FAQs

Are you considering seeking therapy, but are unsure whether it's necessary or the right choice for you? If certain issues have been causing tension or difficulty in your life, and you aren't sure what to do or how to make the necessary changes, therapy can help. If you have been feeling dissatisfied, down, depressed, worry a lot, or are not caring for yourself, therapy can be beneficial.

Dealing with your problems with the help of a professional can get you out of that rut, and into a more productive pattern. Almost anyone who is struggling in any area of their life can benefit from seeking professional help from the right therapist.

The benefits of therapy really depend on the difficulties you or your family are experiencing. For individuals, there a number of different ways, by helping you understand your emotional difficulties, change disruptive or damaging behaviors, modify long-standing patterns in life, or develop specific skills for dealing with problems, coping, anger expression, among others.

Many individuals experience anxiety, depression, or misuse substances. These issues are very common and therapy can help you learn new ways to manage your thinking and your behavior that will help you handle these problems. In addition, there are a wide variety of other challenges that can be very difficult, including chronic disorders and personality disorders. Therapy with the right professional can help diagnose and treat those as well.

Family Therapy involves having all the members living in the home participate in and attend the sessions. While each situation is different, a typical first step involves assessing the strengths in the family and building on areas that may need strengthening. Families can struggle with a wide variety of issues including dealing with developing children that are having problems with grades, behavior problems, substance abuse by a teenager or an adult in the family, relocating, or starting a new phase of school life.

I believe in empowering parents to be in charge of the family and helping couples acquire new tools to do so. New communication skills are taught to help each member of a family express their needs and learn how to listen to the other members within the family. If necessary, I can facilitate individualized cognitive assessment and neuropsychological testing to determine if there are learning disabilities or attention difficulties. The overall goal is to help you and your family achieve improved functioning and a more satisfying life.

The duration of therapy for patients can vary significantly depending on different factors. Each individual's therapeutic journey is unique, and the length of treatment will depend on the nature of their concerns, the severity of their symptoms, their commitment to the therapeutic process, and the specific therapeutic approach employed. In some cases, brief therapies may span a few weeks or months and focus on specific issues, while more complex, deep-rooted concerns or major growth-oriented therapeutic work might last months or even years.

The therapist and patient work collaboratively to establish treatment goals and assess progress along the way, making adjustments as needed. It's important to remember that therapy is a gradual and ongoing process that aims to foster personal growth, insight, and positive change, with the ultimate goal of helping patients achieve improved mental and emotional well-being.

The cost of therapy can vary greatly depending on whether you go to a public or private agency, the provider you choose to work with, their level of experience, and their licensing level and status. My fees are within the upper-range of fees for psychologists in my area. I collect payment at the time services are rendered. Ultimately, you often get what you pay for, and investing in yourself may be the most important thing you can do for yourself, your family, and friends.

I am not a network provider for any commercial-insurance company. HMO insurance will only cover services with a network provider. They will pay nothing to cover our work together. However, PPO insurance typically offers some benefits. In my experience, some are minimal, and others are quite good, covering most or all of my charges. As a courtesy, my assistant submits claims to your insurance on your behalf. This is typically processed twice a month and all money received will be promptly reimbursed to you. Most people choose this option, as navigating the insurance process can be challenging. If you prefer, I can provide a monthly superbill that you can send to insurance on your own. Insurance companies can take several weeks to process claims. 

If cost is a deciding priority, I suggest you consider calling your insurance company to find an in-network provider. Most insurance companies provide some mental health benefits.

Some people choose to not submit claims to their insurance companies, as all insurance claims and information become part of the Medical Information Bureau's centralized repository. Insurance underwriters can use this information to assess risk, rates, and insurability. This has the potential to impact future insurability for life, disability, and health. This information can also be accessed as part of a background check for certain areas of employment and has the potential to impact fitness for duty evaluations and security clearances.  

In order for us to set realistic treatment goals and priorities, it is important to evaluate what resources you have available to pay for your treatment. I will provide you with whatever assistance is needed to help you receive the benefits to which you are entitled. However, you (not your insurance company) are responsible for full payment of all fees incurred. It is very important that you find out exactly what mental health services your insurance policy covers. If you have questions about the coverage, call your plan administrator. Of course, I will try to help you understand the information you receive from your insurance company.

Yes, except for specific situations that involve health and safety concerns. I will review these exceptions with you. Also insurance companies require a diagnosis to process claims. Further, some require your provider to report symptoms, and certain content to process claims. With the changing healthcare landscape, more and more people are expressing concerns including privacy of healthcare information, involvement of insurance companies, and diagnosis that can later cause problems. Many clients choose not to involve insurance companies in their counseling treatment. I accept cash, checks, and major credit cards.

In general, meetings are scheduled for 50 to 60 minutes (one appointment hour) per week at a time that is mutually agreed upon. Depending on the situation, meetings may be longer or more frequent.

Just give me a call at 805.279.7007 and leave your name, phone number and best time to call. I return calls myself, as promptly as possible; typically within 24 hours, often in the evening hours. At that time, please ask any questions you wish and give a brief description of your situation. We can schedule a mutually convenient appointment if you would like to proceed further.

