Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started with Therapy
-
If you're asking this question, therapy might already be calling to you. There's no "right" level of struggle that qualifies you for support—you don't need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy.
You might benefit from therapy if you:
Feel stuck in patterns that aren't serving you
Experience anxiety, depression, or emotional overwhelm
Struggle with relationships or intimacy
Have experienced trauma (big or small)
Feel disconnected from yourself or your body
Want to understand yourself more deeply
Are going through a major life transition
Simply feel like something is "off" but can't quite name it
Therapy isn't just for when things are falling apart. It's also for when you're ready to grow, heal, and live more authentically. If you're curious whether we'd be a good fit, I offer a free 15-minute consultation to explore that together.
-
The first session is really about getting to know each other and seeing if we're a good fit. There's no pressure to dive into your deepest struggles right away—we move at your pace.
In our initial session, we'll:
Talk about what brought you to therapy and what you're hoping for
Discuss your history and current concerns
Explore whether my approach feels right for you
Answer any questions you have about the process
Collaboratively create some initial goals
I'll also reiterate information about confidentiality, logistics, and how we'll work together. By the end of our first meeting, you'll have a sense of whether this feels like a space where you can do meaningful work.
Remember: it's completely okay if we're not the right fit. Finding a therapist you feel comfortable with is crucial, and I'm happy to provide referrals if needed.
-
This is one of the most common questions I hear, and honestly, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Therapy is deeply individual, and the timeline depends on your goals, what you're working through, and how you respond to the process.
Some general guidelines:
Short-term focused work (specific issue or goal): 4-6 months
Moderate concerns (anxiety, recent trauma, life transitions): 9-12 months
Complex or developmental trauma: Often 1-2 years or longer
Ongoing personal growth: Some people continue therapy indefinitely at reduced frequency
EMDR therapy can sometimes work faster than traditional talk therapy for processing specific traumatic memories, though preparation and integration still take time.
What matters most isn't how long therapy takes, but that you're making meaningful progress toward feeling more like yourself. We'll regularly check in about your goals and how you're feeling about our work together.
-
Yes, confidentiality is a cornerstone of the therapeutic relationship. What you share in our sessions stays between us, with a few important legal exceptions:
I'm required by law to break confidentiality if:
You're at risk of harming yourself or someone else
There's suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elderly person, or dependent adult
A court orders me to release records (rare)
I may also consult with other professionals (with identifying information removed) for supervision or professional development, which is a standard ethical practice that helps me provide you with the best care.
Beyond these exceptions, everything you share is protected. You will receive a comprehensive notice of privacy practices once we begin work together. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you need more clarification!
-
This is a great question—it can definitely be confusing! Here's a simple breakdown:
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) - That's me!
Master's degree in counseling/therapy
Specialized training in relationships, families, and individual therapy
Provides psychotherapy but cannot prescribe medication
Focuses on emotional and relational healing
Psychologist (PhD or PsyD)
Doctoral degree in psychology
Can provide therapy and psychological testing
Cannot prescribe medication (in most states)
Often more research or academic-focused than counseling-focused
Psychiatrist (MD)
Medical doctor specializing in mental health
Can prescribe medication
May provide therapy but often focuses primarily on medication management
As an LMFT, I provide trauma-focused psychotherapy using EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, and mindfulness-based approaches. If medication might be helpful, I'm happy to coordinate with a psychiatrist while continuing our therapy work together.
-
Absolutely! I offer secure telehealth throughout California, and research shows that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy for most concerns.
Many of my clients actually prefer telehealth because it:
Eliminates commute time and parking stress
Allows you to be in a comfortable, familiar space
Makes therapy more accessible if you have mobility issues, live outside the Westside, or have a busy schedule
Still feels intimate and connected through video
That said, some people prefer in-person sessions, especially for somatic or body-based work. I offer both options (in-person on the Westside of LA and telehealth throughout California), so we can choose what feels best for you—or even alternate between the two.
The most important factor isn't the format; it's the therapeutic relationship and your commitment to the process.
-
Finding the right therapist is a bit like dating—fit matters more than credentials alone. Here are some things to consider:
Specialization: Look for someone who has experience with what you're dealing with. If you're working with trauma, anxiety, or relationship issues, you'll want a therapist who specializes in those areas.
Approach: Different therapists use different methods. If talk therapy alone hasn't worked for you, you might want someone who offers body-based approaches like EMDR or Somatic Experiencing.
Logistics: Consider practical matters like location, availability, fees, and whether they take insurance.
Gut feeling: This is huge. Do you feel comfortable with this person? Do they seem like someone you could open up to? Trust your intuition.
Most therapists (myself included) offer free consultations. Use this time to ask questions and notice how you feel in the conversation. You deserve to work with someone who feels like the right fit.
And remember: it's completely okay to "shop around" or to switch therapists if something isn't working. Your healing is what matters most.
-
This is such an important question, and I'm glad you're asking it. The therapeutic relationship is the foundation of good therapy, so if something feels off, that matters.
First, know that it's completely normal for therapy to feel uncomfortable sometimes—growth often does. But there's a difference between productive discomfort and a poor fit.
If you're feeling uncertain about our work together, I encourage you to bring it up. Sometimes the most meaningful breakthroughs happen when we can talk openly about what's not working. I won't be offended, and your honesty helps us both.
