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What to expect

The therapy process

1 / Brief consultation

Meet with me by secure video chat for a free 15-minute consultation to discuss whether I might be a good fit for your needs. Research shows that the quality of the client--therapist relationship is a key predictor of benefit; I'll let you know if my expertise seems like a good fit for your needs, and you'll get a sense of what it might be like to meet with me.

2 / Diagnostic evaluation

Our first meeting will consist of an in-depth interview (typically 60 minutes) to help me get to know you, your background, and your mental health history in order to inform treatment. Our treatment planning will be a collaborative process to ensure we are focusing our work to address your goals.

3 / Therapy

We will schedule a time to meet regularly for therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the gold standard for treating a range of problems like anxiety and depression. Research suggests that meeting regularly (usually once a week) for CBT produces the best treatment benefit. Most people tend to see benefit within the first few few sessions, and many achieve meaningful change within 12--20 sessions. CBT treatment focuses on building skills and strategies that you can use to maintain treatment benefit after therapy ends. Depending on your goals, this might be anywhere from a couple of months to a few years. If helpful in achieving your treatment targets, my support may also include coordinating with your loved ones and with other providers (e.g. a psychiatrist or your PCP) to promote additional layers of support.

© 2025 by Matthew Sullivan PhD Psychology PLLC | New York, NY

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