Questions Are Welcome.

You don't need a crisis to benefit from therapy. Many people begin simply because something feels harder than it should, a relationship feels stuck, or they'd like to understand themselves more fully. If you're asking the question, that's often reason enough to explore it further.

Fit matters as much as credentials. A consultation is a good way to get a sense of how a therapist listens, whether their approach makes sense to you, and whether you feel comfortable being honest with them.

The first appointment focuses on getting to know one another, understanding what brings you to therapy, and beginning to explore your goals. You are not expected to explain everything in one sitting.

That's completely fine. Your therapist will walk you through what to expect and help the process feel less unfamiliar as you go.

No. Many people start therapy without a clear sense of what's wrong, only a sense that something feels off. Clarifying that is often part of the work itself.

Availability varies, but we aim to respond promptly to inquiries and get you scheduled for a consultation as soon as reasonably possible.

Yes. If it becomes clear that a different clinician on our team might be a better fit, that's a conversation we're glad to have.

Many clients begin with weekly sessions, then adjust frequency over time based on their goals and how treatment is progressing.

There's no fixed timeline. Some people attend therapy for a specific season of life, while others continue longer term, depending on their goals.

Sometimes therapy temporarily increases awareness of difficult emotions that had been set aside for a while. This doesn't necessarily mean something is going wrong. Healing is rarely a straight line.

Progress often shows up as small shifts, like recognizing a pattern sooner or recovering more quickly after conflict, rather than one dramatic turning point.

Yes. Naming exactly what's wrong is often something that becomes clearer through the process itself, not a prerequisite for starting.

Sometimes, depending on your goals and the approach being used. It's never assigned as a formality, only when it genuinely supports your progress.

That's alright. Your therapist will help guide the conversation rather than expecting you to arrive with an agenda every time.

Yes. Emotion of any kind is a normal and welcome part of the process, not something to manage or apologize for.

Trauma refers to experiences that overwhelm a person's ability to cope, leaving a lasting impact on the nervous system. It can stem from a single event or from cumulative, ongoing experiences.

No. Effective trauma treatment, including EMDR, does not require you to narrate every detail of what happened in order to help.

EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a structured therapy approach that helps the brain process distressing memories so they carry less emotional intensity.

No. EMDR is not hypnosis. You remain fully aware and in control throughout the process.

This is best determined together with your therapist based on your history and goals, often during your initial evaluation.

EMDR is well-researched and generally well-tolerated, though some sessions can feel emotionally intense in the moment. Your therapist paces the work to match your capacity.

This varies significantly by person and history. Some people notice meaningful shifts within months, while more complex or long-standing trauma may take longer.

Yes. What you share in therapy is protected by confidentiality, with a small number of legal exceptions explained clearly when you begin treatment.

Exceptions generally include situations involving risk of serious harm to yourself or others, or suspected abuse of a child, elder, or dependent adult, as required by law.

No. Your employer is not informed that you're attending therapy unless you choose to share that yourself.

No, not unless you choose to tell them. Individual therapy is confidential even if your spouse is aware you're attending sessions.

If you use insurance, your insurer will typically receive a diagnosis and dates of service for billing purposes, though session content generally is not shared.

This should be discussed directly with your therapist, as recording policies are addressed as part of informed consent at the start of treatment.

This depends on the type of session. Family members may join family sessions, but individual sessions are generally just between you and your therapist unless discussed otherwise.

Crawley Integrative Marriage and Family Therapy is a California-based practice offering therapy by telehealth throughout the state.

No. We currently offer telehealth sessions only, which allows us to serve clients throughout California regardless of location.

Please contact us directly to confirm age ranges served, as this can vary by clinician and availability.

Our specialties include complex trauma, first responder and military families, narcissistic and emotional abuse recovery, infidelity, EMDR, and Christian counseling, among others.

You can reach us through our contact page to ask questions or schedule a consultation.