FAQ

Most people have questions about what to expect in therapy……

Here are a few that we can answer for you. I am sure you have more and we would love to answer those by providing a FREE phone consultation. Call us at (916) 426-2757 to schedule a time.

Does therapy work?

Most people can benefit from counseling services at some point in their lives. Meta-analysis of 375 controlled studies: the “typical therapy client” did better than about 75% of untreated people (classic, foundational evidence). Seeking professional support is a sign of good coping skills and intelligence, not a sign of weakness. Counseling gives you the benefit of an outside perspective that is quite different from talking with your friends and family.

The feeling of being stuck is usually what brings most people to counseling. Sometimes people feel stuck in a dissatisfying career, relationship, mood, thought pattern, or destructive patterns of behavior. People may approach their “stuckness” or problems in the same ways, each time hoping for different results. What is necessary is a change in strategy. A new approach. A therapist can offer an objective and caring perspective, using your strengths to help you move forward. When you clarify your strengths and values, identify possibilities for your future, and unblock emotions, you will usually feel relief. You gain clarity, awareness, and a renewed energy to face life’s challenges.

Who do we work with?

Our clients are intelligent, successful people who are struggling in an area of their life (relationship issues, life changes, depression, anxiety, parenting issues) and really want to find lasting change. They are willing and motivated to do the work, looking for insight and tools, and practicing new thoughts and behaviors.

We work with committed couples who look successful on the outside, but feel stuck at home, high-achieving, mid-to-upper-income professionals who invest in growth, individuals who want deeper healing so relationships can improve, too, and families/parents who want calmer homes and stronger connections. RTC offers evidence-based therapy in Roseville and Fair Oaks, CA, the greater Sacramento area, and throughout California—couples counseling (Gottman Method), affair recovery, premarital counseling, trauma therapy (EMDR/Brainspotting), and family support.

Do you have an in-person therapist near me?

Yes. Relationship Therapy Center offers in-person therapy appointments at our offices in Roseville and Fair Oaks, serving clients from Sacramento and Placer County (including Rocklin, Granite Bay, Loomis, Citrus Heights, and nearby communities).

When you contact us, our intake team will help you:

choose the closest office location
match with a therapist based on your goals (couples, individual, family, trauma/EMDR, etc.)
find an in-person appointment time that fits your schedule

If getting to the office is tough, we also offer secure online therapy for many services.

Tip: If you’re searching “therapist near me,” look for “Relationship Therapy Center” in Google Maps to see which location is closest to you.

What days and times do you offer therapy appointments?

We offer therapy appointments 7 days a week, including evening hours. Relationship Therapy Center provides in-person therapy in Roseville and Fair Oaks and online therapy across California, with appointment times available during the day and in the evenings to fit busy work and family schedules.

To find the soonest available time, contact our intake team—we’ll match you with the right therapist and help you choose the office location and appointment time that works best.

How many therapy sessions do I need?

It depends on what you’re working on, but most people start noticing meaningful change within 6–12 sessions—especially when sessions are consistent and you practice skills between appointments. Some concerns are more short-term, while others benefit from longer support.

Here’s a helpful guideline:

4–8 sessions: a specific goal (stress management, decision-making, coping skills, communication tools)
8–20 sessions: anxiety or depression, relationship patterns, life transitions, grief, confidence and boundaries work
20+ sessions: trauma recovery, complex or long-standing patterns, attachment wounds, or deeper healing work
Couples therapy: many couples begin with weekly sessions, then shift to biweekly as communication improves; more complex issues (affair recovery, high conflict, big trust injuries) often take longer

At Relationship Therapy Center, we’ll talk with you early on about your goals and give you a clear plan—then we’ll adjust the number of sessions based on your progress, your schedule, and what your relationship or healing process needs.

How often should I go to therapy?

Most people start therapy once a week. Weekly sessions help you build momentum, learn new skills, and make changes faster—especially if you’re dealing with high stress, anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, or a relationship that feels stuck.

