Frequently Asked Questions
We’re here to make the process of therapy as seamless as your path to better mental health.
Why has Tampa Therapy become the most trusted therapy practice in Tampa Bay?
Everything we do begins with one question: “What is in the client’s best interest?”
That philosophy has guided our practice from the very beginning.
Rather than pursuing rapid expansion or high-volume care, we have intentionally built a boutique practice focused on quality, clinical excellence, and personalized treatment. We carefully select every clinician who joins our team, invest heavily in ongoing professional development, and continually refine every aspect of the client experience.
Over the years, that commitment has earned the trust of thousands of individuals, couples, families, physicians, attorneys, and other healthcare professionals throughout the Tampa Bay area.
Our reputation was not built through advertising alone. It was built one client at a time by providing exceptional care, maintaining the highest professional standards, and treating every individual who walks through our doors with the compassion, respect, and expertise they deserve.
Why do clients choose Tampa Therapy over other practices?
For more than a decade, Tampa Therapy has been one of the Tampa Bay area’s most established and respected private psychotherapy practices. Long before many of today’s group practices existed, we were building a reputation for exceptional clinical care, professionalism, and an outstanding client experience.
Clients choose Tampa Therapy because they want more than simply finding the next available therapist. They want confidence that they are receiving care from a practice known for clinical excellence, thoughtful therapist selection, and evidence-based treatment.
Every aspect of our practice has been intentionally designed to create a welcoming, professional, and supportive experience. From your first phone call to each therapy session, our goal is to provide care that reflects the high standards on which our reputation has been built.
What is Psychotherapy?
Therapy is a professional, collaborative process where individuals work with a licensed therapist to address emotional, psychological, or behavioral challenges. It provides a safe, confidential space to explore thoughts, feelings, and experiences, helping you gain deeper self-awareness, learn new coping strategies, and develop healthier patterns of thinking and behavior. Therapy can be helpful for a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship problems, and stress. Whether you’re seeking support through a difficult time or looking to grow personally, therapy offers tools and insights to help you lead a more fulfilling life.
Who Can Benefit?
Therapy can benefit individuals, couples, and families seeking to improve their emotional well-being, strengthen relationships, and navigate life’s challenges. Whether you’re coping with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship conflict, family difficulties, or a major life transition, therapy provides a supportive, confidential environment to better understand your experiences and develop meaningful solutions.
Individuals often seek therapy to gain insight, build healthier coping strategies, process difficult experiences, or work toward personal growth. Couples may come to improve communication, rebuild trust, strengthen their connection, or navigate challenges such as conflict, parenting, or life changes. Families can benefit by improving communication, resolving ongoing conflicts, strengthening relationships, and creating a healthier, more supportive home environment.
You do not have to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Many people seek counseling simply because they want to better understand themselves, build stronger relationships, or create a more fulfilling life. Whatever your goals or circumstances, therapy can provide the guidance, skills, and support to help you move forward with greater confidence and resilience.
What to Expect?
The first sessions are typically thought of as an initial consultation phase. This often takes 1-3 sessions to get a good idea of what kinds of problems are present and what are the goals for treatment. Usually, the first session involves going over necessary expectations and paperwork and then the initial discussions begin. Once there is better understanding of the problems and focus of treatment, how to proceed is discussed and agreed upon, then the process shifts toward psychotherapy. Therapy can look and feel very different depending on the goals and type of treatment involved. If at the end of the initial sessions it does not seem like we can help you with your situation, then we will be glad to make a referral to another professional to help meet your needs.
How Long Does Therapy Last?
Therapy is a highly unique and personalized process. Some problems can be resolved in only a few sessions while others can take much longer. Sometimes people stay in therapy long after the original concerns have resolved because they find it valuable. Others are satisfied with brief treatments and are welcome to return in the future. It is important to remember you can stop at any time. Factors affecting the length of treatment include: goals for therapy (e.g. symptom relief vs. personal growth), motivation, severity and history of problems, current stressors, and other influences such as family environment and previous life experiences (e.g. trauma, quality of relationships). At the onset it is important to discuss what your goals are and what you expect out of care. This can help you avoid an unhelpful psychotherapy experience.
Does Therapy Work?
Yes, therapy can be highly effective, and research supports its positive impact. Studies consistently show that therapy leads to significant improvements in mental health for a wide range of issues. According to the American Psychological Association, about 75% of people who enter therapy show some benefit, with many experiencing reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Furthermore, research published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology indicates that therapy helps individuals not only manage symptoms but also improve overall life satisfaction and relationships. While the process may take time, the long-term benefits—such as increased emotional resilience and healthier coping mechanisms—are well-documented. Ultimately, therapy is a proven tool for meaningful personal growth, and its effectiveness can be greatly enhanced by a strong commitment to the process.
Is the cost of therapy worth it?
I want a therapist who uses EMDR, not one who is simply trained in it. What's the difference?
