Frequently Asked Questions
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I aspire to ensure that being in therapy with me feels like sitting with someone who is both deeply attentive and gently honest. Clients have said, “You really see me,” and “I feel safe with you in a way I haven’t felt before.” They describe me as compassionate and grounding, while also appreciating that I’m willing to name the hard truths with care.
In our conversations, you don’t have to perform or have it all figured out. You can simply show up as you are, and together we’ll make space for curiosity about what’s really going on inside.
Our work is not about quick fixes—it’s about slowing down. I’ll ask thoughtful questions that often lead people to say, “I never thought about it that way,” or “That’s exactly what I’ve been feeling but didn’t have words for.” You can expect to leave sessions feeling both lighter and more grounded, like something important has been named and understood.
What makes therapy with me unique is the balance I hold: warmth and honesty, compassion and accountability, curiosity and clarity, offering and inviting feedback. As one client put it, “You don’t just listen—you help me connect the dots in ways I couldn’t on my own.” I have also been told I receive feedback well.
My role is not to tell you who to be, but to walk alongside you with presence, to reflect back what you may not yet see, and to inspire conversations that help you grow into the fullest version of yourself.
As your therapist, I'm here to truly listen and work together with you. I strive to grow with you too.
I’ve been told that my style is warm, conversational and that the metaphors I use tend to help people make sense of what is going on. To use a metaphor, my metaphors can be like a painting that depicts your inner feelings. My goal is to understand your unique world and share insights about mental health so you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and discover ways to move forward. Feel free to learn more about how I work by watching the video below.
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Yes! If you’re interested in confirming whether I am the right person to support your need for therapy, supervision, or consultation, please use the contact form to get in touch.
We will reach out to schedule a 15-minute meeting.
I offer in-person appointments through my office at Pioneer Square in downtown Seattle. I offer virtual appointments too.
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When you come in for your first session with Gitika Talwar, you can expect a safe, supportive space where the focus is completely on you—your story, your needs, and your pace. Whether you’re exploring holistic therapy in Seattle or seeking a compassionate therapist in Washington State, this first session is designed to meet you exactly where you are.
Gitika begins by welcoming you into a relaxed conversation, not a rigid process. You don’t have to prepare anything or show up a certain way; you simply show up as yourself.
She gently guides the conversation so you feel heard and understood, while also giving you the freedom to share as much or as little as you’re comfortable with. This session is not about quick fixes—it’s about discovering what matters most to you and setting the foundation for your healing journey.
You’ll have the chance to talk about what brought you here, what you’re hoping to shift, and what support looks like for you.
Gitika will listen deeply, reflecting your words back so you can feel your own clarity emerging, ask some questions to invite you into compassionate, non judgemental curiosity about what’s going on. She may offer tools, practices, or insights, but nothing is forced—you are always in the driver’s seat.
Gitika is feedback-informed and integrates ways to invite feedback about the session so we can shape our work to your needs.
Many clients describe their first session with Gitika as grounding and surprisingly comforting, because instead of being told what to do, you are met exactly where you are. You’ll leave with a clearer sense of your own needs, as well as an understanding of how virtual therapy (anywhere in WA state) or in-person in Downtown Seattle can support your wellbeing moving forward. Above all, you’ll know that this is a conversation that continues to unfold, facilitated with care but attuned entirely to you.
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Therapist Ally is a one-time consultation to assist you in the process of searching for a therapist. I offer such consultations to people across the world, not just Washington state.
After spending over 5 years at a university counseling center, I learned how to use short-term therapy to figure out what kind of therapy styles and qualities click with different people. I also realized it's super tough to find the right therapist if you're not familiar with the mental health system or how to pay for sessions.
Through Therapist Ally, I share what I've learned to help people get clear on their mental health needs and how to address them.
This service could be especially helpful if you're new to therapy or if you've tried a few therapists and just haven't found the right fit.
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No, I don’t. Couples’ Therapy (and family therapy too) require special skills and training. I do not possess this training.
Additionally, years of experience in individual therapy or even group therapy do not automatically translate into skills in couples’ or family therapy.
I encourage you to look for therapists who explicitly state that they offer couples’ or family therapy or parenting coaching. Definitely ask them about their training in couples or family therapy!
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For people who plan to use their insurance to pay for individual therapy, see the FAQ section about insurance.
If I am not in-network with your insurance, my “private pay” fees are as follows:
First consultation: USD 250
Follow-up sessions of individual therapy: USD 225
Therapist Ally: USD 275
1:1 Supervision and consultation: Sliding scale, from USD 125 to USD 225 | INR 1750 - INR 5000. Pay what you can afford. Contact us so we can collaborate to set a fee based on your income and the frequency of our meetings.
Group supervision and consultation: Varies. Please contact us to discuss.
Training and workshops: Varies. Please contact us to enquire.
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I am currently panelled with Aetna, Regence, Premera Blue Cross, Quest Behavioral Health.
Please go to my Headway profile to verify your insurance benefits and confirm if I am in-network for your insurance plan: Click here to go to Headway
If I am an out-of-network provider for your insurance, please see my out-of-network protocol.
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For folks who prefer not to use their insurance or who are with insurance companies that I am unable to bill, I have a ‘private pay’ fee.
My fees for the first-consultation is USD 250 and for subsequent follow-up sessions (for individual therapy) is USD 225
I offer superbills that you may submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement.
To learn more about using your out-of-network benefits, see this video: https://youtu.be/8mhLU7jRavE.
I also partner with Thrizer to support you in managing your out-of-network claims with your insurance.
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You may cancel appointments with 48-hours notice without charge. For appointment no-shows or last-minute cancellations, you may be charged a fee of USD 140 | INR 1000/-
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Virtual care: Mondays and Wednesdays.
In-person care: Tuesdays and Thursdays
No availability on Fridays and weekends.
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We certainly can! You can download this document to gain a broad overview of the information I typically share and there is a fee for personalized consultation.
As a self-employed individual with various commitments, I've been seeking balance in mentoring folks in a way that honors your aspirations while acknowledging my own human limitations.
Hence, I offer paid support to those who are requesting guidance related to pursuing a Masters or Ph.D. in the field of mental health.
I provide one-on-one consultations and occasional paid workshops to offer both general and customized support to students who are pursuing graduate studies in the field of mental health.
Consultation Fee & what it includes
The consultation fee is INR 2999. This includes a recorded 60-minute conversation where we will address your questions and I will offer my own insights. The goal of our meeting is to get to know your aspirations and existing experience so I can affirm you in ways that combine pragmatic information and aspirational goals. Think of it as a therapeutic consultation about your career.
Consultation Preparation
Read this document for some broad information so you can target your questions and use our time well. If you have information about universities, a draft SOP, or specific questions that you would like to address during our meeting, please let me know so we can set aside time for that as well.
Follow-Up Support
Following our meeting, I will be available over the next 30 days to answer brief questions or to offer confirmations/clarifications about things we discussed at our meeting. I strive to serve as the knowledgeable cheerleader I did not have when I applied.
Additional Support
If it emerges that you need to discuss things in greater depth and might benefit from another consultation, we can schedule another meeting.
Financial Constraints
I understand that financial constraints may exist, so if you wish to pay a lower fee, please do not hesitate to communicate this to me.