Frequently asked questions

Psychotherapy includes a range of evidence-based approaches designed to help you better understand your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and internal experiences. Some therapies focus on insight and awareness, while others emphasize skill-building or behavior change. Each approach is grounded in a theory about how healing and growth occur.

There are many forms of therapy, and some are more effective for certain concerns than others. Because no two people are the same, therapists often integrate techniques from multiple approaches to best support each client’s needs.

At Still Point Wellness, therapy begins with collaboratively assessing your concerns, goals, and priorities. From there, we create a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your values and supports meaningful progress. Sessions are typically weekly or bi-weekly to maintain consistency and momentum, though frequency can be adjusted over time.

Psychotherapy helps reduce emotional distress while also strengthening your ability to cope with life’s challenges. It supports healing by building self-awareness, enhancing existing strengths, and teaching practical skills you can use outside of sessions.

Your therapist may introduce clinical techniques and suggest exercises between sessions to support real-world practice, foster confidence, and encourage independence. Over time, many clients notice increased clarity, emotional regulation, and a greater sense of control in their lives.

An effective therapist serves as both a trained professional and a collaborative partner. Therapists use clinically supported techniques, educate clients about mental health concerns, and rely on research-backed approaches. At the same time, they work alongside you with empathy and respect, recognizing that healing is a shared process.

Therapy is not about judgment or fixing you. It is about understanding your experience, humanizing suffering, and supporting growth in a compassionate, grounded way.

The terms “psychotherapy” and “counseling” are often used interchangeably. Historically, counseling programs sometimes emphasized strengths-based or educational approaches, while psychotherapy was more closely associated with clinical treatment. Today, there is significant overlap.

What matters most is not the title, but the therapist’s training, theoretical orientation, techniques, and style. Two therapists may use the same approach but work very differently. When choosing a provider, it’s helpful to ask about their methods, experience, and whether their approach is supported by research.

Licensure matters. Licensed professionals have completed at least a master’s degree, clinical training, supervised hours, and a licensing exam. Requirements vary by state.

Anyone can call themselves a “therapist,” but licensure indicates formal training and regulation by the state. If you are seeking care, it is appropriate to ask whether a provider is licensed, in which state, and what training they have received.

Kim is licensed in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida.

This depends on your symptoms, needs, and treatment goals. A therapist provides psychotherapy and works with emotional, behavioral, and relational concerns. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication and, less commonly, provide therapy.

If medication is needed, a psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant is required in North Carolina. In many cases, therapy alone is effective. In others, a combination of therapy and medication may be recommended. A qualified professional can assess your situation and help determine the most appropriate care.

Many mental health concerns can be effectively treated with psychotherapy. Research supports therapy for conditions such as anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, phobias, eating disorders, and more.

Not all therapies are appropriate for all concerns. Some approaches have strong scientific support, while others do not. In certain cases, using an unsupported approach can even worsen symptoms. That’s why it’s important to work with clinicians trained in evidence-based treatments tailored to your specific needs.

Therapy sessions vary based on the approach and the individual therapist. Sessions often include conversation, reflection, and structured exercises that help you explore your values, emotions, beliefs, behaviors, relationships, and bodily sensations.

Together, these elements help clarify what contributes to your sense of meaning, vitality, and satisfaction—or what may be getting in the way.

Individual therapy sessions typically last between 30 and 55 minutes. Some therapeutic formats may involve longer sessions, such as 80–90 minutes.

Most clients begin with weekly sessions. In certain situations, more frequent sessions may be appropriate, especially during acute stress. As symptoms improve and skills strengthen, sessions may shift to bi-weekly or monthly, depending on your goals.

Therapy sessions are $200 per session.

Therapy is often covered by insurance, though coverage varies by plan. Some clients have out-of-network benefits, meaning insurance may reimburse part of the cost. You can contact your insurance provider to ask about out-of-network coverage for individual psychotherapy.

Deciding when to end therapy is an ongoing, collaborative conversation. Together, you and your therapist will regularly assess progress, goals, and readiness.

Therapy should never foster dependence or reduce confidence or self-reliance. While some clients benefit from longer-term support, others reach a point where tapering or concluding therapy feels appropriate. Clients are always free to end therapy, and therapists should support that decision when the time feels right.

Therapy can help with a wide range of emotional concerns, including anxiety, depression, anger, shame, and stress. It can reduce how often these emotions occur and how intense they feel.

As you gain emotional regulation skills, confidence often grows. This can support meaningful changes in relationships, work, and personal goals—helping you move forward with greater clarity and control.

Support from friends and family can be valuable. However, some challenges require clinical expertise, careful assessment, or specialized treatment. Certain issues may also feel too private or complex to share with loved ones.

Therapy provides a confidential, professional space to work through chronic struggles, unresolved pain, or goals that haven’t shifted despite good intentions. In those cases, therapy can offer tools and insight that informal support cannot.

Therapy is a nonjudgmental space where your experiences are met with kindness and compassion. Fear of vulnerability is common, especially for those with unprocessed trauma.

Therapy moves at your pace. Your therapist will support you while helping you gently shift patterns that no longer serve you. Feeling overwhelmed is not a barrier to therapy—it’s often the reason people come.

All virtual sessions are conducted through Regroup, a secure and HIPAA-compliant platform. You’ll receive a private, password-protected link before your appointment. All you need is a device with a camera and microphone.