Frequently Asked Questions

How long do therapy sessions typically last?

Therapy sessions with me are 50 minutes long.

What happens during the first counseling session?

It's normal to be a bit (or a lot) anxious in anticipation of what to expect coming in for the first time. That's why I have written a detailed blog post about the first therapy session in Santa Rosa to answer your questions.

What’s your availability and how is scheduling done?

Currently, I am available Monday-Friday for new clients. This changes occasionally, so please call me to get my most up to date availability.

Once we decide I am a good fit as a therapist for you, I set aside a weekly appointment time that’s only yours - I won’t schedule anyone else during your reserved time. This allows us to keep consistent with our work together on a weekly basis to build momentum in making real, lasting change.

I know how important it is to get going with therapy when you’re ready. So, if my weekly time session slots do not work for you, I can refer you out to someone who may be able to better accommodate your scheduling needs. Once you’re an established client of mine, I’ll be sure to offer you new appointment times as they open up before opening these slots to new clients.

Can I see you in-person for therapy in Santa Rosa and Sonoma County?

Yes!

My office location is near downtown Santa Rosa for in-person therapy sessions.

What if I don't live in Sonoma County, can I still see you?

If you are in California, then yes! Telehealth (therapy over video or over phone) is offered to anyone residing in the state of California. If we are meeting over video, you will be given a secure link that is HIPPA complaint for a confidential, secure connection for our session together.

What if I'm unsure if video therapy will work for me?

I think most people have this concern when starting therapy over video. I usually suggest we give it a session or 2, without any long term commitment, see how you feel and go from there.

Most my clients end up finding it convenient and comfortable over time. Research backs that therapy over video is just as effective as therapy in-person.

But preferences matter, and if it feels uncomfortable to you, I can provide resources for therapists in your area if you'd like to be seen in-person.

How long will I need to come to counseling?

Your problems did not develop overnight, on the contrary, most my clients report the concerns that brought them into my office took months, sometimes years, to get to the point where they are at. If there was a quick and easy solution, you would have already found it! Change takes time and exploration.

That said, my clients find full benefit from psychotherapy services within 6-18 months. Of course, this depends and can range, some clients needing a longer length of treatment. I want my clients to feel confident living their lives without needing therapy once we are done with our work together.

Are sessions covered by my insurance?

I am out-of-network provider and do not directly bill insurance. I provide you with a "superbill," a detailed invoice that also includes diagnostic information that you may submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement.

I also offer a service called Thrizer to make getting reimbursements from your health isnurance hassle-free. Check out my detailed blog all about this topic: How to Get Insurance to Cover Out-of-Network Therapy Hassle-Free

I accept most credit cards and cash payments. You may also use your FSA (Flexible Spending Account) or HSA (Health Spending Account) accounts, including their payment cards, to pay for your sessions.

How do I seek reimbursement from my insurance company?

You have a couple different options to do this. I outline them in deatil here: How to Get Insurance to Cover Out-of-Network Therapy Hassle-Free

How much do sessions cost?

$200 for a 50-minute session.

Do you have evening appointments available?

Yes, I do see clients in the evening. My latest session is 5:30pm.

Do you offer couples counseling?

While I do specialize in relationship issues, I do not directly provide couples counseling. I can provide you great referrals for couples counseling with my colleagues if we decide that is the best next step for you.

Should I try individual counseling before couples counseling if my relationship is having problems?

I recommend my clients that are considering their options with therapy to schedule a phone consultation with me to discuss whether individual or couples counseling is most clinically appropriate for your unique situation.

Individual psychotherapy can help if you have noticed patterns in your relationships over time that cause problems for you (such as anger management, highly reactive emotional responses to your partner, difficulty with communication, etc.)

Some of my clients work with me individually while in couples counseling at the same time. I typically have regular consultations with your couples counselor so that we are working on the same goals and are aligned in our treatment plans.

I'm not currently in a relationship, can you still help me?

Yes, I often work with single people whether they are single and wanting to date, recovering from a previous relationship, or even just trying to figure out what types of connections and relationships might be right for them.

Do you see teens in your practice?

I do accept older teens (16+) into my practice on a case-by-case basis, so call me to discuss further. For my information on how I help teens, see my page for therapy with young adults.

How do I request a “Good Faith Estimate?”

Under the law, health care providers need to give clients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.

You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service, or at any time during treatment. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, or how to dispute a bill, see your Estimate, or visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.