FAQ
I’m nervous about starting therapy or coaching. Is that normal?
Absolutely. It’s very common to feel nervous when starting therapy or coaching, especially if you’re shy, socially anxious, or have been hurt by others in the past.
Many people feel hesitant when opening up to someone new. It’s normal to worry that counseling will feel uneasy and embarrassing or that your counselor will secretly judge you.
Reaching out for help is incredibly courageous, especially in a society that stigmatizes mental health struggles. But everyone needs support from time to time. That’s just human.
At the Relationship Center, we are committed to creating a welcoming and accepting space so you can be yourself, nerves and all. Our therapists are passionate about making sessions as comfortable as possible and ensuring you feel their unconditional positive regard.
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 or coaches could be the right fit for me?
We recommend reading about our counselors on our Meet the Team page. We’ve shared in-depth bios to give you a sense of each therapist’s personality, approach, and specialties.
If reading through our bios gives you the sense that we could help you, please apply for a free 30-minute consultation.
During your call with our Care Coordinator, you can share the struggles prompting you to start coaching or therapy. Once we understand your needs, we will help you choose the counselor who is right for you. If you already have one in mind, feel free to request one.
You can also ask us more about your therapist or coach. You might be curious to know more about their style or professional background.
We like to think of the first few times you meet with your counselor as a trial run. During your initial sessions, you and your therapist will explore how well your goals match their personality 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 you a therapist or coach 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?
We’re so glad you’re listening to yourself! That’s huge.
For many people, especially shy or highly sensitive folx who’ve been hurt in past relationships, it can feel risky to be vulnerable, especially with a stranger.
Please rest assured that your therapist will never force you to explore issues that you’re not ready to discuss. Our job is to respect your natural healing process by giving you the time and space to slowly work through the painful stuff.
If you’re worried about opening up in therapy or coaching, we recommend sharing that with your clinician. They’ll also help you talk about that without pressuring you to share before you’re ready.
Regardless of what you’re going through, including your fears about the process, your counselor will welcome you exactly as you are.
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 countless shy, 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?
Everything you share with your therapist is completely confidential unless there is an imminent danger to yourself or someone else. We highly respect your privacy and value your trust.
In other words, provided there aren’t any imminent threats, you can talk about anything without fear of that information getting out.
If you have specific questions about confidentiality, you can ask them during your free 30-minute consultation.
How long will therapy take?
Our clients generally start seeing small but noticeable improvements within the first few sessions. Those small wins typically motivate our clients to continue therapy or coaching, including creating a clear plan for achieving their goals.
As you might expect, the duration of therapy or coaching depends on a client’s unique goals and struggles. Some clients progress significantly with our recommended minimum of eight sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support.
You can work with your therapist to find the length of treatment that works for you.
How frequently will I meet with my therapist?
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 session frequency. They will most often recommend weekly sessions, as we’ve found that cadence supports our clients' reaching their goals promptly.
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.
Our licensed clinicians can provide a limited number of telehealth 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 have a 48-hour cancellation and reschedule policy. That means we require at least 48 hours' notice when making any changes to a scheduled appointment. This policy applies regardless of the reason for the cancellation or no-show. In other words, we collect payment for sessions canceled or changed with less than two days’ notice no matter what caused the absence (even if you can meet at a different time that day or week).
How can I get started?
If you’re ready to improve your relationships, please fill out an application and request a time for a free 30-minute consultation. Our Care Coordinator will discuss your 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.