FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I consider seeing a therapist?
Therapy is about helping you get the most out of your life. It is a time to drop your defenses and get real in a safe, confidential space. Your relationship with your therapist is different from talking to a friend because your therapist isn't invested in your day-to-day life. Therapists hold a space for you to explore what's best for you. Also, certain therapy techniques such as EMDR can help effectively resolve trauma and are only available from trained professionals.
How often will I attend sessions? How long does therapy take?
My clients typically attend therapy sessions once a week or once every other week. The duration of therapy is different for everyone, depending on the situation. This is something we will discuss throughout your therapy experience.
How long is a session? What is your schedule?
Sessions are typically 50 minutes long. My availability is Monday through Thursday. Please feel free to contact me for more information.
What will my first session be like?
We will spend the first session getting to know each other, talking about the therapeutic process, and discussing your concerns. I also will explain more about EMDR therapy and answer any questions you may have about EMDR or therapy in general.
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a proven therapy that helps clients process distressing memories and trauma. Sometimes traumatic memories from childhood can get "stuck" in the brain, with the same images, sounds, smells, or other sensations. In other words, something that happened years ago can feel like it's still happening right now. EMDR can help process these memories and move them through the brain so they no longer cause distress. You don't forget the memory, but it no longer has such a negative effect on your life. You can learn more about EMDR here. Or contact me for more information.
How do I make an appointment?
Please feel free to contact me and we can see how I may best help you. I am currently seeing clients virtually in California and Montana, and in person at my office in San Diego. I am also happy to offer appropriate referrals to other therapists if needed.
What is your fee?
My fee is $150 per session. I accept checks or credit cards, including HSA debit cards. I also offer a limited number of discounted fees based on need; please feel free to contact me for more information.
Do you accept health insurance?
I do not accept insurance. One of the reasons is to ensure confidentiality — your insurance company need not know about your therapy sessions. If you like, however, I can offer a "superbill" (receipt) for you to submit to insurance. You may qualify to receive partial reimbursement if you have out-of-network benefits through a PPO insurance plan (not HMO); please check with your insurance company for confirmation.
What is the 'No Surprises' Act of 2022?
Under the No Surprises Act, you have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost.
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients 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.
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, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
Therapy is about helping you get the most out of your life. It is a time to drop your defenses and get real in a safe, confidential space. Your relationship with your therapist is different from talking to a friend because your therapist isn't invested in your day-to-day life. Therapists hold a space for you to explore what's best for you. Also, certain therapy techniques such as EMDR can help effectively resolve trauma and are only available from trained professionals.
How often will I attend sessions? How long does therapy take?
My clients typically attend therapy sessions once a week or once every other week. The duration of therapy is different for everyone, depending on the situation. This is something we will discuss throughout your therapy experience.
How long is a session? What is your schedule?
Sessions are typically 50 minutes long. My availability is Monday through Thursday. Please feel free to contact me for more information.
What will my first session be like?
We will spend the first session getting to know each other, talking about the therapeutic process, and discussing your concerns. I also will explain more about EMDR therapy and answer any questions you may have about EMDR or therapy in general.
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a proven therapy that helps clients process distressing memories and trauma. Sometimes traumatic memories from childhood can get "stuck" in the brain, with the same images, sounds, smells, or other sensations. In other words, something that happened years ago can feel like it's still happening right now. EMDR can help process these memories and move them through the brain so they no longer cause distress. You don't forget the memory, but it no longer has such a negative effect on your life. You can learn more about EMDR here. Or contact me for more information.
How do I make an appointment?
Please feel free to contact me and we can see how I may best help you. I am currently seeing clients virtually in California and Montana, and in person at my office in San Diego. I am also happy to offer appropriate referrals to other therapists if needed.
What is your fee?
My fee is $150 per session. I accept checks or credit cards, including HSA debit cards. I also offer a limited number of discounted fees based on need; please feel free to contact me for more information.
Do you accept health insurance?
I do not accept insurance. One of the reasons is to ensure confidentiality — your insurance company need not know about your therapy sessions. If you like, however, I can offer a "superbill" (receipt) for you to submit to insurance. You may qualify to receive partial reimbursement if you have out-of-network benefits through a PPO insurance plan (not HMO); please check with your insurance company for confirmation.
What is the 'No Surprises' Act of 2022?
Under the No Surprises Act, you have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost.
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients 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.
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, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
