B"H
(510) 686-3743

FAQ

Where is your office located?
In the cosmos, the Internet ether – I only see clients online.
What are your hours?

I have donut hours: A bit earlier and a bit later with a hole in the middle

Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday

7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM start times

How long are your sessions?

60 minutes

Do you take Insurance? Why or why not?

I am a self-pay practice, but I am “Insurance Friendly.” We will discuss this further when we meet.

How do I set up an appointment?
Click on the link here or anywhere you see “Contact Me” to schedule a free 60-minute introductory therapy session.
What is your cancellation policy?

The cancellation policy is as follows:

  • More than 24 hours’ notice, no charge.
  • Less than 24 hours’ notice, 50% of your usual agreed per-session fee.
  • No Show, 50% of your usual agreed per-session fee.
What age ranges do you work with?
I work with male and female clients aged 12 and up.
Do you work with? Men? Women? Couples?

I work with men and women; I do not see couples or do family therapy.

When I work with minors, I conduct a monthly session for the parents to update them on the client (within HIPAA regulations) and find out what they see.

What do you do in sessions with clients?

I usually sleep – just kidding.

A session looks like this:

  • Relaxation exercise
  • Review of what happened last week
  • Check on between-session experiments
  • Jump into burning issues or other topics as the focus of the session
  • Closeout suggested experiments and relaxation exercises.
Do your clients receive assignments to work on between sessions?
Some clients are asked to try things between sessions, watch a video, or read an article or chapter in a book.
What modalities do you use in your client work?
I am a compassionate and humorous therapist, so clients feel I primarily use Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS).
What is your professional training and experience?

I have a master’s degree in social work and am licensed as a clinical social worker in California.

I have been licensed for around 30 years. During that time, I worked in a community organizing for a county child protection adoption agency as a medical social worker, and I spent 10+ years working with perpetrators of Domestic Violence.

I have a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) certification and am “IFS Informed” with Internal Family Systems therapy.

What else must a client know to make the most out of working with you?

Please show up on time. This time together is sacred and should be respected accordingly.

I am being open and upfront, even if you are worried about hurting my feelings.

Pets?
I used to have pets (two dogs, a snake, and mice [food for the snake]); I find them too much work to care for and clean up after.
Children?
See the answer for Pets. Seriously, I have one adopted son and a granddaughter.
Can you read my mind?

Unfortunately, mind reading isn’t in my toolkit. But I am good at listening and helping you figure out what’s happening there!

Will you fix all my problems in one session?
I wish I had a magic wand! Therapy is more like planting seeds than instant gardening. But we’ll work together to make some lasting changes.
What if I say something embarrassing?
Trust me, therapists have heard it all. It’s a judgment-free zone, so there’s no need to worry about saying something that will surprise me.
Can I tell you about my weird dreams?
Absolutely! I may not know why you’re riding a dinosaur through a grocery store, but exploring dreams can be fun.
Will I be ‘cured’ after therapy?
Ultimately, you won’t get a certificate of perfection, but you’ll feel more equipped to handle life’s curveballs. And hey, I’m always here for a tune-up if needed!