Introduction

I strongly believe you should have as much information as possible when choosing a therapist. It is an extremely important decision, as you will be trusting your therapist with your most personal wishes and experiences, and discussing things you may not ever discuss with anyone else in your life. In order to offer as much information as possible about therapy in advance, I have several pages on this site dedicated to the topic. This page covers some general issues including the length and cost of therapy, the methods I use, etc. My Theory of Therapy page goes into much greater detail on my methods and assumptions, and my Effectiveness page gives precise data on how often clients can expect to improve, and by how much, using these methods. While therapy is not for everyone, I hope you will agree based on this information that therapy has a significant benefit for almost all who seek it.

The three questions I am most often asked by people considering therapy are "How long will it last?" "How much does it cost?" and "Will it work?" Let me address each of these questions individually.

Therapy typically lasts 8 to 12 sessions. Even before you begin therapy, we can discuss what your particular goals are and I can offer a realistic assessment of how long you may need to reach those goals. It is to both of our benefit if you come away from therapy feeling that you made the maximum possible gain in the minimum possible time. Sessions typically cost $95 an hour. Sessions with couples are usually 1.5 hours, in keeping with the model of Emotionally Focused Therapy I use. (There's more on EFT on the Theory page if you're interested.) With any therapist, a therapy hour includes roughly a 50-minute session, followed by time for your therapist to make notes from the session, handle billing, or conduct other administrative tasks specific to your case. Note: I do have a limited number of therapy slots available at reduced fees for those with low incomes. Please call or email me if you feel you may qualify. Therapy is very likely to make a positive difference in your life. I use only modern methods supported by scientific research. EFT, for example, creates significant improvement in 9 of every 10 couples who complete the process. (There's more data on the Effectiveness page.) Neither I nor any other therapist can guarantee positive change, since that depends in large part on how you use what you've learned in therapy over the other 23 hours of the day and the other six days of the week. But combining your willingness to try new things with my well-supported methods is very likely to create positive, lasting change in your life.

If you are interested in scheduling a free, in-person or phone consultation to see whether therapy may be right for you, call me at 916-565-3510 or send me an email at ben@bencaldwell.com.

About Couples Therapy

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the couples therapy process I use, typically is completed in 12 sessions of 1.5 hours each. Sessions are usually held once each week. More information on the process and its results can be found on the Theory and Effectiveness pages, respectively.

If you are interested in couples therapy but concerned that your partner may be unwilling to join, I encourage to schedule a single, individual session to discuss strategies to bring in your partner. With your permission, I may be able to contact your partner directly to invite them in, a process that works in a majority of cases. I have found that a carefully crafted letter or a phone call from me is often enough to alleviate your partner's concerns about therapy, whether they be about being blamed for problems, being too vulnerable in the therapy room, or whatever other worries they may have.

Couples therapy is appropriate for most relationship concerns. Couples therapy is not appropriate, however, when there is ongoing domestic violence in the relationship. If you are in such a relationship, individual therapy would be more appropriate until a substantial time of non-violence has occurred.

If you are interested in scheduling a free, in-person or phone consultation to see whether therapy may be right for your relationship, call me at 916-565-3510 or send me an email at ben@bencaldwell.com. If you are interested in some tools that may help your relationship at no charge, please visit my Tools page.

About Individual Therapy

Narrative Therapy (NT), the process I use with individuals, is typically completed within 8 to 12 weeks. Some client goals dictate that the process be substantially shorter or longer; for those clients who desire long-term processes, we build in frequent measures of progress toward your overall goals to ensure continuous gains are being made. Narrative therapy is a strength-based, goal-oriented approach. Sessions are typically 1 hour, and are held once per week. More information on the process and its results can be found on the Theory and Effectiveness pages, respectively.

Individual therapy using NT is appropriate for a wide range of therapy goals. It is especially well-suited to those who are not satisfied with life as it is and wish to improve their interpersonal functioning, whether it be at home, work, or school. If you feel you are not relating to others as well as you would like, please call 916-565-3510 or email ben@bencaldwell.com to schedule a free consultation.

Non-Discrimination and Social Justice Statement

I welcome clients regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual preference, or disability. I am firmly committed to upholding principles of non-discrimination and social justice throughout my practice. A limited number of therapy slots are available at reduced fees to those with low incomes; please call or email for further information if you feel you may qualify. At my discretion, a portion of your fee may be used to support the work of community clinics (in various communities across the state, nation, and world) offering therapy services at low or no fees to those in need.