How can therapy help me or my family member?
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Therapy is a safe, confidential relationship where you can freely discuss your experiences with me. There are different types of therapists and therapies but the majority of treatments are aimed at helping you build greater self-awareness and effectiveness in your life and relationships. Therapy addresses thinking patterns, emotional experiences, and behaviors that impact your life. I will help identify your goals for treatment and work collaboratively with you the achieve them using a variety of techniques.
What type of therapy do you practice?
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Above all else, I try to establish a safe, trusting relationship with my clients. I have learned that the therapeutic relationship is the foundation for a positive therapy experience. I utilize evidence-based theories of psychotherapy that I tailor to the individual needs of each client. I view therapy as both science and art. I draw from Psychodynamic Theory, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Systems Theory. With couples, I utilize an Emotion-Focused approach.
What are your session costs and do you accept insurance?
- I accept insurance for therapy and testing only at my Huntington Beach location. I am in-network with Anthem BC, Blue Shield, Aetna, MHN, Kaiser, and others.
- I do not accept insurance at my Long Beach office. My session fee is $120 per individual session and $140 for a couples session. Psychological testing rates vary depending on the type of testing requested.
Is therapy confidential?
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Your relationship with me and associated medical records are confidential just like your meetings with other medical professionals. Confidentiality is in place to allow you to be as open and honest with me as you would like and know it will not leave the room. There are limits of confidentiality related to harming one’s self or others. I review the limits of confidentiality at the outset of treatment.
How long does therapy take?
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The average length of time one stays in therapy is 12 sessions, however, it is different for everyone. Many factors contribute to how long one stays in therapy including issues addressed, connection with the therapist, type of treatment received, motivation for treatment, and many other factors. Your therapist will discuss the course of treatment at the outset of your counseling relationship.
Does my child have the same level of confidentiality as an adult?
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Minors generally have the same right to confidentiality as adults in order to encourage openness and safety. Therapists will discuss a minor’s care with their parent or guardian when there are safety issues or other serious concerns. Many therapists involve parents, family members, and school representatives in a minor’s treatment as a way to impact the minor’s living or school environments.
Do therapists give me advice?
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I am not trained to give you advice but rather help guide you towards making your best choices. I will help you weigh the pros and cons, uncover motivations, and anticipate consequences for your life’s choices but it is largely up to you to make your choices. With that said, if I feel as if you may be making a harmful choice in your life, I will bring my concerns to your attention.
What if I do not like something my therapist said or if I feel like we are not a good fit?
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Please let me know. I am comfortable talking about the relationship and will take steps to resolve issues coming up in the therapy. I welcome feedback regarding your needs and experiences within therapy. Your experiences with me are often part of the therapy itself as people tend to repeat patterns with their therapist.
If I go to therapy, that means there is something wrong with me, right?
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Making the choice to seek out therapy is a tremendous act of courage. The truth is that many people from a variety of backgrounds benefit from working with a therapist. Therapy is a form of self-care that is similar to visiting the doctor’s office to address a physical issue or get a checkup. Simply living can be so challenging these days, therapy is a great way to learn how to do it skillfully.
How long is a therapy session and how often am I expected to go?
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Therapy appointments are typically 50 minutes and scheduled weekly. However, this frame can be altered based on your needs.
What do I do in a session?
- I will ask questions to help facilitate the process. However, the more you bring into each therapy session, the more productive the sessions can potentially be. It is best to determine what topics you will bring up in between sessions. While you are in the session, I recommend simply being open to whatever thoughts and feelings begin to surface.
Does the therapist talk about themselves?
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The therapeutic relationship is unique in that it is all about you! I am trained to focus solely on you and what you want to work on. With that said, if there is something you would like to know about me, just ask. Yes, the treatment is about you, but I try to not be a complete mystery to the people I work with.
Will you prescribe me medication?
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No. I do not have prescription privileges; however, I can assist in connecting you to a psychiatrist for an evaluation.