What happens on the initial consultation call?

The initial consultation is a short check in where I will ask some background information to determine if I can be of help to you. This is also your opportunity to ask me questions and get a sense of my style of working. If you have any hesitations about starting therapy, let me know and we can talk about it. Additionally, we will also discuss logistics such as the fee and frequency of sessions. If we decide that we would like to move forward, we will schedule a time consistent time for us to begin our work together. If not, I am happy to offer referrals to others who may be a better fit.

What can I expect in my first session?

The first handful of sessions are all about determining if we are a good fit and how I may best support you. In these first few sessions you will have the time, space and opportunity to tell me about yourself and what has brought you to therapy. We will think together about the issues you are seeking support for and create a mutual agreement on the purpose of our therapy, as well as how we’re going to achieve that purpose. We will collaborate in order to find the best way for us to work together.

What does a typical session look like?

Every session, and every patient, is different.

However, what I will say is that during our time together you will be encouraged to speak your mind freely and I will help you think about the underlying meaning behind the thoughts and feelings. Nothing is off topic.

Eventually, through the process of making sense of your internal landscape, we will begin to see that what you struggle with outside of therapy will inevitably arise within the therapy relationship. That is because humans are relational beings and our earliest relationships create a template for how we understand ourselves and how we operate within all of our subsequent relationships. However, because this template is with us from the beginning, it can be hard to identify and see it for ourselves. During our time together, we will work on putting words to what is happening in the here and now so you can experience new ways of relating and being understood. It is through this process of self-awareness and repair in a collaborative environment that we start to feel more integrated and whole.

Do you take insurance?

I do not participate in any health insurance networks or submit insurance claims. This is for confidentiality, sustainability and autonomy purposes. However, I am happy to offer you a monthly super bill for you to submit to your insurance company if your policy provides out-of-network coverage.

If you have insurance and would like to seek reimbursement, it may be helpful for you to ask the following questions to your insurance company before starting our work together:

• Do I have mental health insurance benefits?
• Does my policy offer out-of-network coverage? What percentage of my bill will be reimbursed from an out-of-network provider?
• Do I have a deductible for mental health?
• How many sessions are covered per calendar year?
• Do I have a co-payment?

Therapy hasn't worked for me in the past, how do I know you are different?

The relationship between therapist and patient is extremely important and a good match is key to the work. I have found that sometimes it takes a little trial and error to find the right person for you. I have worked with many patients over the years who have struggled with their previous therapists for one reason or another. If you’ve been disappointed with other treatments, let’s discuss whether I can help.

Does talk therapy really work? What about for trauma?

Yes, talk therapy works and there is an abundance of research and evidence to support this. I tend to find that people for whom talk therapy hasn't worked for in the past is speaking less to the efficacy of talk therapy and more about the fact that the therapist was not a good fit. As for trauma, psychodynamic psychotherapy interventions align with the principles of trauma-informed practice.

I do not live in the state of Californica, can we still work together?

My MFT license limits me to work only with those who reside in the state of California. However, if you are outside of the state and would like to work together, reach out and we can discuss feasibility of working under a coaching relationship.

I am nervous to start! Any thoughts for me?

Choosing to prioritize your mental health can be a huge undertaking. You may have all sorts of thoughts and feelings about the fee, the time commitment, and what may be asked of you. I remember being nervous too when I first started. However, we never quite know where the process will take us until we start. And the thing about psychotherapy is that you won't have to figure it out alone. You are welcome to reach out with any questions by completing the form above and I will get back to you soon.