Common Questions
Where and when do you see clients?
As of October 2022 I am seeing clients at a Los Angeles office on Tuesdays, and virtually on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Do you take insurance?
While am not in network with any insurance companies I do provide Superbills that help you get reimbursement for our sessions if you have a PPO health insurance plan.
How much do you charge?
My current rate is $230 per 45-50 minute session.
I live in (fill in the blank), can we do video sessions?
I am currently able to do video sessions with clients in the following locations:
California – Licensed Psychologist, PSY25163
Colorado – Licensed Psychologist, PSY0005336
Florida – Registered Out-of-State Telehealth Provider, TPPY297
What is your cancellation policy?
Clients need to notify me before the 48-hour mark to avoid being charged for the session. True emergencies that occur within 48 hours of the scheduled appointment are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
What age ranges do you work with?
I work with adults who are 18 and older.
Do you work with women? Men?
I see adults of all ethnicities, national origins, sexes, sexual orientations, gender identities, familial statuses, disabilities, religious / spiritual backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, and political beliefs.
What do you do in sessions with clients?
Talk, mostly 🙂 I focus on getting to know my client in their story. I accept my clients, validate their experiences, and listen to them actively and authentically. I work together with my clients to alchemize their hurt and pain into healing and growth.
Do your clients receive assignments to work on between sessions?
It depends! If you and I both agree that homework assignments would be helpful, and you’re willing to do them, then yes you will get homework.
What modalities do you use in your client work?
I use a mixture of modalities that I customize for each client. I provide my clients with acceptance, authenticity, and empathic understanding (in therapist jargon, Person-Centered Therapy). I focus on the development of personal coping strategies that target solving current problems and changing unhelpful patterns in thoughts, behaviors, and emotional regulation (aka Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT).
For clients who want to work on trauma, I use techniques that stimulate both sides of the brain to optimally reprocess traumatic memories (otherwise known as EMDR). With members of the LGBTQIA+ community, I help them work toward authenticity and self-acceptance (more jargon, Affirmative Therapy). I am also a trained and certified Spiritual Coach and Spiritual Counselor for clients who want to work on that area of their life.
What is your professional training and experience?
My BA in Psychology is from UCSD, and my Master’s and Doctorate (PsyD) are from Pepperdine University. I am trained in EMDR through the EMDR Institute.
How often do you see clients?
Generally, once a week, but I’m able to see clients more often when they are in crisis.
Can I see you if I’m not able to come into your office?
Yes! I offer video sessions to clients through free and confidential VSee.
Does what I’ve been through really warrant therapy? Aren’t there people who have been through a lot worse?
What you have been through “counts.” If you’re reading this, then your intuition is telling you that you need and deserve help… go with that. It doesn’t matter what others have been through; suffering is relative.
Am I too messed up for therapy? Won’t all my stuff scare you and make you think I’m beyond help?
Not to downplay what you have been through… I’ve heard and seen a LOT. I believe you, and I am not scared. No one is beyond being helped, you included.
Aren’t all therapists crazy?
To be honest… kinda! The good news is that (1) that means we can definitely empathize with what you’re going through and don’t just know it intellectually, and (2) most of us have done the needed work on our issues to better be able to help you with similar stuff.