Frequently Asked Questions
Getting started
How do we get started?
Here's what to expect:
- Free 15-minute phone consultation. A no-obligation call to see if we're a good fit and answer your questions.
- Your intake session. About 90 minutes to talk through your history, current challenges, and goals. Family work may need a bit more time.
- Questionnaires. Short questionnaires about how you're feeling, so we can see your progress over time.
- Your plan. After your intake, I create a personalized plan built around the goals you set.
How involved will I be as a parent?
I believe the whole family benefits from support, and I also protect your teen's privacy. What that looks like depends on your family. I do ask parents to help build the skills to support their kid, through parent support sessions, family therapy, or both.
Safety always comes first. At the start, I go over confidentiality with every family, including what I'm required to share and how we'll handle sensitive situations together.
Sessions and approach
What type of therapy do you offer?
I mainly use three approaches and blend them to fit you. CBT looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions connect. DBT builds skills for handling strong emotions. Process-oriented therapy makes room for feelings as they come up.
How long are sessions, and how long does therapy last?
Sessions are 50 minutes. How long therapy lasts depends on your goals, and we'll check in on progress along the way.
Do you offer in-person and virtual sessions?
Yes. In person at my Carmel office, or by secure video from anywhere in California.
What are your credentials?
I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #139930) with a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and a concentration in Health Psychology. I'm a member of CAMFT and trained in CBT, DBT, trauma-focused CBT, and process-oriented therapy. I've worked in community mental health, outpatient and day programs, and private practice.
Fees and insurance
What is the cost of therapy?
The intake includes reviewing your history and creating your plan.
Payments are made through my secure online billing system. I accept credit and debit cards, as well as most HSA and FSA cards.
Do you accept insurance?
I don't bill insurance directly. Each month I give you a receipt called a superbill that you can send to your insurance for possible reimbursement. It's worth asking them about your out-of-network mental health benefits, your deductible, and how many sessions are covered.
What is a Good Faith Estimate?
Under federal law, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of the expected cost of your care. If your bill ends up $400 or more above the estimate, you can dispute it.
Read the full notice
As of January 2022, you are entitled to receive a "Good Faith Estimate" of what the charges could be for psychotherapy services provided to you. While it is not possible for a psychotherapist to know, in advance, how many psychotherapy sessions may be necessary or appropriate for a given person, this form provides an estimate of the cost of services provided.
Your total cost of services will depend upon the number of psychotherapy sessions you attend, your individual circumstances, and the type and amount of services that are provided to you.
There may be additional items or services I may recommend as part of your care that must be scheduled or requested separately and are not reflected in this good faith estimate. This estimate is not a contract and does not obligate you to obtain any services from the provider(s) listed, nor does it include any services rendered to you that are not identified here.
The Good Faith Estimate does not include any unknown or unexpected costs that may arise during treatment. You could be charged more if complications or special circumstances occur. If this happens, federal law allows you to dispute (appeal) the bill.
You have the right to initiate a dispute resolution process if the actual amount charged to you substantially exceeds the estimated charges stated in your Good Faith Estimate (which means $400 or more beyond the estimated charges).
This Good Faith Estimate is not intended to serve as a recommendation for treatment or a prediction that you may need to attend a specified number of psychotherapy visits. The number of visits that are appropriate in your case, and the estimated cost for those services, depends on your needs and what you agree to in consultation with your therapist. You are entitled to disagree with any recommendations made to you concerning your treatment and you may discontinue treatment at any time.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate or the dispute process, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers or call 1-800-985-3059. The initiation of the client-provider dispute resolution process will not adversely affect the quality of the services furnished to you.
Still have questions?
I'm happy to answer them. Reach out anytime.