frequently asked questions

As you are looking for a new therapist you might see a few different titles for various mental health professionals (usually located behind someone’s name). I hope this information provides you some clarity on what these different professions are and their general education/training.

These professionals include:

Psychologists: Psychologists hold doctoral degrees (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology and are trained in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders. They provide psychotherapy using a variety of evidence-based techniques and may specialize in specific modalities such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, or humanistic therapy.

- Psychologists are usually in school for 4+ years to obtain their doctorate. They engage in clinical training during school. The complete a one year full time internship to complete their doctoral training. Upon obtaining their degree, many complete a post-doctoral fellowship in a specialized area of training.

The process in total can take 6+ years of training and education.

Psychiatrists: Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illnesses. They are trained in both the biological and psychological aspects of mental health and can prescribe medication. While some psychiatrists primarily focus on medication management, many also provide psychotherapy.

- Psychiatrist attend 4 years of medical school and an additional 4 years of psychiatry residency (specialty training).

Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW): LCSWs have a two-year master's degree in social work (MSW) and are licensed to provide therapy and other mental health services. They assess and treat individuals, families, and groups from a social and environmental perspective, often focusing on issues such as relationships, community resources, and social justice.

Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs): LPCs have a two-year master's degrees in counseling or a related field and are trained to provide psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families. They may specialize in areas such as addiction counseling, marriage and family therapy, or trauma counseling.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs): MFTs have two-year master's degrees in marriage and family therapy or a related field and are trained to work with couples and families to address relationship issues, communication problems, and family dynamics.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs): Psychiatric nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced training in mental health care. They assess, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders and may provide psychotherapy, prescribe medication, and coordinate care with other healthcare providers.

*if you see AMSW, AMFT or psychological associate/post doctoral fellow in the state of California - these are providers that are working towards collecting hours towards licensure after they completed their education. They are not fully licensed clinicians in the state that they are practicing in and are working under someone else's license.

There are a ton of different therapy options at various price brackets and through different platforms. Making the decision on starting therapy involves emotional, time and financial investments. Here are some reasons why you might benefit from seeing a doctoral level psychologist over another professional in the field.

Reasons to See a Psychologist:

Treatment of a broader Range of Psychological Issues:

Psychologists are trained to deal with a wide variety of psychological issues, including mental health disorders that can present with more intense symptoms.

Assessment and Diagnosis:

Psychologists have been trained in conducting and integrating psychological testing and assessments, which can be crucial for diagnosing conditions and planning treatment.

I utilize assessment based data collection if my client is interested to monitor progress more closely.

Research-Based Interventions:

Psychologists may use a variety of evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and others in their treatment.

Advanced Training:

Psychologists typically have a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD), which involves extensive training in therapy, assessment, research, and clinical practice. Psychologists often engage in more intensive training than many LMFT, LCSWs, etc.

In addition to my years of training while in my doctoral program. I have specialized training in treating intense emotional struggles through my years of experience working in DBT programs. I have also done additional training (90 hours of human sexuality training, 60 hours of sex therapy training and, 300 hours of supervised clinical hours in sex therapy). I am LEVEL 1 Emotionally Focused Therapy trained in addition to being trained in EMDR for over 10 years.

Due to advanced training, a psychologist may be better equipped to navigate more complex presenting issues and concerns.

Evidence-based psychotherapy refers to therapeutic approaches that have been systematically researched and shown to be effective in treating specific mental health conditions or problems. These approaches are grounded in scientific evidence derived from rigorous research studies, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), meta-analyses, and systematic reviews.

For a psychotherapy to be considered evidence-based, it typically needs to meet several criteria:

• Empirical Support: There is empirical evidence from well-designed research studies demonstrating the effectiveness of the therapy for a particular mental health issue. This evidence often includes RCTs comparing the therapy to control conditions or other established treatments.

• Consistency of Findings: Multiple studies, conducted by different researchers and in different settings, consistently demonstrate positive outcomes associated with the therapy. This helps establish the reliability and generalizability of the treatment effects.

