Therapy feels like a big step to me. What can I expect?

Asking for help from a professional you don't know can sometimes feel scary. But working with a therapist you come to trust can help you sort through your feelings and discover a path to relief from the problems you are facing. In addition, you can develop new insights and skills for managing difficulties and empowering your life.

How will I know if therapy is right for me?

I offer a Complimentary Initial Consultation lasting 45-minutes before we begin therapy. Not only does this give me the opportunity to make certain that my specialties compliment your needs, but it gives you a sense of me and whether you feel the "fit is right." In addition to telling me what brings you to therapy, you will be able to ask any questions you might have. As we talk you will probably have a clearer idea if you are comfortable starting therapy.

How long will our sessions be?

Sessions for individuals last 50 minutes and couples' sessions last 1 hour and 15 minutes. We generally meet once a week. It is possible to meet more often if you find yourself going through a particularly difficult time. I can provide options to meet your individual needs.

How long will I be in therapy?

You have a unique situation, set of life experiences, and needs. My overall goal will be to put you on a course of positive well-being. l generally estimate about twelve sessions, more or less. It depends, however, on whether you are entering therapy to resolve a single issue or whether additional challenges emerge in the course of our work. Therapy is a flexible process involving us working together. And together we will determine how long therapy will last. We can talk about it anytime throughout the process.

Is therapy confidential?

Yes, confidentiality is the bedrock of therapy. The law and professional ethics protect the privacy and confidentiality of the relationship between a client and therapist, and information you share cannot be disclosed without your written permission. There are, however, certain exceptions to this: for example, child or elder abuse among others.

Do you accept insurance?

I am an out-of-network provider. However, many common insurance carriers will reimburse a good amount toward our work together. See my Rates and Insurance page for more information.

What forms of payment do you accept?

I accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and debit cards. In addition, you can also use your Medical Flex Cards including HSA (Health Savings Account), FSA (Flexible Spending Account), and HRA (Health Reimbursement Account) cards. Payment is made at each session.

What's the first step in getting started?

You can contact me through this website filling in the Contact page or Appointment Request under the Get Started tab. You can also call or text me at (818) 761-6162 or email me at Therapy@GraceValenti.com. If I am not available when you reach out, please know that your call is very important to me! I check calls, texts, and emails frequently. If you leave your contact information, I'll get back soon. For confidentiality reasons, please do not leave a detailed message of a personal nature.