The best place to start is by sending an email (preferable) or leaving a message at (424) 259-1370 to determine whether I am currently accepting new clients. If I am accepting new clients, we will set up a brief phone consultation or exchange emails to determine whether I am the best therapist to address your needs and discuss scheduling and payment issues. ​ If we decide to schedule an appointment, I'll send you my initial paperwork via a Client Portal link to complete before our first session; this way, you won't have to arrive early to fill out the paperwork.

Yes! I provide phone sessions, and video sessions for California residents via a secure platform.

The first time we meet for therapy, we’ll meet for a bit longer than usual (up to 60 minutes) to allow us to go over your intake paperwork together, for me to ask some follow-up questions, and for you to ask any questions you might have. Our first session is also a time to assess your needs and goals and create an initial treatment plan to guide our work together.

I typically recommend coming to therapy once per week during the initial phase of treatment to facilitate progress. After sufficient progress has been made, we may reduce our meetings to once every two weeks. ​ Many clients experience improvement in their symptoms with 10-20 sessions; however, some choose to remain in longer-term therapy to continue their personal growth, maintain progress, or address more complex problems.

Yes. I am ethically and legally bound to keep what you share during our work together between you and me unless: You give me your written permission (i.e., you sign a release of information) to share specific information. You choose to use your insurance benefits for services (in which case, I am required to share a diagnosis, dates of sessions you attended, a CPT code for services, and, very occasionally, other details about your care, such as a treatment summary). You tell me that you want to hurt yourself. You tell me that someone is hurting a child or dependent adult. You tell me that you plan to hurt someone else.

My standard rate is $195 per 45-50 minute session and $235 for the initial session and 60-minute sessions. I offer reduced rates on a limited basis for those who cannot afford the full fee. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss my fees further. I accept cash, checks, Health Savings/Flexible Spending Account cards, and all major credit cards.

I am considered "in-network" with most Aetna plans and will submit a claim on your behalf. I can also submit claims as an "out-of-network" provider on your behalf for Anthem Blue Cross and United Behavioral Health/Optum. You would be responsible for a co-payment and any deductible you still need to meet for the year. ​ If you have another plan and wish to see me as an "out-of-network" provider, you will be responsible for payment in full at the end of each therapy session, and I will provide you with a superbill at the end of each month. A superbill is an invoice with all the information your insurance company should need to file your out-of-network claim. You will submit this superbill to your insurance company and wait for reimbursement. Please note that each insurance company has a different process for out-of-network reimbursement — it's essential to contact your insurance company directly to understand your specific out-of-network benefits for mental health services (see below for good questions to ask).

Call your insurance company's Benefits Department (usually, this phone number is on the back of your insurance card) and ask the questions below. Insurance can be confusing to navigate, so be sure to ask for clarification on anything you need help understanding. It's a good idea to take notes during this phone call to refer to them later if you have questions or need a refresher. Here are some good questions to ask: Does my policy cover out-of-network Licensed Psychologists? (My license number is PSY19461) My therapist will provide the following information on a superbill: date(s) of sessions, diagnosis, and CPT code. Is this acceptable, or will you require additional information? How many sessions are covered per year? What is my lifetime maximum for mental health benefits? What is my deductible for out-of-network services? Has it been met? What is the Allowed Amount for therapy fees? (This is the maximum amount your insurance company will pay toward each therapy session.) What percentage of the Allowed Amount will be reimbursed? What is the process for filing a claim? Do you require my claim to be submitted within a certain number of days from the date of service to be considered for reimbursement? If so, what is that time period? What is the payment schedule? (This is how long it will take them to process your paperwork and reimburse you.) What is the phone number for the Claims Department so that I can follow up on the status of my claim?

Please provide 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Because your appointment time is reserved only for you, you will be charged for the full amount of that appointment if you do not show up for your scheduled appointment or you have yet to notify me at least 24 hours in advance. Please note that I cannot bill insurance for late cancellations or missed appointments.