Frequently Asked Questions
Do you take insurance?
I am classified as an out-of-network provider. If you have and would like to use your out-of-network insurance benefits, I can provide you with a receipt of services (called a Superbill) that you may submit to your insurance company for partial reimbursement. I recommend calling your insurance company in advance to verify out-of-network coverage for outpatient mental health services.
Please be aware that if your insurance provider is contributing financially to your treatment, they may have access to certain privileged information, including your diagnosis and treatment records, so that they can determine whether appropriate treatment is being provided. This diagnosis becomes part of your medical record, which can potentially affect your future ability to get life insurance or get a job where you regularly handle firearms. This is just something to take into consideration when you’re deciding whether or not you want to use your insurance to pay for your mental health services.
What is your fee?
My fee is $3.60/minute.
Initial Intake Session (90 minutes): $324
Individual Counseling Sessions (50 minutes): $180
Parent Coaching Sessions (50 minutes): $180
Family & Couple’s Therapy Sessions (60-90 minutes): $216-$324
Fee for sessions are due at the start of each session and are payable via cash, credit card or check.
Do you offer a sliding scale fee?
I do not currently offer a sliding scale at this time. If you need reduced fee therapy services, I recommend the following resources:
How long are sessions and how often will we meet?
The first session lasts 90 minutes in length to allow for sufficient time to get to know one another, review important policies and information, conduct a comprehensive assessment, and to discuss your goals for therapy and a plan to best support you.
After the first session, I generally meet weekly with individual therapy clients for 50 minute sessions. However, I always attune to the needs of each individual client and we can explore more frequent and/or longer sessions if more support is needed.
As therapy progresses and you have met your goals and are maintaining your progress, we will explore gradually reducing the frequency of sessions in order to prepare you for leaving the therapy nest, so-to-speak.
For couples therapy and family therapy, these sessions require more time and are scheduled for 60-90 minutes in length 1x/week. With families, there are often times when I meet with the parents and child(ren) separately, which could mean 2 sessions/week (one session with the child(ren) and a separate session with the parents).
What is your cancellation policy?
If an initial intake appointment is not cancelled with 48 hours advanced notice, a deposit will be required in order to reschedule and hold the second attempt at an intake appointment.
Do you also meet with the parent(s) of the teens you work with?
Yes, absolutely! I view parent involvement as an essential component of your teen’s treatment. Why? Because therapy is much more successful and lasting if both the parent(s) and their teen are changing together. I won’t always be in your teen’s life, but you will. Strengthening your relationship with your teen will have a positive, long-lasting impact long after I’m out of the picture. To that end, in addition to working individually with teens, I also provide family therapy and parent coaching sessions to support you and your teen improve communication, productively address hurts and grievances, build mutual respect and understanding, collaboratively problem-solve, and improve your connection with one another.
Do you tell me what my teen talks about in therapy?
Therefore, if I meet with your teen for individual or group therapy, (even if you are paying for their services) I will not disclose information to you without your teen’s consent unless I believe that your teen is a danger to themself or others. Not only is it important to allow your teen confidentiality, it is also legally their right to private and confidential communication with me as their therapist.
That’s not to say you will be completely out of the loop and uninvolved in your teen’s treatment. I encourage and strongly recommend parent involvement through family therapy sessions and parent coaching sessions. These provide opportunities where you and your teen can have open and honest conversations together in a safe space where I help to facilitate those discussions so they are successful and productive. It is ultimately much more valuable to you and your teen if I support and prepare you both to be able to have these conversations together directly rather then me just telling you something.
Do you work with children?
I don’t work with clients under the age of 15, but I know some good therapists who do. I would be happy to share some referrals with you for local child therapists, if that would be helpful.
Can you help me if I don't live in the San Francisco Bay Area?
Yes and no. For California residents who do not live near my office and wish to work with me, I also offer online counseling/therapy services via a secure web conferencing platform for individual therapy clients. For non-California residents, however, because I’m licensed in the state of California, that means I cannot provide therapy services to people living outside the state of California. I can and do, however, provide parent coaching sessions to parents living anywhere in the world. Please get in touch if you have questions and would like to inquire about working together.
Office Location
Castro Valley, CA 94546
Online Therapy Sessions
Contact
Contact
Office Location
Castro Valley, CA 94546
Online Therapy Sessions
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