What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy (or therapy) is a holistic way to address challenges you are experiencing in a judgment-free space where you can make sense of your experience with a mental health professional. Some of the benefits of therapy are self-awareness, better coping techniques, improved communication skills, healthier interpersonal relationships (including your relationship with yourself), and reduced feelings of distress. Therapy is collaborative and calls for an active effort from you as part of progress will depend on the level of investment you make. You may experience unpleasant emotions and feel discomfort in gaining awareness and/or in making changes to long standing dysfunctional patterns; however, the way to grow and heal is through.
what is consultation for?
Consultation is a free 20-minute phone call for us to see if I would be a good fit for your needs and is an opportunity to address questions you might have. For couples, it is best to have both partners present at the consultation call.
do you offer telehealth (online therapy)?
At this time, I only work with clients via telehealth, which allows residents of California across the state access to quality care from the comfort of their own home or any location within the state. My clients are located all over California, including San Francisco Bay Area, Greater Los Angeles Area, Orange County, and San Diego County, to name a few. Many people prefer telehealth for the convenience and comfort it provides. Telehealth has made therapy more accessible and does not hinder efficacy as the effectiveness of therapy depends on a myriad of factors, such as the rapport between client and therapist, consistency in attending sessions, and client’s active participation. A study has also been conducted comparing the efficacy of telehealth to in-person mental health care and results have shown that telehealth is as effective as in-person care (read article here). Video sessions are through a HIPAA-compliant platform.
How often should i GO?
It is best for clients to commit to weekly sessions for the first 8-12 weeks as the frequency of therapy is one of the factors that plays a role in therapy’s effectiveness. Progress will be assessed at each session and we can discuss the possibility of changing the frequency of therapy sessions. If you feel that you have achieved your goals or for any other reason, you can choose to pause or end therapy.
how long is an appointment?
Each appointment, whether for individual therapy or for couples therapy, is for 50 minutes. Late arrivals are usually accommodated as long as the client informs the therapist; however, the session will still end at the scheduled time.
what is your cancellation policy?
I have a 24-hour cancellation policy and charge the full appointment fee for late notice and no-show.
Do you take insurance?
I do not take insurance to provide my clients with more confidentiality and control over the frequency of sessions; however, I do provide superbills upon request. A superbill is an itemized bill of services that requires a mental health diagnosis to be noted. I recommend reaching out to your health insurance provider to learn more about your out-of-network benefits as some PPO insurance plans may cover a portion of the cost. Some things to consider asking your health insurance provider: what is the deductible to be met prior, what percentage will be covered, and how to submit a superbill.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Credit/Debit Cards and FSA/HSA Cards
what are your fees?
My therapy session rates are comparable to other licensed clinicians in California. Please schedule a consultation call with me to discuss current rates.
do you provide emergency services?
I do not provide emergency services. For immediate assistance or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or go to your nearest emergency room.
what are policies i need to be aware of?
Please refer to Terms & Policies for more details.