• Clinical Guidelines: The therapy is endorsed and recommended by professional organizations, such as the American Psychological Association (APA) or the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), based on the available evidence.

• Transparency and Replicability: The therapy's techniques and procedures are clearly defined and described in manuals or treatment protocols, allowing other therapists to replicate the intervention with fidelity.

• Long-Term Effects: There is evidence supporting the therapy's effectiveness not only in the short term but also in promoting sustained improvements in symptoms and functioning over time.

Examples of evidence-based psychotherapies include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Emotionally Focused Therapy, among others. These therapies have been extensively studied and shown to be effective for various mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and substance use disorders.

Using evidence-based psychotherapies ensures that clients receive treatments that have a strong foundation in scientific research and are likely to produce meaningful and lasting improvements in their mental health and well-being.

No, I am not a medication prescriber.

Psychologists in the state of California do not prescribe medication.

I work closely with many trusted psychiatrists (M.D. or D.O) and nurse practitioners (NP) and can provide you a referral if needed.

My fees for individual and couples therapy are in line with those of other empirically-trained doctoral-level practitioners with advanced training in California.

Payment is due at the time of service. I use a HIPPA compliment platform called IVY pay that allows you to use a credit card, FSA or HSA card on your account.

Therapy requires an investment of both time and financial resources. I understand that these commitments can be challenging to balance, especially in difficult times. If you are considering working with me, please feel free to reach out for more information about my fee structure.

Click HERE to contact me for more information.

This practice is not in contract with any insurance panels. *

Many PPO insurance plans offer some out-of-network coverage. However, plans vary widely. Your insurance company will know more about your specific plan.

If your insurance does include out-of-network coverage, I can provide a superbill for you to submit for reimbursement after sessions.

I can also provide you Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes ahead of talking to your insurance company if that would be helpful.

• When contacting insurance, be sure to ask the following questions:

  • What is my deductible and has it been met this year?

    • Deductibles start in different months depending on your plan

  • What is the coverage amount per therapy session for an out-of-network psychologist? What percentage of the cost will be covered?

    • Note: some plans say they cover 50% of the cost - but the cost they are willing to compensate for is $90 per session. As such, you would only receive $45 reimbursement even if the session cost is higher.

  • Do I need a particular diagnosis for reimbursement?

  • Are telehealth appointments reimbursed at the same rate of in person sessions?

*I see Cigna patients through my group practice at The Clinic. I am currently not accepting new Cigna clients as of 5/1/2024. Please reach out to me if you are interested in being added to my waitlist.

At this time my practice is exclusively virtual.

I am based in the San Francisco Bay Area and enjoy meeting with individuals and couples virtually throughout the state of California.

I use a secure HIPPA compliment telehealth platform for all video sessions.

Clients must be located in the state of California when logging into sessions.

See a research article on the efficacy of telehealth HERE

In the beginning of treatment, therapy is most effective when attended weekly.

Weekly therapy attendance is often considered important for several reasons:

• Consistency: Regular attendance ensures that therapy sessions occur frequently enough to maintain momentum and continuity in the therapeutic process. Consistency allows for deeper exploration of issues and more effective progress over time.

• Building Trust and Rapport: Attending therapy sessions weekly fosters a strong therapeutic alliance between the therapist and the client. Trust and rapport are essential for the client to feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, feelings, and experiences openly.

• Monitoring Progress: Weekly attendance allows the therapist to closely monitor the client's progress and make timely adjustments to the treatment plan as needed. It provides opportunities to assess changes in symptoms, behaviors, and emotions over time.

• Skill Development: For certain therapeutic modalities, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or Gottman Method to couples regular attendance is crucial for practicing and reinforcing newly learned skills. The consistent application of therapeutic techniques leads to greater mastery and effectiveness in managing challenges.

• Accountability: Weekly therapy attendance holds the client accountable for their commitment to the therapeutic process. It reinforces the importance of prioritizing mental health and self-care, even when facing other demands or challenges in life.

We might collaboratively make the decision to transition to every other week sessions if you would benefit from more time between sessions to utilize skills and apply themes learned in session. Monthly maintenance might be appropriate when you have you have met therapeutic goals and still want to stay connected.

