FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I am a fee-for-service provider and will provide a quote for my services based on your Thumbtack request. I have selected spots in my practice for clients who need a sliding scale based on limited income. You are welcome to pay for your sessions with a credit card, check, or cash.I’m an out-of-network provider for all insurance companies; however, many insurance companies will reimburse some percentage of your therapy directly to you. I am happy to facilitate that process for you. It’s a good idea to call your insurance company to find out if they reimburse psychotherapy. I will provide you with the specific type of bill or receipt that your insurance company requires. You submit that form and then the insurance company will reimburse you as covered.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I offer a free 30 minute phone consultation so we can determine goodness of fit and how psychotherapy can be helpful to you. In the first session we explore what’s most important to you. I wonder about what brings you to therapy at this time? How would you like to see your life differently? I also conduct a diagnostic assessment so I know how to best support you in therapy. I will facilitate by asking questions about your present and past. Because I approach treatment from a holistic perspective I am curious about many aspects of your life, such as factors that contribute to or erode psychological, physical, social, and spiritual health. Seeing the “forest through the trees,” or being able to gain a broad perspective will help me understand what may be most helpful in our work together. You will notice I make observations throughout session and ask insightful questions. I may make predictions or interpretations. I will ask your thoughts and feelings about all sorts of things. Occasionally, I will ask your feedback about our work together so I can best meet your needs. I will teach skills and provide specific instructions as needed. I frequently make recommendations about things to do or ideas to consider between sessions. You will find I am kind, calm, reliable, have healthy boundaries, and I am able to hold people in their pain as well as share in their delight. Also, sometimes people want to know about their therapist’s personal life. I only share this kind of information when I believe personal disclosure will positively affect treatment, and I only share with your permission. Therapy is for your benefit and the time is about you and your life.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I earned a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) in clinical psychology. I approach therapy from a holistic perspective, considering psychological, biological, social, and spiritual factors. My specific training is in evidenced-based treatments such as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (MCBT), Dialectical Behavior therapy (DBT), and Psychodynamic Theory. These treatment approaches give me a wide range of skills to effectively treat almost any presenting mental health problem. I regularly attend training seminars and consultation groups to stay up-to-date with the latest techniques and clinical research. I am licensed to practice in California PSY#25546 and Oregon PSY#2603.