How do I schedule an appointment?

You can schedule your first complimentary consultation for either Therapy or Coaching services by contacting me here.

What happens during the complimentary consultation?

I will contact you by phone or Skype for the initial 15-minute consultation.  We will discuss what your goals are, and whether therapy or coaching would best serve you. The first consultation is also a time for us both to discover whether we are a good fit. I will answer any other questions you might have, as well as discuss fees and scheduling. Should we decide to move forward with an initial appointment, we will be sure to exchange necessary information.

What's your cancellation policy?

For Therapy and Coaching Sessions: If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please call within 48 hours of your scheduled appointment time. The full fee for the appointment will be due if missed or cancelled with less than 48 hours in advance.

What is your payment policy?

Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted for payment. Payment is due at the beginning of the session or at the time that services are rendered. Payments are due 24 hours prior to the commencement of Skype and/or phone sessions.

Can I meet with you over the phone or Skype?

I provide phone or Skype counseling or life coaching sessions. While I work with English speaking women throughout France, UK, and the world- I am only licensed to provide counseling services to individuals in California. Learn more about coaching and counseling. 

What are your fees?

For individual and couples therapy, my fees are as follows:
$250 USD per 50 minute session

Is therapy right for me?

Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. People seek out therapy for many reasons: communication blocks, relational discord, conflict, fears, anxiety, sadness, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and major life transitions.

Many people benefit from therapy because it helps them take responsibility, create greater self-awareness, and work towards change in their lives.

Does therapy mean that there's something wrong with me?

Absolutely not! Everyone goes through life’s normal ups and downs. We all experience painful difficult situations in life, and there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support. If you're feeling stigmatized for wanting to start therapy, I like to remind people that therapy can be for those who have enough self-awareness to realize they would like a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy.

You may also find that a supportive objective professional can help you discover how you can be the best you, and thrive in all your relationships more easily. Therapy can help you learn how to have healthier relationships, and live a more meaningful and satisfying life. 

How can therapy help me? 

The benefits you obtain from therapy may depend on how you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

• Coming to understanding yourself better, and clarify your goals and values

• Developing skills for maintaining healthier relationships

• Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety

• Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures

• Improving communication and listening skills

• Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones

• Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage

• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

What is therapy like? 

Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. It is standard for therapists to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. Commonly, people schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts 50 minutes.

I believe therapy can be most effective when you are an active participant, both during and between the sessions. There may be times when you are asked to do "homework" – to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as monitoring the behaviors you want to change, or reading a specific book/article. This "homework" can help you process what we discuss in session and really integrate it into your life between sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect out of therapy:

• Compassion, respect and understanding

• Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings

• Real strategies for enacting positive change

• Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance

Is medication a substitute for therapy? 

In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you.

It is well established, that medication alone may not be a long-term solution to changing the behaviors and situations that we want to heal. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy help us look at the root causes of  distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.

Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?

If you have PPO insurance and have met your deductible, a portion of your fee may be eligible for reimbursement. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I will provide you with a receipt or a "super bill" that you can send to your insurance that may be used to seek reimbursement. Please check with your insurance carrier to verify your "out-of-network mental health benefits."

If you need help navigating the system, I'd be glad to contact your insurance company with you.

Is therapy confidential?

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.

However, there are some lega exceptions to this rule. Exceptions include:

• Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.

• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.

• If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.

What is coaching?

A coach serves as your partner in self-discovery, personal growth, goal-setting and goal-reaching.  The goal is to help you discover within yourself the beliefs or issues that are blocking you from getting all you want out of life, and to help elicit from within you your own best solutions or new ways of being to live more of the life you want to live.

What is the difference between coaching and therapy?

Both coaching and therapy can help you achieve your personal goals, but there are some key differences between the two.

1. In the therapy setting we have therapist/patient privilege such that all communications, including the mere fact that you are a client, are kept strictly confidential (This is subject to certain legal exceptions, which you can read about above).

2. As a coaching client, while my policy is to keep what is said in our sessions confidential, the fact that you are a client is not confidential and there are no strict legal requirements for confidentiality. Again, it is my policy to keep what we discussed in confidence.

3. If you are a coaching client only, I am not your therapist and will not be providing any psychotherapy. During the treatment, I may recommend that you engage a therapist. If this situation arises, we will discuss your options at that time.

I will help you make the determination between becoming a coaching client or a therapy client in our first call.