This is an excellent question and one that many people don’t realize to ask.
Today, many therapists list EMDR among the approaches they are trained in after completing a basic training course. However, completing an EMDR training does not necessarily mean a clinician regularly incorporates EMDR into their practice or has extensive experience using it with a wide variety of clients and concerns.
At Tampa Therapy, we believe there is an important difference between being trained in EMDR and actively practicing it.
Our EMDR therapists use EMDR as a routine part of their clinical work and have extensive experience integrating it into treatment when it is clinically appropriate. They have worked with individuals experiencing trauma, PTSD, anxiety, panic, phobias, grief, and other concerns where EMDR has been shown to be effective.
If you are specifically seeking EMDR therapy, we will match you with a clinician who not only has formal EMDR training but also regularly utilizes the approach in clinical practice. We are also happy to answer any questions about whether EMDR is likely to be an appropriate treatment option for your specific concerns.
Is therapy based on research?
Yes, therapy is deeply rooted in research. Modern therapeutic approaches are based on decades of scientific studies that have shown which methods and techniques are most effective for treating various mental health concerns. Therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) are all supported by extensive research demonstrating their effectiveness in treating conditions like anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship issues. Therapists often use evidence-based practices to ensure their methods are grounded in the latest research, helping to provide the most effective and up-to-date treatment for their clients.
How to Choose a Therapist?
Therapy is a very unique kind of relationship. It is focused on you and your emotional needs, not the typical “back-and-forth” kind of relationship most people have with one another where one person’s needs are attended to and then the other. Therefore, choosing a therapist can be a very important decision. Some important questions to ask yourself are: Did you feel comfortable with this person after meeting them? Did you feel listened to, respected, and understood? Do they seem to be professional and well-trained? Does it seem like they can help you with your problems? Would you consider referring a friend or family member to them? If the answer is no to one or more of these questions, then consider seeking another opinion or referral. Remember, finding the right fit may take time, but it’s worth the effort to find someone who truly supports your goals.
When will I know I am ready to finish therapy?
Knowing when you’re done with therapy, whether individual or couples, is a personal decision that depends on your goals and progress. For individual therapy, it often comes when you’ve gained the tools and insights needed to manage life’s challenges independently, and you feel confident in your ability to handle future obstacles. In couples therapy, you may know you’re ready to conclude when you and your partner have developed healthier communication, resolved the key issues that brought you to therapy, and feel equipped to navigate challenges together moving forward. Your therapist will help guide you through this process, assessing progress and ensuring you’re both ready to transition out of therapy. Ultimately, you’ll know you’re done when you feel empowered, with a stronger sense of self-awareness, healthier relationship dynamics, and the tools to maintain positive change.
Why are your fees what they are?
Choosing a therapist is an investment in your health, relationships, and future. While cost is understandably an important consideration, we encourage prospective clients to also consider the experience, training, specialization, and quality of care they will receive.
Many people are surprised to learn that our fees are comparable to, and often lower than, practices with significantly less experience or specialization. In fact, most newly licensed clinicians and newer practices charge higher rates.
Since opening Tampa Therapy, our philosophy has remained the same: provide exceptional care while keeping our services as accessible as possible. Although the cost of operating a private practice has increased substantially over the years, we have made only modest adjustments to our fees because we believe outstanding mental health care should remain within reach for as many people as possible.
Our goal has never been to simply charge what the market will bear. Instead, we have focused on delivering exceptional value by providing experienced clinicians, evidence-based treatment, personalized care, and an outstanding client experience from your very first interaction with our practice.
Will I always see the same therapist?
Yes.
Therapy works best when you build a trusting relationship with one clinician over time. You will work with the same therapist throughout your treatment, allowing your clinician to develop a deep understanding of your history, goals, and progress.
Consistency is one of the most important ingredients for meaningful and lasting change.
Are therapy sessions available in person or virtually?
Yes. We offer both in-person and secure telehealth appointments to accommodate your preferences and schedule.
Many clients enjoy meeting in person at our welcoming Tampa office, while others appreciate the flexibility and convenience of virtual sessions from the comfort of their home or office. During your initial scheduling call, we’ll discuss your preferences and help match you with a clinician whose availability best fits your needs.
Because therapy is most effective when appointments occur consistently, we encourage clients to choose the day, time, and format that they can realistically maintain over time.
Is virtual therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
For many concerns, yes. A growing body of research has shown that telehealth can be just as effective as in-person therapy for treating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship concerns, stress, and many other mental health conditions.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of therapy depends far more on the quality of the therapeutic relationship and the skill of your clinician than whether sessions take place in an office or through a secure video platform.
Some clients simply feel more comfortable meeting face-to-face, while others find they are more relaxed and open in their own environment. If you are unsure which option is right for you, we’re happy to discuss the benefits of each and help you determine the best fit.
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