Frequently Asked Questions

When you’re overwhelmed by a crisis or have too much stress.

If you’d like a neutral and objective perspective. When you’re seeking a new approach to dealing with old problems.

If you’re confused about what to do or worried you’ll make matters worse. When your health, well-being, job, or relationship is in jeopardy.

Or if you’d simply like to become a calmer, happier person.

People often use these terms interchangeably, and they’re really more similar than different.

The basic difference as I see it is that counseling usually means a fairly brief intervention that is focused on a particular problem or situation, whereas psychotherapy typically refers to a longer-term and more in-depth exploration of underlying beliefs and patterns of thinking and behaving.

My clinical style is individualized, holistic, and present-focused, incorporating psychodynamic theory, cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, and neuroscience research.

Clients generally find me to be kind, gentle, thoughtful, and non-judgmental. I have a sense of humor and believe in the healing power of laughter (as well as tears).

I take an active role in the counseling process, asking lots of questions to make sure that I understand correctly, and giving feedback about what I see and hear.

I enjoy meeting and working with people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, including BIPOC individuals, and I respect my clients’ personal values, religious beliefs, and gender identity. 

Clients often ask me this question.

An LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) is a mental health professional who has had at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical training after receiving a master’s degree from an accredited school of social work.

LCSWs don’t do psychological testing, nor can we prescribe medication. We tend to have more training in community mental health and medical settings than marriage and family therapists.

I passed both written and oral exams to become licensed and must attend 30 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain my license (plus additional coursework for my BCD credential).

If you are considering therapy for the first time, or if you’ve been dissatisfied with previous therapy experiences, you may be wondering how to find the “right” therapist for you.

Because I regard this decision as an important one, I encourage you to call me to discuss your concerns. I’ll tell you if I think I can help with your particular situation.

You can decide whether to schedule a session and if you feel comfortable with me, we’ll continue; if not, I will offer the names of other therapists who may be a better fit for you.

My fees for individual therapy, couples counseling, and consultation vary.

A typical session costs $165, which includes 45-50 minutes of meeting together, and time for my notes and record-keeping afterward. Thirty or ninety-minute sessions can also be scheduled.

Payment is due at the beginning of each session. In addition to cash and personal checks, I accept credit, debit, and HSA cards via a mobile app called IvyPay, which is similar to Venmo but designed by and for therapists, so it’s HIPAA-compliant.

I am a provider on these EAP and health insurance panels: Anthem Blue Cross of CA, Claremont, CONCERN, Lyra, and Medicare.

If you have a different health insurance plan that offers out-of-network benefits, I can provide a statement or superbill for you to submit for reimbursement.

You are responsible for verifying your insurance benefits, deductibles, and copays.

As of March 2020, I have been conducting therapy and coaching sessions, as well as mindfulness groups, via telehealth. I offer video sessions through a HIPAA-compliant service, as well as regular phone calls without video.

Medicare and most private health insurers have relaxed their coverage restrictions to also cover therapy sessions via regular phone calls, so clients are welcome to choose either phone or video.

And as of June 2020, I am also conducting in-person sessions upon request for clients who are fully vaccinated against COVID.