As things improve, many clients shift to every other week (biweekly) to practice what they’re learning and maintain progress. Some people eventually move to monthly “maintenance” sessions for support, accountability, and prevention—kind of like a tune-up, not a crisis visit.

A good rule of thumb:

Weekly therapy: when you’re starting, overwhelmed, or working through something intense

Biweekly therapy: when symptoms are steadier, and you’re practicing changes between sessions

Monthly therapy: when you’re maintaining progress and want ongoing support

In couples therapy, it’s common to meet weekly at first, then move to biweekly as communication improves. At Relationship Therapy Center, we’ll recommend a schedule based on your goals, urgency, and availability—so therapy fits your life and actually works.

How do I know if therapy is right for me?

Therapy is a good fit if you’re experiencing things like:

ongoing stress, anxiety, irritability, or burnout
sadness, low motivation, or feeling emotionally numb
relationship conflict, disconnection, trust issues, or communication problems
trouble setting boundaries or people-pleasing patterns
grief, trauma triggers, or difficulty “moving on” from something painful
big life transitions (career changes, parenting stress, divorce, caregiving, empty nest)

A simple way to decide: if your current strategies aren’t working—and it’s impacting your mood, relationships, sleep, or ability to enjoy life—therapy can help.

If you’re unsure where to start, our intake team can help match you with the right therapist and next step.

What can I expect in a therapy session?

At Relationship Therapy Center (RTC), a therapy session is a private, supportive, and structured conversation focused on helping you feel better and make real-life changes. Sessions typically last 50–100 minutes, and you’ll work with your therapist to create a plan that fits your goals.

Here’s what you can usually expect:

A brief check-in: what’s happened since the last visit (or what brings you in today).

A clear focus for the session: one or two priorities—stress, relationship concerns, anxiety, burnout, trauma symptoms, parenting challenges, etc.

Insight + practical tools: strategies you can use between sessions (communication tools, coping skills, boundaries, nervous system regulation, and more).

A next-step plan: you’ll leave with clarity on what to practice or reflect on before your next appointment.

Because RTC offers multiple specialties, your session may look a little different depending on your needs: individual therapy, couples counseling, family therapy, or trauma-focused approaches like EMDR/Brainspotting (when appropriate).

We offer in-person therapy in Roseville and Fair Oaks and secure online therapy across California, with appointments available 7 days a week, including evenings.

Is therapy confidential?

Yes, therapy is confidential. What you share with your therapist at Relationship Therapy Center is private and protected by law and professional ethics. We do not share information about your treatment without your written permission.

There are a few important legal exceptions to confidentiality, including situations where:

there is an immediate risk of serious harm to you or someone else
there is suspected abuse or neglect of a child, dependent adult, or elder
records are required by a court order or other legal requirement
you sign a release allowing us to coordinate care (for example, with a doctor or another provider)

If you’re doing couples or family therapy, your therapist will explain how confidentiality works in that format as well, including how information is handled if one partner shares something individually.

We’ll review these limits clearly in your first session so you always know what is private and what must be reported.

Do I have to talk about my childhood in therapy?

No, you don’t have to talk about your childhood in therapy. At Relationship Therapy Center, therapy is collaborative and paced to what feels comfortable for you. You can absolutely focus on what’s happening right now—stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, communication patterns, burnout, grief, or a life transition—without going deep into your past.

That said, talking about childhood experiences can be very helpful when it connects to what you’re struggling with today. Many of our “automatic” reactions—shutting down during conflict, feeling overly responsible for others, struggling to trust, getting easily triggered, or fearing abandonment—didn’t come out of nowhere. Sometimes those patterns were learned early as ways to cope, stay safe, or get love and approval.

Benefits of exploring your childhood (when it feels right)

You understand your patterns instead of just judging them.
Instead of “What’s wrong with me?” it becomes “Oh—this makes sense.”

You can change the emotional “default settings.”
Childhood experiences can shape how your nervous system responds to stress. Processing the roots can reduce reactivity and help you feel steadier.

