FAQs
Therapy FAQs
You don’t need any prior experience. Therapy is a collaborative process, and I’ll meet you where you are. My role is to provide a safe, supportive space and evidence-based guidance as you move toward your goals.
I work with adults navigating challenges such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, grief, moral injury, and life transitions. This is not an exhaustive list, but it reflects some of the most common issues I help clients address. My approach is trauma-informed, evidence-based, and integrative. See more details here.
I draw from a range of evidence-based treatments developed through my PhD training and more than 20 years of experience in mental health. I integrate these approaches with mindfulness and third-wave therapy principles to help clients cultivate resilience and a deeper sense of meaning. Each treatment plan is tailored to the individual, ensuring therapy meets your unique needs and goals. See more details here.
Evidence-based therapy means that the approaches I use are supported by scientific research and have been shown to be effective for treating specific mental health conditions. These methods are grounded in decades of clinical studies and real-world outcomes, so you can feel confident that your therapy is based on proven strategies rather than untested ideas. At the same time, I tailor these approaches to fit your unique needs and goals.
Third-wave therapy is a modern form of psychotherapy that builds on traditional cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). While CBT focuses on changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, third-wave approaches emphasize mindfulness, acceptance, and living in alignment with your values. Many of these methods are influenced by contemplative practices, including Zen Buddhism, which encourages presence, awareness, and compassion. Examples include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). These therapies go beyond symptom reduction to help people cultivate resilience, self-compassion, and a deeper sense of meaning in life.
Therapy Appointment FAQs
Therapy with me begins with a comprehensive 60-minute initial session where we review your mental health history, explore your goals, and collaboratively create a personalized treatment plan. This includes a diagnostic formulation, identification of therapeutic priorities, and selection of approaches that best match your needs.
Ongoing sessions are 50 minutes and typically occur once a week. Depending on your needs and goals, we may adjust the frequency.
Many clients find three to six months is enough to create meaningful change, while others with more complex or long-standing concerns may benefit from longer-term work.
Yes, all sessions are conducted via secure video telehealth, available to anyone in California.
Please contact me to be added to the waitlist. Once there are enough interested participants to form a meaningful group, I will reach out to you with the next steps and scheduling details.
Psychological Assessment FAQs
A psychological assessment is a structured process that uses standardized tests, interviews, and observations to better understand your mental health, behavior, and cognitive functioning.
Assessments can clarify diagnoses, identify strengths and challenges, and guide treatment or personal growth. They are often recommended when symptoms are unclear, when treatment isn’t working as expected, or when more information is needed for school, work, or medical providers.
They can provide insight into concerns such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, learning differences, memory issues, and personality traits.
You’ll complete questionnaires or cognitive tasks and participate in guided interviews. The process is collaborative and designed to feel supportive, not intimidating.
Depending on the scope, assessments may range from a single session to several sessions, with results provided in a feedback session once scoring and interpretation are complete.
Yes. You’ll receive a comprehensive report summarizing results, interpretations, and tailored recommendations for treatment, support, or next steps.
Billing FAQs
I partner with Headway to offer in-network services with Aetna and to manage appointments and messaging with patients. If you have other insurance, you may still be able to use out-of-network benefits.
Headway is a platform that helps therapists work with insurance companies, making it easier for clients to use their benefits for therapy. Through Headway, I can accept Aetna and provide secure telehealth sessions. All appointments, messaging, and session management take place through Headway, which also handles billing and paperwork so you can focus on your care.
Yes, on a very limited basis. Contact me to find out more.
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