person session. This means finding a private, quiet space where you will be free of distractions and can speak honestly and openly with me. It’s really important that you don’t have roommates, significant others, or family members walking around the same room as you since this is your private hour. Silence your cell phone and put it face down or out of the room (or better yet turn it off!), silence all notifications on your computer, and get everything you need for our session in order beforehand, like your coffee/tea, water, or tissues. Preparing for our sessions will ensure that we can make the most out of our hour together.