Questions People Actually Ask

If something in your life keeps repeating, anxiety, the same relationship pattern, a stuck feeling you can't think your way out of, therapy is worth trying. You don't need a crisis or a diagnosis to benefit. Most of my clients are functioning fine on the outside; they come because "fine" stopped being enough.

Research consistently shows the relationship with your therapist matters more than any specific technique, which is why I offer a free 15-minute consultation before anything else. We'll talk briefly about what's bringing you in, you can ask me anything, and you'll get a feel for how I work. If I'm not the right fit, I'll do my best to point you toward someone who is.

Mostly, we talk. I'll ask about what's bringing you in, your history, and what you want to be different, and you can go at your own pace; nothing has to be shared before you're ready. By the end, we'll usually have an initial sense of the patterns worth working on and what our goals might be. Most people leave the first session feeling relieved that it wasn't as intimidating as they expected.

It depends on what we're working on. Some clients come with a focused goal and feel finished in a few months; others use therapy for deeper, longer-term work. We'll check in regularly about progress, and as symptoms ease and things feel more manageable, we'll figure out together when it makes sense to step down to a lower frequency. Ending well, or easing off gradually, is part of the work, not an awkward exit.

Yes. What you share in therapy is confidential and protected by federal law (HIPAA) and by the laws of California, Arizona, and Utah. Information is not released without your written authorization, except in limited situations where the law requires or permits disclosure. These include:

• Suspected abuse or neglect of a child, which therapists are required to report in all three states.
• Suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an elder or dependent/vulnerable adult, which therapists are required to report in all three states.
• A serious threat of physical violence against an identifiable person. In that situation, the law requires or permits the therapist to take protective steps, which may include notifying the potential victim and law enforcement.
• A risk of serious harm to yourself. Your therapist may take steps necessary to keep you safe, which can include contacting emergency services or supports.
• A valid court order requiring disclosure of records or testimony.
• Information needed to obtain payment from your health plan (such as diagnosis and dates of service), if you use insurance.

These limits exist to protect safety, and we can talk about any of them at any time. The complete description is in the Notice of Privacy Practices.

Sessions are $200, and I'm in-network with Blue Shield. For other plans, I provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement, and a limited number of sliding-scale spots are available. Full details, including exactly what insurance billing shares with your plan, are on the Rates & Insurance page. Coverage questions are welcome on the consultation call; helping people decode their benefits is something I'm genuinely good at.

Yes. I see clients in person at my Los Angeles office and online through secure, HIPAA-compliant video across California, Arizona, and Utah. You'll need to be physically located in one of those states at the time of your session. That's a licensing requirement, not a preference. Online sessions are the same 50-minute work; many clients find them easier to keep consistent.

Weekly, especially at the start. Consistency is what builds momentum. As you progress, some clients move to every other week. Sessions run about 50 minutes, depending on my clinical judgment.

I'll actually say something. My style is warm but engaged. I ask questions, offer observations, and teach concrete tools. I draw mainly from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and humanistic, insight-oriented work, and I often use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) interventions, along with experience in gestalt, solution-focused, and psychodynamic approaches. You bring the expertise on your life; I bring frameworks for understanding it and skills for changing it.

That's my job, not yours. Sessions don't require a prepared agenda. Some days you'll arrive knowing exactly what you need to work through; other days we'll start with "I don't know" and find it together. I'm not strictly manualized; I use whatever the session calls for, which is why an integrative approach matters to me. Sometimes we let catharsis do its work, sometimes I'll offer psychoeducation, and sometimes there's a specific intervention or worksheet that fits the moment. Not knowing where to start is one of the most common starting points there is.

Life happens. Just give me at least 24 hours' notice and we'll reschedule, no charge. Late cancellations and missed sessions are charged $100, since that time is reserved for you and insurance doesn't cover missed sessions. The full policy is on the Rates & Insurance page.

This practice isn't an emergency service, and messages through this website aren't monitored around the clock. If you're in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, please reach out right now: call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), call 911, or go to your nearest emergency room. Those supports exist for exactly this moment, and reaching out to them is the right move. Therapy can be part of what comes next.