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Do you offer telehealth or phone sessions?
Yes, I do. If you are away from home and don’t want to miss a session or have concerns about conducting in person sessions due to COVID-19, I offer telehealth sessions via video conference or telephone. I only offer this service to ongoing clients who are residents of the state of California.
How can therapy help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that therapists can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a possible solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
Getting a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
Developing skills for improving your relationship with yourself and others
Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy to begin with
Learning new ways to cope with life stressors and anxiety
Managing grief, anger, depression, and other emotional pressures
Improving communication and listening skills
Changing old patterns of behavior and developing new ones
Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or partnership/marriage
Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
What payment types do you accept? Can I pay with insurance?
Payments can be made by cash, check or credit card and are due at each session.
If you have insurance coverage, I can provide monthly statements for you to submit to your insurance companies. I will not generate a monthly statement without either your request or my need to do so and will respond to inquiries from your insurance company only with your written permission.
Can I cancel my appointment?
Cancellations happen, but please call 48 hours before your appointment, otherwise you are responsible for your missed session. Upon your request and if my schedule permits, I will make every effort to reschedule your appointment within that week. If you cancel several sessions, it may better to have a “floating” appointment time instead of a regular one.
What happens if I’m running late?
We’re all busy! I will hold the time I have reserved for you and we will start as soon as you arrive.
How long are therapy sessions?
Sessions are 50 minutes in duration.
How often do we meet?
I meet with clients once a week. You will be given regular appointment times that I will keep open for you each week. Depending on your goals, needs and symptoms, we may decide to meet more or less than that which we will discuss together.
What can I expect at my first session?
If you have any questions or doubts about the therapeutic process, please discuss them when you contact me so we can address them. However, as stated above, sessions are 50 minutes and I will spend that time getting to know you and seeing if we’re a good fit. If we’re a good fit, we’ll discuss next steps going forward. Remember, whatever solutions we discuss are only as effective insofar as they work for you and help you accomplish what you came to therapy for to begin with.
My partner isn’t sure about the idea of Couples therapy. Any thoughts to ease their mind?
If your partner is ambivalent or nervous about the process, please encourage them to call me in advance to discuss their concerns. Couples therapy only works when both parties are invested in the process.
How long will therapy last?
This depends on the severity of the issue you're facing as well as your goals for treatment. Therapy can last from several sessions to years depending on what your specific needs are.
Can I end therapy?
You can end therapy whenever you choose and for whatever reason. I do generally recommend that you participate in at least one, possibly more, termination sessions. These sessions are intended to facilitate a positive termination experience and give us both an opportunity to reflect on the work that has been done.
Are the sessions confidential?
Absolutely. I am legally prohibited from revealing to another person that you are in therapy with me, nor can I reveal what you have said in any way that identifies you giving me that permission in writing. The only times I have to reveal information we discuss in therapy are if you reveal a serious intent to harm yourself or become a danger to yourself, if you reveal intent to harm another person, if I suspect abuse or neglect of a child, an elder, or a dependent adult, or if a court subpoenas information in our sessions or if I serve in court.
My child is receiving therapy. Can I ask you for information you discuss during those sessions?
Communications between therapists and patients who are minors (under the age of 18) are confidential. However, parents and other guardians who provide authorization for their child’s treatment are often involved in their treatment in some capacity. Consequently, I may discuss the treatment progress of a minor patient with the parent or caretaker with permission from the child. Patients who are minors and their parents are urged to discuss any questions or concerns that they have with me at the inception of treatment.
I’m ready to get started, now what?
Send me a message through the contact page, or give me a call so that we can talk and schedule an appointment.