Question 1

Can I message my therapist between sessions, and how quickly will I hear back?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your clinician is happy to respond to non-urgent scheduling questions between sessions, such as canceling or rescheduling appointments. For clinical questions, treatment guidance, or therapeutic support, we ask that you schedule an appointment so we can give you the time and care you deserve. During office hours, our team responds to general outreaches within 24 business hours and providers generally return phone calls within 24–48 hours. For emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.

At Kellen Mental Health, your clinician is happy to respond to non-urgent scheduling questions between sessions, such as canceling or rescheduling appointments. For clinical questions, treatment guidance, or therapeutic support, we ask that you schedule an appointment so we can give you the time and care you deserve. Messaging is not a substitute for a therapy session, and if clinical matters are addressed outside of a scheduled session, that time may be billed at the clinician’s standard hourly rate.

For timing, messages are handled during office hours, not in real time. Our team responds to general outreaches within 24 business hours and providers generally return phone calls within 24–48 hours. If you write in the evening, on weekends, or on a holiday, you may hear back the next business day. Your therapist will also review clear communication boundaries with you, so you know what to expect between visits in individual therapy, couples and marriage counseling, or family therapy.

If you are in a mental health emergency or worried about your safety, do not wait for a portal reply. Call 911, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact the 988 Lifeline. If you need more support sooner, we can help you schedule an extra session, including online therapy and virtual counseling when available.

Question 2

How do I choose between a 45-minute and 60-minute individual session?

Accepted Answer

Individual therapy sessions at KMH are offered in 45 or 60 minutes, in person or by secure video. Choose 45 minutes if you want a focused check-in, skills practice, or a tight schedule. Choose 60 minutes for deeper work, complex stress, trauma, or multiple goals.

Individual therapy at Kellen Mental Health is offered in 45 and 60-minute appointments, in person or through online therapy and virtual counseling. The right length depends on how much you need to cover.

A 45-minute session is often a great fit when you have a clear focus and want steady momentum. Many clients use 45 minutes for anxiety and stress management, depression counseling, ADHD-related organization and executive-function skills, and weekly or every-other-week support. It is also a strong option once you are feeling more stable and want shorter check-ins to practice CBT, ACT, or DBT tools between sessions.

A 60-minute session gives you more room to slow down, connect patterns, and work with heavier emotions without feeling rushed. We often recommend 60 minutes if you are working on trauma and PTSD therapy, grief, major life transitions, or if you tend to need extra time to settle in and wrap up. Longer sessions can also help when you want to include mindfulness practice or grounding skills in the same visit.

If you are unsure, we will help you choose during intake and can adjust over time.

Question 3

How long should I expect to be in therapy?

Accepted Answer

Every therapy journey at KMH is unique. Some clients seek therapy for several weeks or months to address specific challenges, while others find long-term support helpful for continued growth and self-discovery. However long you choose to engage, our commitment to your well-being remains constant.

Counseling at Kellen Mental Health is designed to fit your unique goals, not a preset calendar. During your first appointment we clarify what you want to accomplish—relief from anxiety and stress, rebuilding trust in couples and marriage counseling, healing trauma with EMDR, or boosting focus through ADHD and executive-functioning coaching. Based on those goals, your therapist will recommend a cadence (often weekly at first) and an estimated range, typically eight to twenty sessions for focused work. Short-term therapy can be as brief as six sessions when you need targeted skills for a specific challenge; more complex concerns such as longstanding depression, PTSD, or major life transitions may span several months to a year.

Progress reviews happen every four to six sessions. We look at symptom change, skill mastery, and your overall sense of well-being. If you’re thriving sooner than expected, we taper to bi-weekly or monthly maintenance. If new layers surface, we extend or integrate complementary supports like integrative psychiatry, mindfulness training, or life coaching to keep momentum strong.

Remember, you set the pace. Our holistic mental health care model gives you the option to pause, return, or stay connected through corporate wellness programs and mental-wellness workshops whenever new seasons of growth arise.

Question 4

How should we prepare for our first couples counseling session?

Accepted Answer

For your first couples counseling session, come with a shared goal, a few concrete examples of what keeps you stuck, and a willingness to listen. Complete any intake forms ahead of time. Decide if you prefer a 60- or 90-minute session and, for virtual counseling, test your private space and tech.

Couples & Marriage Counseling works best when you show up prepared and on the same team. Before your first couples counseling session with Kellen Mental Health, try these steps.

1) Get clear on what you want. Each partner writes 2 to 3 goals and one sign things are improving. Examples: calmer talks, rebuild trust, better teamwork with parenting, more closeness.

2) Bring a few recent examples. Pick one or two moments that capture the pattern. Note what happened, what you felt, and what you needed. This helps us map the cycle and start changing it using evidence-based therapy such as the Gottman Method, Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy.

3) Complete any questionnaires ahead of time. Some couples also use tools like the Prepare/Enrich Assessment for Couples. If you are asked to take an assessment, do it separately, answer honestly, and avoid debating the questions at home.

4) Plan the logistics. Sessions are offered in 60 or 90 minutes, in person or through online therapy and virtual counseling. A 90-minute first session can help when time is tight or conflict is high. For Virtual Counseling, choose a quiet, private room and test your camera and sound on a secure video platform.

Come with questions about pacing (many couples start every other week), homework, and how to handle hot topics like intimacy, money, or infidelity. If you feel anxious, a few minutes of slow breathing before you log on or walk in can help you stay present.

Question 5

What is grief counseling, and who is it for?

Accepted Answer

Grief counseling is a form of individual therapy that helps you process loss and keep moving forward without forgetting what mattered. It is for anyone grieving a death or major change like divorce, job loss, or a pet’s death especially when sadness, anxiety, or numbness disrupts daily life.

Grief counseling is counseling that helps you work through the emotions and life changes that come with loss. At Kellen Mental Health, we offer holistic mental health care that supports you in moving through grief while protecting your well-being. This can help after a death and after other major losses such as divorce, a breakup, job loss, infertility or pregnancy loss, a big move, or the death of a pet.

Grief counseling is for you if you feel stuck, numb, irritable, anxious, or depressed; if you feel isolated; or if grief is affecting sleep, work, parenting, or relationships. It can also help if you notice unhealthy coping like overwork, withdrawal, or increased use of alcohol or other substances.

In individual therapy, you and your therapist create a safe, confidential space to share the story of your loss, make room for intense feelings, and learn steady coping skills. Your plan may include evidence-based tools like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) skills, mindfulness, and solution-focused work. If your loss was sudden or traumatic, EMDR Therapy or Brainspotting may be part of care. Sessions can be in person or through secure online therapy and virtual counseling so support fits your schedule.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I message my therapist between sessions, and how quickly will I hear back?

How do I choose between a 45-minute and 60-minute individual session?

How long should I expect to be in therapy?

How should we prepare for our first couples counseling session?

What is grief counseling, and who is it for?

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