It improves relationships.
Understanding attachment needs and old wounds can soften conflict cycles, reduce defensiveness, and help you communicate more clearly.

You build self-compassion and stronger boundaries.
Many people discover why they overgive, avoid conflict, or tolerate too much—then learn healthier ways to protect their time, energy, and needs.

It can help trauma and trigger work move faster.
For some clients, addressing early experiences can reduce triggers and repeated “stuck” feelings in the present.

You’re still in control

If your therapist suggests exploring childhood, it’s never to “dig up the past” for no reason. It’s because it may support your goals—like feeling calmer, reacting less, connecting more, or breaking a recurring pattern. And if you’re not ready, that’s okay. We can start with present-day coping tools, communication strategies, and practical steps first—then decide together if and when it makes sense to go deeper.

Think of it like this: you can absolutely improve your life by working on the “here and now.” Exploring childhood is simply an optional extra layer that can make the change more lasting for many people.

How long does it take for therapy to work?

t depends on what you’re coming in for, but many people begin to notice positive changes within 3–6 sessions—often feeling more hopeful, clearer, and better equipped to cope. More meaningful, lasting change commonly builds over 8–12 sessions, especially when you’re practicing new skills between appointments.

A helpful guideline:

1–3 sessions: getting oriented, setting goals, relief from being understood, and a plan

3–6 sessions: early symptom relief, better coping, clearer patterns

8–12 sessions: deeper skill-building and more consistent change

12+ sessions: complex stress, trauma recovery, long-standing patterns, or big relationship repairs

In couples therapy, progress can start quickly when both partners are engaged, but rebuilding trust or changing long-term patterns often takes more time and consistency.

At Relationship Therapy Center, your therapist will help you set clear goals early on and check in about progress—so you’re not wondering forever whether therapy is helping. We offer in-person therapy in Roseville and Fair Oaks and secure online therapy across California, with appointments 7 days a week including evenings.

How effective is therapy?

Therapy is effective for many people. Research consistently shows that psychotherapy helps reduce symptoms, improve coping, and increase day-to-day functioning—especially when you have a good therapist fit, attend regularly, and practice what you’re learning between sessions.

Here are a few evidence-based takeaways you can trust:

Most clients report meaningful improvement. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) reports that almost 90% of clients saw improvement in emotional health after treatment.
Psychotherapy is strongly supported across thousands of studies. The American Psychological Association (APA) notes broad scientific support for psychotherapy’s effectiveness across common mental health concerns.
For depression and trauma-related concerns, outcomes are well-studied. Meta-analyses show psychotherapy for depression leads to measurable clinical benefits (including response/remission rates), and trauma-focused approaches like TF-CBT and EMDR have evidence supporting PTSD symptom reduction in many studies.

What affects how well therapy works?
The biggest factors tend to be: the match between your needs and the therapist’s approach, consistency (weekly or biweekly is common early on), and your ability to apply tools outside of the session.

At Relationship Therapy Center, we focus on clear goals and practical progress—not endless talking in circles. We offer in-person therapy in Roseville and Fair Oaks and secure online therapy across California, with appointments 7 days a week including evenings.

What is the best way to find a therapist that’s a good fit?

What is the best way to find a therapist that’s a good fit?
The best way to find a therapist who’s a good fit is to look for the right specialty, approach, and connection—not just a nearby office. Start by choosing a therapist who regularly treats what you’re dealing with (such as couples counseling, anxiety, trauma/EMDR, family therapy, or relationship concerns). Then pay attention in the first few sessions: do you feel respected, understood, and like you’re getting a clear plan and practical tools?

It also helps to confirm logistics up front—availability, fees, and whether you want in-person therapy or online sessions.

At Relationship Therapy Center, we offer in-person therapy in Roseville and Fair Oaks, serving clients across Sacramento and Placer County, plus secure online therapy across California. Our intake team can help match you with a therapist based on your goals and schedule.

t with your therapist.

Do you offer online therapy in California?

