Dr. Emily Winakur is a licensed psychologist specializing in children, adolescents, adults, and families.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will my first session be like?
We usually meet with clients for 60-90 minutes for the first session. We will use some of the time to go over important paperwork together pertaining to your rights and responsibilities as a psychotherapy client. We use the remainder of the time to gain a solid understanding of your reasons for seeking treatment and your ideas about how psychotherapy can help your life improve. Additionally, we ask questions to develop a brief history of your family, relationships, and symptoms. Of course, we answer any questions you may have. If we determine at the first session that we are not the best therapists to work with you, we will help you find an appropriate provider.
Subsequent sessions last for 45 minutes.
How long will it take until I feel better?
Every client is different in this way, as a result of a number of factors - what your symptoms are, how severe they are, and how frequently we meet are just a few. There is also so much variability in how long it takes to unlearn habitual behavior and establish new ways of coping and interacting. We discuss with each client at regular intervals how they feel about their progress and symptom improvement, share our own thoughts about their progress, and together we make adjustments to the treatment accordingly.
Can I see you more than once a week?
Yes! There are times when it is very helpful to schedule more than one session per week. If you are going through a crisis, for example, an additional session for a period of time may provide needed support. It is also common in psychodynamic treatment to meet more than once per week because the client-therapist relationship — the key treatment ingredient — develops more quickly and intensely with more frequent meetings.
If I’m working with you individually, can I also see you for couples/family treatment? Or vice versa?
Generally, no. If we are working with you in one modality but we determine that you could also benefit from another modality, we are more than happy to help you find a different provider who can meet your additional needs.
Is it okay if I meet with more than one provider before I choose a therapist?
Absolutely! Psychotherapy is an investment, and you should feel comfortable with your decision. There are important differences between therapists, in terms of their training, philosophies, and methods. Having one consultation session with two or three providers can help you get a sense of what type of therapy and personality feel right for you.
My cultural background is different from yours — I’m worried you won’t understand me...
This is a very valid concern. We believe we are each shaped by our culture (including race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, religion, and sexual orientation) in important ways. We work hard to be sensitive to differences between ourselves and our clients, to educate ourselves about cultural groups different from our own, and, most importantly, to keep the door open throughout therapy for discussions of culture and how it impacts the therapeutic work.
How much does psychotherapy cost?
When possible, we offer clients the choice to receive services from Dr. Winakur or with an advanced doctoral-level student trainee under Dr. Winakur’s direct supervision. There are different payment schedules depending on the service provider, the age of the client, and type of service provided. Upon request, we provide clients with the necessary documentation for submitting charges to their insurance companies for out-of-network provider coverage.
Please view the Investing in Psychotherapy page for more information.
What should I do in an emergency?
In the case of an emergency, such as a medical emergency or having thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, you should call 911 or go directly to your local emergency room. If you are physically safe but urgently need to speak to someone, you should call Crisis Intervention of Houston at 713-hotline (713-468-5463). Once we begin to work together regularly, we can discuss additional and/or different emergency protocols.
What do I do if I want to file a complaint with the licensing board?
In the event you would like to file a complaint with the licensing board, please review the link below for further information: