Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if I feel nervous about starting therapy?
A: It's completely normal to feel nervous about starting therapy, especially if you're used to taking care of others or keeping your emotions in check. You're not alone in this feeling.Most of my clients feel this way initially, but they often leave our first session feeling seen, understood, and more at ease. I recommend giving it 2-3 sessions to decide if therapy is right for you or if I'm the right fit. It takes time to settle in, but the courage it took to get here is already commendable.
Q: How long does therapy typically last?
A: The duration of therapy is entirely up to you. Healing doesn't follow a set timeline and varies for each person. Many clients work with me for several months, take breaks, and return when new challenges or goals arise. You'll never be locked into a rigid plan. I trust you to know when to start, pause, or end therapy. Our therapeutic relationship is built on autonomy, not obligation.
Q: How often should we meet?
A: We'll talk about this during our first session, but I always center the decision around you, your goals, capacity, schedule, resources, etc. Most clients begin meeting with me weekly or every other week to build connection and momentum.
I've found that starting therapy less frequently than every other week can make it challenging to build a strong foundation, so I do require weekly or every other week sessions to start. Once that foundation is built, we can slow down, speed up, or pause entirely... whatever fits your needs best.
Q: Are you the right therapist for me?
A: Maybe. Maybe not, and that's okay! I'm not here to convince you that I'm the right therapist for you, I'm here to convince you to trust your gut! Finding the right fit therapist is the most important factor in a successful therapy experience and as much I would be happy to be the right therapist for you, I also understand that I'm not the right fit for everyone and that's okay! I want you to trust your gut when it comes to finding a therapist who feels trustworthy, safe, and like what you're looking for. If something about my website, videos, or words resonates with you, that is often a sign that we're on the right track. If you're still unsure, I invite you to book an appointment with me and see how it feels. Therapy is deeply personal and finding the right fit is an important place to start.
Q: Do you provide relationship/marriage counseling?
A: I do not. My work is one on one with individual adults. While I don't offer relationship therapy, many of my individual clients come to me to explore patterns in their relationships. I help people untangle attachment wounds, clarify boundaries, and reconnect with their own needs; work that can profoundly impact relationships, even when only one person is in the therapy room.
If you're looking for relationship therapy for you and your partner(s) and/or family to attend together, please feel welcome to contact me and I'll be happy to provide you with some recommendations Sarah@bloommqt.com
Q: Are you a safe person for BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+ folx?
A: Yes, and I don't take that lightly. As a cisgender, white, straight woman, I know safety is not something I simply get to claim... it's something I have to continuously earn through reflection, humility, ongoing education, and the willingness to be called in. I aim to create a space that honors all identities and is responsive to the harm inflicted by systems, families, and even past therapy experiences.
Safety is crucial in a therapeutic relationship and if finding a therapist with a shared identity to you would make you feel safer, you're welcome to contact me if I can help assist you in finding a therapist with the lived experience you're looking for. You can email me at Sarah@bloommqt.com and I'll be happy to do my best to help you in your search.
Q: Do you personally attend therapy?
A: Yes, I do. I firmly believe that therapists can only guide clients as far as they have journeyed themselves. Engaging in therapy helps me stay grounded, curious, and empathetic to the courage it takes to be a client. Therapy is a powerful act of self-awareness and integrity, not a sign of weakness. I practice what I advocate because I believe in this work wholeheartedly and recognize my own need for space and support.
Q: What are your therapy session fees?
A: My fee is $200 for a 50-minute virtual therapy session.
Q: Do you take my insurance?
A: Not directly. I don't contract with any insurance companies, but that does not mean that you can't use your insurance benefits. I am an out of network (OON) provider, which means that I provide superbills (specialized receipts for insurance) that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Many of my clients receive reimbursement from their insurance company. Reimbursement will depend on your individual insurance plan and benefits, you can click here to view my OON insurance guide to help you learn more about this process.
Q: Do you offer sliding scale or reduced fee options?
A: I offer a limited number of reduced fee spots for clients experiencing financial hardship. These spots are typically full, however if my work aligns with you and cost is a barrier for you, you're welcome to reach out to me and inquire. If my low fee spots are full, I'm happy to provide you with referrals. Contact me at Sarah@bloommqt.com
Q: Do you offer virtual therapy appointments or in person therapy appointments?
A: My practice is fully virtual and I work with individuals who are physically located within the state of Michigan at the time of their appointment. This means that as long as you're in Michigan during your appointment, we are able to work together- you do not need to be a permanent resident of Michigan so college students, or individuals who travel to Michigan regularly, or people staying in Michigan temporarily are eligible for my services.
All sessions are held virtually through a secure, HIPAA compliant video platform. I've found that as a therapist, I am just as skilled and effective virtually as I am in person and my clients love the ease and comfort of logging in from home, their office, or even a parked car on their lunch break. Virtual therapy offers flexibility, accessibility, and powerful results, especially for those balancing busy lives who are always on the go.
If you're unsure if virtual therapy is right for you, you're welcome to contact me and we can discuss how to make your virtual experience as comfortable as possible. Over the years, many of my clients have shared that they felt hesitant about virtual therapy at first but ended up finding it to be an excellent fit and a positive experience.
Certainly, virtual therapy is not everyone's preference so if you're seeking an in-person experience, you're welcome to contact me and I'd be happy to provide you with some in-person referrals. Sarah@bloommqt.com
Q: How can I book an appointment?
A: You can book an appointment using my online booking form here. After submitting the form, you'll gain access to my calendar to request an appointment time. You'll receive an email confirmation once you submit your request. After I approve your appointment (usually within 24-48 hours), you'll be sent new client paperwork to review and complete electronically. This ensures everything is in place before our first session, allowing us to focus entirely on you. If you encounter any issues with the booking calendar, please contact me at Sarah@bloommqt.com.
Still have questions?
You're welcome to contact me with any questions!
Sarah Santiago, MS, LPC, NCC
Email: Sarah@BloomMqt.com
Call/Text: 906-428-6141
Fax: 906-292-7758