How long will psychotherapy take?

It is not possible to answer this question accurately, since the length of therapy depends on your individual needs. If we are focusing on a very specific issue, it may be resolved in a few months. More deeply embedded patterns and problems for individuals or couples tend to require more time.

How long are sessions?

Sessions are 50 minutes long. At times, I schedule longer sessions for individuals or couples. We will schedule regular sessions once or twice a week, depending on your needs.

What about scheduling?

I ask new clients to commit to at least 4 weeks of weekly psychotherapy to establish your goals and our working relationship. I find that having a set time to meet is helpful in establishing a feeling of safety and trust in the process and relationship, but I will be as flexible as my schedule allows.

What about medications?

Only psychiatrists and other MDs are licensed to prescribe medication. If at any point you or I believe that medications might be helpful, I would recommend that you make an appointment with a psychiatrist for an evaluation. Exploring your beliefs, fears and hopes about psychotropic medication can be a very rich part of the therapy process. The final choice regarding taking them is always yours.

What will psychotherapy cost?

My standard fee is midrange for the Bay Area. I also reserve a few lower fee slots which we can discuss if it is relevant to you. We can discuss and establish fee arrangements during our first phone conversation, before you make an appointment. I am especially committed to providing accessible and affordable psychotherapy to LGBTQI people of color/mixed race people, and people doing social justice work.

Will my insurance pay for my sessions?

Some plans will reimburse for psychotherapy with Marriage and Family Therapists, so you may want to check to see if you have coverage for individual psychotherapy with a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist of your choice. I am happy to prepare a monthly statement for you to submit to your insurance company. However some insurance reimbursement processes require sharing private information with several people, thus compromising your confidentiality. Feel free to discuss the pros and cons of using insurance with me if you are considering this choice.

What is a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)?

www.camft.org

How can I check a license status?

To check the license status of any MFT, you can go to http://www.bbs.ca.gov/, the website for the Board of Behavioral Sciences, a California consumer protection agency which governs MFTs and Licensed Clinical Social Workers.