Frequently Asked Questions

We welcome people of all backgrounds and enjoy working with a diverse clientele. Choosing a therapist or making the decision to begin therapy is a courageous, important, and often difficult decision. Finding a therapist with whom you connect, who makes you feel comfortable, who you trust, and who is compassionate and capable of conveying a deep sense of understanding and respect, is essential.

How do I start?

We offer a free 20-minute phone consultation to talk together about your specific situation and needs and address any initial questions you may have. You can contact us HERE to set up a time to talk. Please let us know some good times to call you back.

If you’d like to move forward after we talk by phone, we will then meet in person or via tele-health for an initial session. At our first session, we’ll talk more in depth about you, your situation, your hopes for therapy, and begin to explore some steps forward.

We do both however in-office visits are limited by the latest COVID-19 local, state or federal orders or guidelines. We are currently able to see patients residing in CA, NY, MASS. and FL. We also see patients who are abroad after checking with the local licensing bodies of that country. Please check in if you have questions as this is a constantly changing landscape.

Our fees are comparable with other East Bay clinicians with similar experience. Please call or email to discuss our current rates. We accept payment in the form of cash, check, or HSA/credit/debit cards.

We are currently only contracted with UC SHIP however, many PPOs offer some coverage for out-of-network mental health providers. Also, mental health services are typically covered by most pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) or Health Spending Accounts (HSAs). We are able to provide you with monthly statements that you may submit to your insurance company or spending accounts manager for reimbursement. Please feel free to contact us with questions or to discuss how we can get started.

The length of therapy varies depending on the nature of the issues that bring you in, the intensity of your symptoms, events that take place during the course of therapy and the goals you set. It is likely that you will experience some sense of relief or increased hope early in the treatment however therapy deepens with time. Longer therapy treatments usually focus on changing long-standing patterns of behavior and relationships. During the first few meetings, the frequency of sessions will be discussed as finding a pace that is manageable for you is important. The pace may vary during different phases of treatment and will continually be assessed in relation to your goals and progress.

While it has been shown that medications alone are not as effective as psychotherapy, or as medication and psychotherapy together, sometime in the course of your treatment medication might be an option you wish to explore. In that case I can recommend a psychiatrist with whom we will collaborate with during the process. If you are currently under a doctor’s care, we will discuss the best way to coordinate services.

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Focuses on your present thoughts, feelings and difficulties as being a function of earlier life experiences. Creating a safe environment through supportive listening and empathy will enable you to become aware of what you learned growing up which helps you to make more conscious decisions in the present. In addition, our early life experiences shape our current beliefs and ways of relating to others. Together, through the therapeutic relationship, you examine the complexities of your interpersonal relationships to give you the opportunity to see and understand them differently

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

DBT is based on the idea of acceptance and change. It is a skills based approach used to give people alternative strategies when they are struggling with intense emotions, interpersonal difficulties, or general feelings of emotional imbalance. The skills fall into four categories: distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, emotional regulation, and acceptance.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) was developed in tandem with the science of adult attachment, a profound developmental theory of personality and intimate relationships. This science has expanded our understanding of individual dysfunction and health as well as the nature of love relationships and family bonds. Attachment views human beings as innately relational, social and wired for intimate bonding with others. The EFT model prioritizes emotion and emotional regulation as the key organizing agents in individual experience and key relationship interactions.

The Gottman Method

The Gottman Method is an approach to couples therapy that includes a thorough assessment of the couple’s relationship and integrates research-based interventions. The goals of Gottman Method Couples Therapy are to disarm conflicting verbal communication; increase intimacy, respect, and affection; remove barriers that create a feeling of stagnancy; and create a heightened sense of empathy and understanding within the context of the relationship.

Under the ‘No Surprises Act’ you have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate (GFE)” explaining how much your health care will cost.

According to the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

  • You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
  • Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or 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.