Frequently Asked Questions

We all need a little help now and then. Perhaps you are struggling with something and need a little extra support. Perhaps people you know have encouraged you to seek therapy. Trust your gut. Trust your intuition. You know you best.

Consider taking this quiz to help sort out if you could benefit from therapy.

 If you’ve never been to therapy, relax! The process is conversational in nature, and I’ll do my best to put you at ease. The first visit (intake appointment) will be focused on reviewing some of the technicalities of therapy (e.g., reviewing paperwork you will have received ahead of time and any questions you might have), discussing your main concerns, and reviewing highlights of your life story (don’t worry; you’ll have a heads up from the preliminary paperwork—no surprises).  From there we will discuss initial goals and decide together how often we might meet (most common option is weekly to start). Throughout the process I welcome your feedback about what is / isn’t beneficial to you so we can adjust accordingly. You can expect suggestions for readings or activities (e.g., initiating an exercise program, journaling, or committing to a self-care activity of your choice) in-between sessions so that you can progress most efficiently and effectively.  Suggestions are custom tailored to your needs, goals, and preferences. 

We can collaborate together on your specific needs and tailor a schedule specific to you. 

 Some people may only complete one intake appointment. Some people may get started with brief therapy for a few weeks or months. Frequently, many people recognize the value of a stable therapeutic relationship. Everything depends on you and what you need. 

At the time of your first session, I ask you put a credit card on file in the client portal or through your Headway account if you use insurance. I use a secure payment system. I accept all major credit cards. At the end of each session, your card will be charged.  

I am In-Network with: Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross of CA, Blue Shield of CA, Cigna, Oscar Health, and United HealthCare.  

I use Headway to manage my insurance billing so I can place all my focus on our work together. You will receive an email from the Headway Team to help set up your account and add your insurance and payment details. After each session, the payment method on file will be charged and you will receive an invoice via email. For information on your insurance coverage and whether I am an available provider on your plan, or if you are a current client with questions about your insurance billing, please visit my Headway profile or log into your account on Headway (Upper Right Hand Corner of my Headway Profile).  

When insurance companies pay for your treatment, it also means that their employees can audit and read about what we talked about in sessions. These employees are paid to save the insurance company money. They also have the ability to decline authorization for treatment and favor short term treatment.  I believe that you have the right to confidentiality of your medical records. You also have the liberty to progress through treatment at the pace that is best for you. Insurance companies also operate on a medical mode, which means they require a diagnosis (or a label as I like to call it). Most insurance companies don't consider relationship issues, trauma, life-transitions, personal development, or self-improvement as "medical necessities" because there are no diagnosis for these in the DSM. Even if there were appropriate diagnosis, most insurance companies don't consider them debilitating enough to pay for.  Severe diagnosis could one day effect your ability to get life insurance, regularly handle firearms, or seek employment. 

Please remember to cancel or reschedule 24 hours in advance. You may be responsible for a cancelation fee if you provide less than 24 hours notice for a cancellation. This is necessary because a time commitment is made to you and is held exclusively for you. If you are late to a session, you may lose some of that session time.  If you fail to cancel your appointment and do not show altogether, a full session fee might be charged. 

I am licensed in the state of Texas and California. I can only do telehealth sessions for clients located in those states.  At this time, I do not work with any clients internationally.

 We live in a digital world. Teletherapy (a.k.a., telehealth, telemental health, telepsychology, online therapy, etc.) has been on the rise for many years.  

 Research shows that internet-based interventions were equally effective when compared to more traditional face to face interventions even before COVID-19. Teletherapy offers many benefits for clients, therapists, and the greater community in general.  COVID-19 changed a lot about life as we knew it for many people. Teletherapy keeps us all more safe AND connected at the same time. My practice is now exclusively online. 

Your privacy is very important to me. I ensure that all clients who enter into a therapeutic relationship with me receive informed consent for treatment and a notice of my privacy practices. You have confidentiality rights and they are governed by federal and state laws including HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).

I follow strict legal and ethical guidelines to collect, maintain, and protect your protected health information (PHI). I break confidentiality when any of the following occur: (1) If a client may be an immediate danger to themselves or others, (2) If a client is endangering a population that cannot protect itself, such as the case of child or elder abuse, (3) To share diagnostic information as necessary to obtain payment for services, (4) As required by federal or state laws, and (5) When a client authorizes us in writing to release PHI (e.g., if a client would like us to collaborate with an alternate service provider or someone involved in their care like a psychiatrist, a primary care physician, a family member, a spouse or significant other, a friend, or an emergency contact).

 While the therapist helps facilitate positive changes, challenges unhealthy patterns, and provides support in your journey, it is ultimately you who has to choose to do the work.  Your engagement and participation is critical to your healing and personal growth.  It’s the work you do outside of our sessions that will take you from life change to transformation.