Frequently Asked Questions
Thinking about therapy but not sure where to start? You're not alone. Here are answers to the questions people ask most often before reaching out.
If you don't see your question here, feel free to get in touch directly.
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No. Most people who come to therapy aren't in crisis. They're stuck, tired of the same patterns, or ready to understand themselves and their relationships better. You don't need to be falling apart to benefit from this work. You just need to be ready to do it.
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If you've been asking yourself that question, it probably is. Therapy is a good fit for anyone who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or ready to make a change but isn't sure how. It's also a strong fit for people navigating high conflict in their relationships, whether at home or at work.
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The first session is a chance for us to get to know each other. We'll talk about what brought you to therapy, what you're hoping to get out of it, and whether working together feels like the right fit. There's no pressure and no agenda beyond that.
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Yes. A brief consultation is available so you can ask questions and get a sense of how I work before deciding to move forward.
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Psychotherapy is a broad term for the professional, evidence-based process of working with a trained therapist to understand yourself, process your experiences, and create real change. It's not one single technique or approach. It's the overall practice of therapy itself — the relationship, the work, and the framework that holds everything together.
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Great question, and one more people should ask. Terms like IFS, CBT, EFT, and the Gottman Method refer to specific modalities — particular frameworks or techniques used within therapy. Psychotherapy is the broader container that holds them.
Think of it this way: psychotherapy is the practice, and the modalities are the tools used inside it. A good therapist doesn't pick one tool and use it on everyone. They draw from multiple approaches based on what you actually need.
Some of those modalities have become well known recently — and for good reason. They're effective and well-researched. But they tend to work best when they're part of an ongoing therapeutic relationship, not just a standalone technique. That's what psychotherapy provides.
You can read more about the specific modalities Bridget works with and how they fit together on the About page.
How Therapy Works
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Sessions are collaborative and conversational. There's no script or fixed format. We follow what's most useful for you, whether that's working through something specific that happened, exploring a longer pattern, or building concrete skills for managing conflict and emotion. Virtual sessions are available and work just as well as in-person for most people.
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Both. Virtual sessions are available and are a great option for people with busy schedules or those who prefer the comfort and privacy of their own space. Many clients find virtual therapy just as effective, and in some cases easier to be open in.
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Sessions are typically 45 minutes for individual therapy and 60 minutes for relationship therapy. For more intensive work, conflict resolution meetings of one to four hours are also available, as well as multi-day intensives running two to three days for those who want to go deeper in a condensed period of time.
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It depends on your goals. In our early sessions we'll talk about what you want to get out of therapy and build a loose plan together. Some people come for a focused period to work through something specific. Others stay longer for deeper work. We'll check in regularly to make sure the work is still useful and adjust as needed. There's no fixed timeline.
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No. Therapy isn't advice-giving. My role is to help you understand yourself more clearly so you can make decisions that are right for you. That said, this isn't passive work either. We'll practice skills, challenge patterns, and work toward real, concrete change.
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High conflict therapy is for people who experience intense, recurring conflict in their relationships, whether with a partner, family member, or colleague. It's for people who feel flooded by emotion during disagreements, who keep having the same fight without resolution, or who want to communicate better but don't know how. The work focuses on understanding what's driving the conflict beneath the surface and building real skills to change it.
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Yes. Individual therapy can be incredibly effective even when a partner isn't involved. Understanding your own patterns, triggers, and responses is meaningful work on its own. And often, when one person in a relationship changes how they show up, the dynamic shifts.
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Yes. Conflict in a relationship isn't a sign that something is broken. It's often a sign that two people care deeply but don't yet have the tools to communicate that effectively. That's exactly what this work addresses.
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That's a normal part of the process. When we start paying attention to patterns we've been avoiding, it can feel uncomfortable at first. That discomfort is usually a sign that something real is being touched. We work through it together, and it does get better.
High Conflict and Relationship Questions
Cost and Pricing
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Making therapy accessible matters to us. Please reach out directly for information about current rates and availability.
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Yes. A discounted rate is available for those experiencing financial difficulty. Please don't let cost be the reason you don't reach out.
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Therapy is offered on a private pay basis. Statements are provided for out-of-network reimbursement, which means you may be able to recoup a portion of the cost through your insurance plan. It's worth checking with your provider about your out-of-network benefits before getting started.
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Payment is requested at the time of service via Zelle or PayPal.
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A minimum of 48 hours notice is requested for any changes or cancellations to your appointment.
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Bridget Madigan-Sharp is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New York State. She holds a Master of Clinical Social Work from Fordham University and completed postgraduate training in humanistic psychotherapy with the New York Person-Centered Resource Center. She has been in private practice since 2020.
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This work is direct, collaborative, and grounded in real skills, not just insight. It's also personal. Understanding conflict from the inside, not only from clinical training, shapes how this work is done. Many people come in having tried therapy before without feeling like much changed. The difference here is in the specificity. Understanding a pattern is one thing. Having tools to actually change it is another. Both matter.
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We combine a thoughtful, human-centered approach with clear communication and reliable results. It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it that sets us apart.
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Yes. Supporting people through high conflict situations, whether in romantic relationships, family dynamics, or professional environments, is a core focus of this practice. If conflict feels like a defining feature of your life right now, you're in the right place.
About Bridget
Still have questions?
Reach out. There's no commitment in a conversation.