Yes. Relationship Therapy Center offers secure online therapy for clients across California. Teletherapy can be a great option if you live outside our area, have a busy schedule, or prefer to meet from home. Online sessions are conducted through a confidential, HIPAA-compliant platform and are available for many services, including individual therapy and, in many cases, couples counseling and family therapy (depending on clinical fit and provider availability).

What insurance do you take?

Our center does not currently take insurance as we find that it limits the ability to provide the treatment we deem necessary. The other reason is that it forces us to create a diagnosis. Couples counseling is not considered reimbursable unless one of the parties is diagnosed. Then the couples work is supposed to help that diagnosis. We use the Gottman Method of couples counseling which works on relationship skills vs treating a diagnosis.

Some insurance plans will reimburse out of network providers though. Our center can provide a bill at the end of each month to submit to them. In fact, ‍If you have a PPO plan, you may be eligible to get 60-80% of each session reimbursed after you meet your deductible.

What if you don’t know if your insurance plan has out-of-network coverage?

At the current time, we are not in network with any insurance companies and do not bill your insurance company on your behalf. However, many people do have out of network coverage for these services. If you would like, we can provide you with a bill to provide to your insurance company.

To find out more about whether your health insurance or employee benefit plan may cover some or all of your costs, please contact your insurance company with the following questions:

·Do I have mental health insurance benefits?

·Is there coverage for an out of network provider?

·What is my deductible and has it been met?

·How many sessions per year does my health insurance cover?

·What is the coverage amount per therapy session?

·Is approval required from my primary care physician?

After obtaining the answers to these questions, you will want to consider how far you are from reaching your deductible (if you are far from reaching it. Because you will likely be paying the full cost of your sessions regardless of whether you go with an in or out of network provider). You will want to ask how much of the session will be covered after you meet the deductible. And what is the availability of providers within your network.

Finally, you may want to consider whether you would benefit most from specialty care. Many specialists (including us) are not in network with insurance providers. But sometimes you can progress faster working with someone specializing in the issues guiding you to seek treatment. For further information please contact us directly.

GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE- Required Notice

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees (not a part of psychotherapy).

Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit

www.cms.gov/nosurprises

What are your rates?

All of our therapists are well trained. Some of our therapists have specialty training or are licensed vs master level clinicians on their way to licensure. Rates are $170 or $240+ per 50-minute session based on the therapist and whether individual or couple sessions. Longer sessions can be scheduled with a prorated rate.

What type of payment do you accept?

Cash, checks, credit cards, Flexible Spending/Health Savings Accounts.

How do I make an appointment?

You can call or text us at (916) 426-2757. If we are not immediately available, please leave a message with some days and times that might work for you. You will receive a return call within 24 hours to schedule an appointment. But many times it is within a few hours so you don’t have to wait. Another option is to click on the request appointment link below and schedule at the location and with the therapist of your choice.

Request Appointment

How soon can I get an appointment?

Appointment availability can vary depending on the therapist, the service you’re seeking (individual, couples, family, EMDR/trauma therapy), and whether you prefer in-person or online sessions. At Relationship Therapy Center, we work to schedule new clients as soon as possible, and we offer appointments 7 days a week, including evenings to make it easier to get started.

To help you get in quickly, our intake team will:

confirm your preferred location (Roseville or Fair Oaks) or online therapy in California
match you with the best-fit therapist
offer the soonest available appointment options that work with your schedule

For the fastest scheduling, contact us with your availability (days/times) and whether you’re seeking couples counseling, individual therapy, or family therapy.

What if I’m in crisis—should I contact RTC or call 988/911?

If you are in immediate danger, feel unable to keep yourself (or someone else) safe, or need urgent help right now, do not wait for a therapy appointment. Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

If you are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, or you need urgent emotional support, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) any time, 24/7. You can also chat through 988’s website.

Contact Relationship Therapy Center (RTC) for non-emergency concerns—like scheduling an appointment, requesting a call back, or getting connected with the right therapist. RTC is not able to provide 24/7 crisis response, and messages may not be read immediately.

If you’re unsure, choose safety: 988 for urgent support, 911 for emergencies.