What is the first appointment like?

The first appointment is a consultation in which we discuss the challenges you are facing, your goals, and whether working together makes sense. I will listen closely to your situation, ask clarifying questions, begin formulating an assessment, and engage you in considering possible next steps. Together we will work to develop a shared understanding of what is at the heart of your difficulties and what treatment could look like. You will be welcomed to ask me questions and share any concerns you have. There is no obligation to begin treatment, and if I think it will not be in our best interest to work together, I can provide a referral to another clinician. Please note that this consultation period can sometimes take more than one appointment.

What if I don’t have clear goals?

It is very common to begin therapy knowing that something needs to change but not yet knowing what that is or what to do about it. Often people have a sense of being stuck in an area of their lives without clear direction about how to proceed. In my experience, this is an excellent starting place. With time and the right kind of attention, more clarity about what is wanted and needed in one’s life will begin to take shape.

How often would we meet and how long does therapy last?

I meet with people for 50-minute appointments at the same time on a weekly basis. Depending on one’s needs and desires, additional appointments are available. I have not found that a frequency of less than once per week creates meaningful change. The length of treatment varies from person to person and depends on many factors. While it is difficult to determine ahead of time how long one will spend in therapy, I can understand concerns about the time commitment, given the emotional and financial investments required. Often, the first few sessions can provide symptom relief simply through the act of having reached out for support and finding it. Brief therapy can help address specific, straightforward needs while longer, depth-oriented therapy provides a consistent, ongoing space to address long standing, complex issues and to cultivate deep self understanding. I welcome you to discuss your thoughts about treatment length in our first appointment and throughout treatment.

Would we meet in person or virtually?

I work both in person and virtually from my office in the Rockridge district of Oakland. We can decide together which format is best suited to your needs. And while I can legally meet with people residing anywhere in California, I have found it best to work with people who are in the immediate surrounding area.

Is your office wheelchair accessible?

My office is at the top of a long flight of stairs and is not wheelchair accessible. If you would like to work together and this setting is prohibitive, please contact me to discuss your needs. I am happy to conduct treatment virtually via a HIPAA-compliant teletherapy platform or to make a referral to another clinician whose office meets your needs.

What are your fees? Do you accept insurance?

My standard fees vary with time and are consistent with those of other local licensed psychotherapists with comparable experience and training. I reserve a portion of my practice for sliding scale fees. Please contact me for current rates and to discuss your financial situation. I am an in-network provider for UC Berkeley students and staff via SHIP, however please note that the SHIP portion of my practice is full for the time being. If you have coverage with another insurance company and would like to use your benefits, first confirm that you have out-of-network behavioral health benefits. Then my standard fee will be due at the time of service, and I can provide a superbill that you may submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. You may also be able to use funds from your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for treatment. For lower fee therapy, I recommend Open Path Collective and Open Counseling.

Do you work with children, couples, or families?

At this time, I only work with adult individuals.

If you would like to discuss working together, please contact me by phone or email to setup a free initial phone consultation.