FAQ

How do I know if it’s the right time to start therapy?

For Individuals
You don’t need to be in crisis or have everything neatly defined before starting therapy. Sometimes you know exactly what keeps happening and are frustrated that understanding it hasn’t been enough to change it. Other times, you simply know that something feels off — you’re overwhelmed, disconnected from yourself, struggling in relationships, or finding that the ways you’ve always coped aren’t working as well anymore.

Therapy can be a place to slow down and get curious about what is happening, particularly in the moments where you tend to lose access to yourself or fall back into familiar ways of protecting. You don’t need to know exactly what you need before you come in. Figuring that out can be part of the work.

For Couples
You also don’t need to wait until your relationship is at the brink of ending. Couples come to therapy at many different points: when the same fights keep happening, when there is more distance than either partner wants, when something painful has happened that they haven’t been able to repair, or when they simply recognize a pattern they don’t want to keep repeating.

Couples therapy isn’t only for relationships in crisis. Sometimes couples come in because there is still a great deal of love and commitment between them, but they want help reaching each other differently in the places where they get stuck.

Can experiential therapy really work over telehealth?

It’s a fair question — especially when Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) asks us to slow down and stay with emotions that can be difficult to access. Research generally finds telehealth therapy to be as effective as in-person therapy, and meaningful emotional work can absolutely happen through a screen.

For couples, some of the most important ingredients are already in the room: you and your partner, together. You can still turn toward one another, notice each other’s reactions, and take new emotional risks in real time. For individuals, being in the comfort and familiarity of your own space can also support experiential work. And for everyone, telehealth offers the practical benefit of being able to fit therapy into your life without the added time and stress of a commute.

Telehealth does require a private space, reliable internet, and a setting where you can speak freely and stay present. Dr. Ko will talk with you about anything that might interfere with the depth of the work.

What will our sessions actually look like?

Whether you’re coming to therapy individually or as a couple, our first session will be focused on getting to know you—what’s bringing you in, what’s been painful or stuck, and what you’re hoping for. We’ll begin to map out the patterns you’re caught in and how they’re affecting your emotional world or your relationship. For couples, the first session is joint, followed by one session with each of you individually, and then we continue meeting together from there.

You don’t need to come prepared with an agenda—just come as you are. Sessions are warm, conversational, and focused not only on what has happened, but on what’s happening right here in the moment. Rather than relying primarily on advice or skills, we’ll slow things down, pay attention to what’s happening emotionally and in your body, and help you stay with experiences you might normally move away from. The goal is to create new emotional experiences that shift how you relate to yourself and to others.

In couples work, Dr. Ko is especially active in session, stepping in when the patterns that disconnect you begin unfolding between you in real time. That might mean pausing a conversation to notice a shift in tone, tension in your body, or the moment you begin to defend, go quiet, or pull away. Together, we’ll slow those moments down and get underneath the protection so that what is harder to show—often the hurt, fear, need, or longing—has a chance to come forward. Dr. Ko will hold your experience with care while helping you take new emotional risks with one another.

How long can I expect to be in therapy?

The honest (but maybe unsatisfying) answer is: it depends. Dr. Ko approaches therapy with focus and clarity, but the length of the work varies depending on what brings you in. If the distress is more recent or the emotional territory is already somewhat accessible, meaningful shifts can happen in a shorter timeframe. When the pain runs deeper—due to long-standing patterns, trauma, or attachment injuries—therapy often requires more time and care.

Progress also depends on how ready and able each person is to engage emotionally. In both individual and couples work, we’re often working with protective strategies that have developed for good reason. The process of softening those defenses and reaching for each other—or for yourself—in a new way can’t be rushed. So while some clients may feel substantial change in just a few months, others may find that a longer engagement better supports deeper transformation.

Therapy isn’t indefinite, but the length of the work depends on your unique context. We’ll regularly check in about how things are going and whether the work continues to feel helpful and aligned with your goals.

What are your fees?

Dr. Ko does not accept insurance, and payment is due at the time of service. Choosing an out-of-network provider can give you greater flexibility to select a therapist based on the specific expertise and approach you’re looking for, rather than limiting your search to providers within your insurance network. Dr. Ko’s practice is specialized in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), with particular expertise in couple therapy.

If you have a PPO plan with out-of-network benefits, you may be eligible for reimbursement for a portion of your session fees. Dr. Ko can provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurance company and is happy to help you understand and navigate the process. Because plans vary considerably, reimbursement is not guaranteed.

Current session fees are available upon request and will always be discussed before scheduling your first appointment.

What is your cancellation/no-show policy?

Please provide at least 48 hours’ (firm) notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment. For example, if your appointment is at 4pm on a Tuesday, you’ll need to cancel no later than 4pm on Sunday. This allows Dr. Ko to adjust her schedule and offer the time to another client.

One “freebie” late cancellation or no-show per calendar year is offered as a courtesy. After that, any late cancellations (less than 48 hours’ notice) or no-shows will incur a $210 late cancellation/no-show fee. You will receive a reminder after the first occurrence so that you’re not caught off guard by any future fees.

Any other questions?

If you have any other questions, you’re welcome to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation using the button below. It’s a chance to briefly share what you’re looking for, ask any questions you may have, and get a sense of whether working together feels like a good fit. It would be a privilege to work with you!