KIYONDA HESTER, LMSW (she/her)

Meeting consistently and stably on a weekly basis will help build safety and trust, which is essential for the work to progress on a deeper level. Biweekly sessions impact the effectiveness of therapy. 

Often, meeting less frequently results in a ‘catch up’ type of session and does not allow for the time, space, and emotional capacity needed to address what goes on beneath the surface.

Depending on the level of our work, there are also times when meeting two or more times a week is appropriate, and that will always come from us talking and making that decision together.

Therapy can last any time between a year to many more, as long as you are still progressing from our work. The length of therapy depends on what you want and need, and what you want/need can be fluid and dynamic. 

Healing and personal growth is not strict or predictable. You can start off by wanting to address something very specific (e.g. “I want to feel less anxious”), but through our work together could realize a deeper meaning to these anxious symptoms (e.g. “I feel anxious because I am terrified of intimacy” to “I’ve had very familiar experiences of being emotionally suffocated when I was close to people”). Realizing these deeper long-standing issues may then shape the focus and length of treatment. 

Regardless of why you are seeking therapy and how long you hope to be in treatment, it is important to remember that your thoughts and input are invaluable to us, and the pace and length of treatment will always be a collaborative discussion.

No information will be released without your written consent unless mandated by law. Possible exceptions to confidentiality include but are not limited to the following situations: child abuse; abuse of the elderly or disabled; criminal prosecutions; situations where the client is a danger, physically or emotionally, to themselves or another person. 

Anyone who wants a space to explore and discover more about themselves can benefit from therapy. If you’re unsure, try asking yourself these questions:

• Am I content with the way I live my life?
• Is the way I live myself and relate to others congruent with what I authentically value , feel, and want?
• Are there areas of my life or self-development that I feel stuck in?
• Have I been trying the same things over and over again to feel better, expecting different results, but still feeling stagnant?

You may not need to know the full answer to these questions to try a few sessions. Sometimes, mulling this over aloud with a therapist can help you sort out your thoughts and answers. That’s also part of the therapy process!

A 45-minute session with Kiyonda starts at $150 depending on the modality (individual versus couples). 

We are out-of-network providers for all major insurances, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, and United Health Care. 

Out-of-network psychotherapy coverage varies by carrier and policy. If you have out-of-network coverage, you can get reimbursed approximately 50-80% of each session after the deductible is met. It can be confusing if you don’t know the right questions to ask. Here is some guidance below.

Here are 3 simple steps.

Therapists, like all humans, have different personalities and ways of working. Naturally, not everyone will be a match for each other. That being said, we are still happy to have been a part of your journey and want to help in any way we can by offering recommendations for your therapist search as well as reaching out to our networks to see if anyone offers the kind of therapy you are looking for 🙂 

Therapy at our practice is not a passive process or a quick solution. People seeking a quick fix without having to do much work themselves may not be a good fit. Therapy is a gradual and ongoing process. It involves self-discovery, exploration, and developing coping mechanisms over time. Meaningful change often requires time and consistent effort.