That said, if after giving it a genuine try you still feel like we're not the right match, that's okay. I'm happy to provide referrals to other therapists who might be a better fit. Your healing is the priority.
Working Together: Logistics & Policies
-
I now offer online therapy exclusively, working with clients throughout California via secure video sessions. This lets me work with people across the state rather than only those near a physical office.
-
es. Research supports that EMDR delivered via telehealth can be as effective as in-person sessions when using proper bilateral stimulation tools and a private, distraction-free setting. I use [name your specific platform/tool if applicable] to replicate the in-person experience as closely as possible.
-
A private space where you won't be interrupted, a stable internet connection, and a computer, tablet, or smartphone with a camera and microphone. Headphones are recommended for privacy and audio quality.
-
Inspired by the Green Bottle Method by Alexis J. Cunningfolk
My standard fee is $275 per 50-minute session.
A core part of my mission is making healing accessible across diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. I believe therapeutic services should reflect the varied access people have to resources — not gatekeep based on ability to pay.
When clients who have the ability to pay my standard fee do so, it directly enables me to offer reduced rates to others, create community offerings, and volunteer with nonprofits serving under-resourced and systemically oppressed communities.
Please note: I have a limited number of reduced and community-rate spots available. Priority is given to BIPOC individuals, students, and those who have been historically and systemically marginalized.Standard Rate — $240–$275/session
Choose this rate if you:
Consistently meet your basic needs without significant stress
Have stable housing through rent or homeownership
Own or lease a vehicle
Are employed or self-employed with reliable income
Have some financial savings or a safety net
Have expendable income for dining out, entertainment, and discretionary purchases
Can take time off or vacation without significant financial strain
May carry some debt but it does not limit your ability to meet primary needs
This is my sustainable baseline rate. It reflects the market value of specialized somatic and EMDR trauma therapy in Los Angeles and allows me to maintain my practice.
Reduced Rate — $175–$220/session
Choose this rate if you:
Are a student or in a training program with limited income
Are employed but underemployed, part-time, or in a period of reduced capacity
Meet your basic needs most of the time, but financial stress is a recurring reality
Have limited savings
Have minimal expendable income and need to plan carefully for time off or extras
Carry debt that meaningfully affects your financial flexibility
Community Rate — $50–$165/session
Choose this rate if you:
Are on a fixed income, receiving disability benefits, or have very limited or no employment income
Are a low-income student or financially dependent on others
Have little to no financial savings or safety net
Have almost no expendable income after basic expenses
Face compounding systemic barriers to economic stability — including supporting dependents on a very limited income
If this rate still feels out of reach, please explore the Community Counseling Centers listed under Resources for additional low-cost options.
-
I am not currently contracted with any insurance providers. I am considered an "out of network" provider.
If you have a PPO insurance policy, I can provide you with a receipt of services (called a superbill) that you can submit to your insurance company for partial reimbursement. Please note that I can not guarantee reimbursement, as this depends on your insurance company’s out of network benefits.
It is advised to call your insurance company prior to the commencement of services in order to verify out-of-network reimbursement and coverage.
-
I am operating a fully online practice.
My hours are Mondays through Thursdays, 9am-6pm most days. I do not offer session hours on Fridays or weekends.
I typically book clients on a standing weekly appointment. Should you require more flexibility with scheduling, we can discuss further during our initial phone consultation.
I’m available via email and text message. In general, please utilize these forms of contact to discuss billing and scheduling only, keeping personal details for our sessions. I will respond to all emails and inquiries during business hours only. Should you contact me after 6:00pm your call/message/email will be replied to the following business day. Should you contact me on Friday-Sunday, all messages/calls will be responded to on the next working day.
-
All therapy sessions are 50 minutes. I strongly advise that when engaging in the deep work of therapy, a weekly commitment is best for both the therapeutic process, particularly in initial phases of treatment. This is especially true when engaging in somatic interventions such as EMDR and Somatic Experiencing. That said, less frequent meetings can be accomodated if we collaboratively determine your therapeutic goals can still be met during our consultation call.
-
This is a common concern, especially for trauma work. Many clients find that after the first session or two, online sessions feel just as personal as in-person ones, and some feel more at ease in their own space. I'm happy to talk through what to expect before you commit.
-
I'm licensed in California, which means I can only provide therapy to clients physically located in California at the time of each session, even if they're just visiting or temporarily out of state part of the year.
-
In fairness to all my clients and my own scheduling capacity, I have implemented a standard cancellation policy: More than 24 hours in advance, you may reschedule or cancel a session at no charge. Exceptions may be made for true emergencies, but in these instances please contact me as soon as possible, otherwise you will be charged for the session.
If you do not show up at your regularly scheduled appointment, or if you make a cancellation with less than 24 hours notice you are responsible for the full session fee.
I offer a 15 minute grace period to attend all scheduled appointments. Should you fail to show up within 15 minutes of beginning of session start, the session will automatically be rescheduled to a later date.
After 3 weeks of consecutive late cancellations/no shows I will consider our therapeutic contract closed. You can contact me to resume our work together. If I no longer have availability, I can provide you with a list of referrals.
-
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 http://www.cms.gov/nosurprises