What to Expect
If you’re thinking about starting therapy but you’re not sure what you’re getting into, this page is for you. We’ll walk you through everything: from your first call to how therapy actually works here, including what it costs and how long it takes.
No vague promises. Just the process, step by step.
You reach out.
Call us, email us, or fill out the form on our contact page. You don't need to know exactly what to say. A sentence or two about what's going on is enough.
We get back to you within one business day.
Our Client Care Coordinator will ask a few questions about what you're looking for and answer any questions you have. She'll be straightforward about our fees so there are no surprises. This is a short, low-pressure conversation.
We match you with the right therapist.
We match you based on what you're dealing with and what matters to you, not randomly. If it helps, we can tell you a little about the therapist's style before your first session so you know what to expect.
How therapy works here
Therapy at Lime Tree follows four phases. Not every client moves through them at the same pace, and your therapist will adjust based on what you need. But you’ll always know which phase you’re in, what it’s for, and what comes next.
Most clients who stay through all four phases tell us they wish they’d started sooner.
Build trust and set direction.
- We match you based on what you're dealing with and what matters to you, not randomly. If it helps, we can tell you a little about the therapist's style before your first session so you know what to expect.
- You don't need to have everything figured out. You don't need to tell your whole story in the first hour. The goal is to start building trust and get a sense of whether this feels like a good fit.
- By session three, you and your therapist will have set specific goals together. Not vague ones. You'll know what you're working on and how you'll measure progress.
- Your therapist will also go over your history to understand the full picture, because the patterns you're dealing with now usually connect to things further back than you'd expect.
Understanding what’s really going on.
- This is where the real work starts. Your therapist will help you identify patterns in your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and connect them to the deeper beliefs and experiences driving them.
- You'll start learning practical tools to handle stress, anxiety, or whatever you're dealing with. Not abstract exercises. Skills you can use in your actual daily life.
- This phase can be uncomfortable. You're looking at things you may have been avoiding for a long time. That's normal, and your therapist will be direct with you about what they're seeing while giving you the support you need to keep going.
- It's challenging, but clients consistently tell us this is where things start to shift.
Track what’s changing and where to focus next.
- By this point, you and your therapist step back and take stock. You check in on the goals you set in sessions 1 through 3. What's getting easier? What's still tough? What's changed outside of sessions, in your relationships, your reactions, your daily life?
- This phase is about honesty. Progress in therapy isn't always dramatic. Sometimes it's noticing that something that used to send you spiraling now just bothers you for an afternoon. Sometimes it's realizing you handled a conversation differently than you would have three months ago.
- You'll also reflect on what's working and what isn't in therapy itself. If something needs to change about the approach, this is when you and your therapist adjust.
Build on progress and decide what’s next.
- At this point you have real tools and real insight. The question becomes: what now?
- Some clients decide to go deeper into areas they weren't ready to address earlier. Some shift focus to a new concern. Some space out their sessions and use therapy as periodic maintenance rather than weekly work.
- There's no deadline. This is your process, and you and your therapist decide together what makes sense. The goal was never to keep you in therapy indefinitely. It was to give you what you need so you can handle life with more clarity and confidence, on your own terms.
- When you're ready to finish, you'll know it, and so will your therapist.
What counseling costs
Sessions are $135 to $180, depending on your therapist’s experience level. We’re a private-pay practice, which means we don’t bill insurance directly.
Here’s why that matters for you: no surprise bills. No insurance company deciding how many sessions you get. And full confidentiality, because nothing goes through a third party.
If you have a PPO plan, your out-of-network benefits may cover a significant portion of the cost. Many of our clients are reimbursed 50 to 70 percent. We provide the paperwork you need to file.
We tell you this upfront because you deserve to know what you’re paying before you commit, not after.
Questions people ask before starting:
Honest answers to the things most people are wondering about but don’t always ask out loud.
How do I know if therapy is right for me?
If you’re reading this page, something brought you here. You don’t need a diagnosis, a crisis, or a specific reason. Most of our clients come in because something feels off and they’re tired of trying to push through it alone. That’s enough.
What if I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t help?
That’s more common than you’d think, and it doesn’t mean therapy doesn’t work for you. It usually means the fit wasn’t right, or the process was too vague to feel useful. We do things differently here: you’ll have specific goals, a structured process, and a therapist who’s direct with you about what they’re seeing. If it’s not working, we’ll talk about it, not just keep going.
How often do I need to come?
Most clients start with weekly sessions. As you progress, you and your therapist may decide to move to biweekly or monthly. The pacing is based on what’s actually happening in your work together, not a rigid schedule.
How long does therapy take?
It depends on what you’re working on and what you want to get out of it. Some clients feel meaningfully better after 8 to 12 sessions. Others choose to continue longer because they want to go deeper. We’ll never keep you longer than you need to be here, and we’ll be honest with you about when we think you’ve gotten what you came for.
Can I do therapy online?
Yes. We offer secure online sessions for anyone in Pennsylvania. Many of our clients do all of their sessions virtually. It works the same way: same therapists, same structure, same four-phase process.
What if I don’t click with my therapist?
It happens, and it’s not a failure. If the fit isn’t right after a session or two, tell us. We’ll match you with someone else on our team. The goal is for you to work with someone you trust and feel comfortable being honest with.
Do I have to talk about my past?
You never have to talk about anything you’re not ready for. Your therapist won’t push you to go somewhere before you have the tools to handle it. That said, the patterns showing up in your life now often connect to things further back. When you’re ready, going there is usually where the biggest shifts happen.
You don't have to have everything figured out to start.
Most people feel nervous before their first session. That’s normal. You reach out, we handle the rest.