FAQ
WHERE IS YOUR OFFICE?
I offer video therapy through a HIPAA-compliant (secure, encrypted) system and also offer therapy over the phone, provided that you have a private place in which you can talk without being disturbed or disrupted.
Due to California state licensure laws I can provide therapy to people residing anywhere (but only) in California.
HOW LONG ARE SESSIONS?
A typical therapy session is 50 minutes. If we do EMDR, there is the option of scheduling a 90-minute session.
WHAT ARE THE FIRST FEW SESSIONS LIKE?
The first 1-3 sessions usually involve reviewing and discussing your intake paperwork, gathering information, and setting goals.
We use these early sessions as an opportunity for me to understand what has brought you to therapy and what outcomes you’d like to work towards. It is also an opportunity for you to get a sense of me and my style.
The first few sessions will help me to clarify whether and how I believe I can be of help to you.
At times, after gathering additional information, I may determine that it might serve your needs better to meet with another therapist who may have a specific skill set.
If this is the case, I make every effort to provide appropriate referrals. My goal is to ensure that you have the right care for your desired outcomes.
Whomever you choose to work with, it should be someone you think you’ll be able to trust, with whom you feel comfortable, and who shows you empathy.
HOW LONG DOES THERAPY LAST?
Good question! The length of time it will take depends both on your goals for therapy and on the pace at which you can best engage with the work.
Depending on these factors, treatment can be relatively brief (for example 2-6 months) or can last several years. It really depends on what you’d like to gain from therapy.
Please ask me any questions you might have for more information, now and throughout the therapy process.
Either way, it’s helpful to regularly check in about how you think our work together is feeling and progressing so that we may make any necessary adjustments.
WHAT IS YOUR FEE?
Please contact me for current fees as they periodically change. I accept payment by most major credit cards and I also accept HSA cards.
Also, you have the right to receive a "Good Faith Estimate" explaining how much your medical costs may be. If we work together, I will provide you with this. For more information, please click here.
DO YOU TAKE INSURANCE?
I do not take insurance and I am not on any insurance panels. However, your insurance may offer "out-of-network" reimbursement. If you are wanting to use insurance to pay for therapy and your insurance plan offers out-of-network reimbursement, I can provide you with necessary paperwork to submit a claim for reimbursement.
Services may be covered in full or in part by your health insurance or employee benefit plan.
You can check your coverage by calling your insurance provider and asking the following questions:
Do I have any mental health insurance benefits?
Does my plan offer out-of-network reimbursement?
What is my deductible? Has it been met?
How many sessions per year does my plan cover?
How much of each therapy session is covered?
Do I need to be approved for mental health services by my primary care physician?
WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT IF I'D LIKE MORE INFORMATION?
Simply call me at (510) 406-5124, email me, or fill out the contact form below. We can then find a time to have an initial consultation at no cost to you.
When we talk, I’ll ask you some questions about your reasons for seeking therapy and what your desired outcomes are. If we both decide that I might be a good fit for you, I’ll email you the intake paperwork and schedule your first session.
I look forward to hearing from you!