Therapy duration varies based on your individual/couples goals and degree of engagement in the therapeutic process.

Therapy can be relatively brief lasting a 5-8 sessions (acute single incident EMDR treatment, CBTi), a few months, or as long as a few years.

All of my clients start on a weekly cadence. We might collaboratively make the decision to transition to every other week or monthly maintenance treatment when you have met therapeutic goals but still want to stay connected.

Some of my clients come and go from my practice based on life circumstances and need.

Others end treatment when they feel that they have met their goals.

Therapy is a very personal process and it's natural to wonder whether it's the right fit for you. Here are a few key indicators that suggest you're on the right path:

• Comfort and Connection: Feeling comfortable with your therapist is essential. A good fit often involves a sense of connection and trust, where you feel heard, understood, and respected. Pay attention to how you feel during your sessions and whether you feel safe and supported.

• Progress and Improvement: Therapy is a collaborative process aimed at fostering personal growth and overcoming challenges. Notice any positive changes or insights you experience over time. While progress may not always be linear, a sense of movement towards your goals is a positive sign.

• Alignment with Goals: Reflect on whether the therapy aligns with your goals and needs. Are you working towards addressing specific issues or achieving certain outcomes? If the therapy approach and techniques resonate with you and support your objectives, it's likely a good fit.

• Feedback and Communication: Effective therapy involves open and honest communication between you and your therapist. If you feel comfortable expressing your thoughts, feelings, and concerns, and your therapist responds with empathy and understanding, it's a positive sign of a therapeutic alliance.

• Empowerment and Agency: Therapy should empower you to take charge of your life and make meaningful changes. Notice whether you feel more empowered, self-aware, and equipped with coping skills to navigate challenges outside of therapy sessions.

Ultimately, trust your instincts and intuition when evaluating whether therapy is the right fit for you. If you have any doubts or concerns, don't hesitate to discuss them with me (or the therapist you choose) openly.

Remember that finding the right therapy may involve some trial and error, but prioritizing your well-being is always worth it.

In our couples therapy sessions, it's important to understand that I cannot change either of you as individuals.

Change is something that comes from within and is deeply personal.

However, what we can do together is work to illuminate the patterns and dynamics that occur in your relationship. By bringing these to light, my goal is to help you both build empathy and understanding for each other. This increased empathy and the new insights you both gain can create a closer connection between you, which in turn can facilitate the changes you both hope to see.

The process is collaborative and requires commitment from both of you in and out of session.

I understand that life can sometimes present unexpected challenges that may require adjustments to your scheduled therapy appointments. However, to ensure the smooth functioning of my practice and to respect both of our time, I have a 48-hour cancellation policy.

Cancellation or Rescheduling:

If you need to cancel or reschedule a therapy session, I kindly ask that you provide at least 48 hours' notice. This allows me the opportunity to offer the appointment slot to another client who may be in need of support.

Late Cancellations or Missed Appointments:

In the event of a late cancellation (within the 48-hour window) or a missed appointment, the full session fee will be charged. I understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise, and I am committed to being flexible and understanding when appropriate. Please don't hesitate to reach out to discuss your situation further.

My Commitment to You:

Your therapy journey is important to me, and I are dedicated to providing you with the support and guidance you need to achieve your goals. I appreciate your understanding and cooperation regarding my cancellation policy, as it helps me maintain the quality of care I strive to deliver.

If you have any questions or concerns about our cancellation policy, please feel free to contact me.

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” that outlines the anticipated costs of therapy services.

The below items are included in the good faith estimate:

• Therapist's fees per session

• The number of sessions expected

• Any additional fees or expenses

• An estimate of the total cost of treatment.

This document is designed to help clients understand the financial aspects of therapy and make informed decisions about their mental health care. It also promotes transparency and clarity in the therapeutic relationship by ensuring that clients are aware of the financial commitment involved in therapy before beginning treatment.

If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.

For more information visit CMS.gov or call (800) 368-1019.