Frequently Asked Questions

No, actually the majority of people I work with are just regular folks who have been blindsided by life with something they never expected, and that they don’t know how to deal with. For example, in my own life, my mother laid down for a nap one Saturday afternoon just a couple weeks before my 10th birthday, and never woke up. She was not quite 35 years old, but unknown to me suffered from a serious heart problem that probably took her life. Now did my reaction to her death make me “crazy”? Well, in retrospect I certainly was crazy with grief, and the kid I beat up for disrespecting my mother shortly after she died might well have argued that I needed to see a “shrink”--and now I’d probably agree! But that’s not the kind of “crazy” people usually are afraid of.

Most clients are struggling to deal with things that have tipped them off balance and they just need a little help getting back on their feet. Here are just a few examples:

• The unexpected death of someone close,

• An ugly releationship breakup,

• Loss of a job at the “worst” time,

• An injury that makes it impossible to return to a career you loved,

• The lingering effects of childhood emotional, physical, or sexual abuse,

• An assault or accident that left you sure you were going to die,

• Memories of a nasty firefight on deployment when you lost buddies who were as close as brothers and sisters.

  The list of possible crises that can overwhelm any one of us is endless. But, with a little support and guidance, most of us can regain our balance and get back to our normal life—or at least back to what is likely to be our “new normal.”

I’d be happy to translate if you have a question, but we speak English in my sessions! Like in any job or profession, mental health professionals do use a specialized language to talk about the finer points of the work we do, but there’s no reason others should be expected to understand it. I appreciate the value of those distinctions when talking to other professionals or arguing with insurance companies. (As we work together you’ll pick up anything that’s useful for you to know.)

But when we meet, we’ll be speaking English. As long as we can understand each other through the filters of our various dialects and first languages, we’re good! If we can’t, we’ll find someone to translate or find you someone who better understands you.

When you decide to work with me you’ll be asked to create a login to my online client portal, then request an appointment time that fits your schedule. I confirm that the appointment is available and you receive confirmation. Online sessions are scheduled in advance through a secure HIPAA-compliant medical records system. You are automatically reminded of your appointment by text and email the day before and 15 minutes before the start of your session. Using your computer or smartphone, you click a link in the reminder message to open a confidential, encrypted window—similar to Zoom—connecting you to your session. I will meet you there and confirm that we have a good connection, that both camera and sound are working, and the session then proceeds. The session is ended by the click of a button, closing the window.

In a word, “Yes.” Of course there are trade-offs with both formats, but the research comparisons that have been published so far indicate that responsibly delivered online therapy is as effective overall as in-person treatment. Online services are making it possible for many people to get treatment that is not easily available in their area, and reduces the added stress of travel, finding childcare and parking, and the time involved in attending a session. For patients with medical problems or other special needs, not having to travel can make all the difference. For some, the added confidentiality of not being “seen” entering a doctor’s office is reassuring. Working remotely also allows doctors to provide more flexible hours and better meet patient needs.

If you are concerned about whether or not online service is a good choice for you, call and let’s discuss your concerns. I’ll help you weigh the alternatives and make a decision that is right for you.

During the first session my focus will be on getting to know you and the problem that you are trying to solve, answering any questions you have about me, and discussing a focus for our work together. I generally ask people to describe in their own words “what brought you in”, answer any initial questions you may have, then listen, take some notes, and ask a few follow-up questions to ensure I understand what’s bothering you. We begin defining what we are going to work on, how often and when we will meet, and go over any questions you have about my office policies or other concerns you need me to address.

Prior to the first session you should receive an intake packet through my online patient portal—much like you would receive on your first in-person visit to the office. These forms can be filled out and signed online, which reduces the time we need to spend in session getting that basic information.

As you can imagine, each patient and each treatment episode varies in length. However I am very aware of the investment of time, energy, and money that therapy requires, and I work with each patient in setting goals and making decisions about the direction and timing of their treatment. Although many patients meet with me weekly, “this is not television” and I have no predetermined schedule that I expect every patient to follow. For both clinical and financial reasons, as well as your availability, appointments may be spread out over longer periods of time, and patients sometimes take “breaks” to work on “homework” or handle other personal matters. My concern is that you benefit from the investment you are making in yourself, and we will decide together how best to accomplish that. Interestingly, unless something has happened to disrupt treatment, it has been my experience that patients usually can sense when they have achieved what they came for and our discussions shift to preparing for discharge by mutual agreement.

I currently offer online services to patients throughout California.

At this time I do not offer in-person sessions.

I charge $200 per 50-60 minute session, payable at the time of service by Zelle or check. If I am a participating provider on your insurance, you will be responsible for your co-payment at the time of each session. If my services are covered as an out-of-network provider, I will provide a monthly “superbill” you can use to claim reimbursement. Please check with your insurance company to confirm coverage for my services.