Following your initial phone call or email, I will respond promptly to answer any questions you may have and/or schedule an initial appointment. Before the appointment, you will need to fill out several forms and review our confidentiality and privacy practices. The purpose of the initial appointment will be to gather information so I can try to understand as much as possible about the concerns that bring you into therapy. I will ask many questions about you, your life, and your personal history in a respectful and non-judgmental way.

During the first meeting, I will give feedback as we go, offer initial impressions, and help identify your goals. You should evaluate this information, along with your own opinions of whether you feel comfortable working together. Therapy involves a large commitment of time, money, and energy, so you should be very thoughtful about the therapist you select. As always, if you have questions, please mention them whenever they arise.

Sometimes people have a moment of insight, make a change, and it sticks long-term. However, it is important to identify that many aspects of therapeutic change are non-linear, gradual processes, that unfold over time. Insights are very important, implementation can be challenging. 

Having a good "fit" is essential to the success of the therapeutic experience. You are more likely to benefit from therapy if you feel that you can talk openly and honestly with your therapist and that he/she can understand you. The therapist should maintain a friendly and professional demeanor at all times. Perhaps the most important factor in a good outcome is your therapist's personality and your comfort level with him or her. Pay attention to how attentively they respond to your requests and your individual progress. Sometimes it is necessary to interview more than one therapist until you feel you are comfortable and safe.

If you would like to come by for 5-10 minutes to "say hello" and meet me, I am happy to do so. This is not a therapeutic meeting, rather, it is a chance to have a brief conversation in person. Since I typically schedule people back-to-back appointments throughout the day, I often schedule these meetings at the beginning or end of my schedule.

When people have a successful resolution of their initial concerns, or growth has plateaued, I often suggest a "maintenance" mode of meeting once every 4-6 weeks. This mode encourages the changes to continue and the insight that was developed to solidify and stay for the long-term.

However, a client may be very happy with the resolution of their initial concerns and choose to stop therapy or take a break. Sometime later they may decide to look a little further at the patterns or repetitive behaviors that are the underlying root of their initial concerns. There is no "right" way to grow and learn about yourself. In addition, life can take many twists and turns and present new challenges, some of which may benefit from additional help.  I am happy to re-engage and resume therapy at any time. 

Once an appointment hour is scheduled, it is reserved for you. You will be expected to pay the full cost for that session unless you provide 24 hours advance notice of cancellation. If we agree that you were unable to attend due to circumstances beyond your control, I will often waive the fee. If it is possible, we will try to find another time that same week to reschedule the appointment.

In California, there are various categories of mental health providers who offer different types of therapy and treatment. Here are some common categories along with their strengths and weaknesses for patients:

1. Psychologists: Psychologists have doctorate degrees (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology and specialize in assessing and treating emotional and mental health conditions. They can provide psychotherapy, conduct psychological testing, and offer evidence-based treatments. Their strength lies in their extensive training and expertise in understanding human behavior and cognition. However, they cannot prescribe medication, and their services might be more expensive than other providers.

2. Psychiatrists: Psychiatrists are medical doctors (M.D. or D.O.) who specialize in mental health. They can diagnose and treat mental illnesses and typically prescribe medication. Their strength lies in their ability to integrate biological and pharmacological interventions into treatment plans. However, appointments with psychiatrists are generally brief (15 minutes or less), less frequent, and focused on medication management.

3. Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs): LCSWs have a master's degree in social work and are licensed to provide therapy. They have expertise in addressing social and environmental factors that affect mental health. Their strength lies in their ability to provide holistic and culturally sensitive care. However, their scope of practice is generally more limited compared to psychologists.

4. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs): LMFTs specialize in couples and family therapy. They have a master's degree in counseling or a related field and are trained to address relationship issues and family dynamics. Their strength lies in their ability to work with multiple individuals simultaneously and focus on relational healing. However, they have less training in individual therapy approaches.

5. Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs): LPCs hold master's degrees in counseling and provide therapy for individuals, couples, and families. They are trained in various therapeutic modalities and can help with a range of mental health concerns. Their strength lies in their flexibility and adaptability in tailoring treatment to individual needs. However, their qualifications and scope of practice can vary greatly, so it's important to verify their credentials.

In addition to licensed mental health professionals, California also has non-licensed therapists such as associate marriage and family therapists, interns, and assistants who provide mental health services under supervision. These individuals are typically graduate students pursuing their degrees in psychology, social work, counseling, or related fields. While they are still in training, they can offer therapy at a reduced cost or as part of their educational requirements.

The strengths of working with interns include their fresh perspective, enthusiasm, and dedication to learning. They often receive close supervision from experienced professionals. Interns can be a valuable resource for individuals seeking lower cost therapy options. However, interns will have less experience and expertise compared to licensed professionals. They may be limited in their ability to handle complex cases or provide specialized treatments. It's crucial for clients to discuss their expectations, goals, and the level of supervision provided when working with interns to ensure they receive appropriate care.

It's worth noting that the strengths and weaknesses mentioned above are generalizations, and individual providers within each category may vary in their approach and expertise. Ultimately, choosing the right mental health provider depends on the patient's specific needs, preferences, and the therapeutic relationship they feel most comfortable with.