FAQs
Therapy
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Most people can benefit from talk therapy. It is a transformative experience that helps you identify and change unhelpful patterns of thinking, behaving, relating to yourself and to others. Therapy can be helpful for people experiencing significant symptoms of anxiety, depression, panic, or grief/loss. It can also help people without these more significant symptoms navigate transitions in life, develop more awareness and insight into their choices, and improve their performance. Therapy can improve your relationship with yourself and others, help you overcome obstacles in your life and career, and support you to flourish in your life.
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During our first session, we will decide on a session time that fits for both of us. Typically, when starting therapy, the expectation is that we will meet once a week for a 50-minute session. This is so that we can build a relationship and a sense of safety and so that you quickly begin to see some changes from our sessions. Most of my clients like to come at the same time every week so that it is built into their schedules. As therapy continues and you begin to feel better and see results, we may decrease frequency to every other week. I will try as best I can to be flexible and make sure times are convenient for us both.
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It varies and depends on your needs and process. Some people come to therapy for short-term help with a specific problem or concern. Some people come to therapy to work on deeper wounds to change life-long struggles. Often my clients work with me for years as a long-term commitment to their growth and success and our sessions become part of their regular self-care routine.
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In California, where I am licensed, psychologists have a doctorate (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) and cannot prescribe medication. Psychiatrists in California have medical degrees (M.D.) and prescribe medication. Generally, psychologists focus on therapy to create change in a person's life and psychiatrists prescribe medication to support that change. I regularly work with highly skilled psychiatrists to coordinate care for my clients.
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I love to hear it! First, just go to the Schedule button and send me a message that you would like to meet for a consultation. We can schedule a free 30-minute consultation either by phone or by video. In our consultation, we will see if we are a good match for each other in terms of style, personality, and what you are looking for in a therapist. If, at the end of the consultation it feels like a good match, we will set up our first appointment together and I will send you the opening paperwork to complete through our online client portal.
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Yes, I offer in person and telehealth sessions. Since the start of the pandemic, most of my practice has been on telehealth. I even have some clients now that prefer to have their sessions on telehealth even when they live close to my office. These clients have come to enjoy doing therapy from the comfort of their home or simply not having to commute in LA traffic to get to my office. I’d say we’ve all become quite used to it! The research supports telehealth as an effective mode for therapy. It’s also approved and supported for EMDR, and I’ve done EMDR over telehealth successfully with many clients during the pandemic. Given its popularity and convenience, I expect that I will continue to offer telehealth in my practice in the future.
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Diversity statement
I validate all experiences of racism, sexism, and oppression. I am committed to understanding the intersectionality of my clients' identities and individual experiences with race, culture, gender, and diversity in the world. I affirm all belief systems and empower my clients to speak out against oppressive systems. I support and empower my clients to use their voice, power, and privilege to act for change in their systems and the world at large.
I affirm and accept all identities and relationships in the LGBTQIA+ community. I strive to create a supportive and positive environment for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and relationship structures
Insurance
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My practice is an out-of-network practice and self-pay only. I can assist you in using your out-of-network benefits to cover our sessions. I provide all required documents for you to submit to your insurance company to be reimbursed partially or in full. Most insurance companies reimburse up to 80% of a session fee. Please contact your insurance company for specific information for your plan.
Policy
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I accept all major credit cards and HSA and FSA cards. Payment is made through a secure, HIPAA-compliant online client portal.
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I ask for 24 hours’ notice to cancel an appointment. If an appointment is cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice, you will be charged the full session fee. I offer one grace cancel per year of therapy.
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By law, you have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate,” or GFE, which explains how much medical care will cost. Under this law, health care providers need to give patients who do not have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical records and services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This generally includes costs such as medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees, which don’t necessarily apply to therapy. You will want to make sure your health care provider gives you a GFE in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service. As it relates to therapy, we discuss up front your fee for therapy service. However, the ‘No Surprises Act’ wants providers to make total fees clear. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a GFE before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill for $400 more than your GFE, you can dispute the bill. It is also highly recommended that you keep a copy of your GFE for your records. For questions or more information about your right to a GFE, call 1-800-985-3059 or visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
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You may view my privacy practices here.