Some questions that you might have about psychotherapy:
How do I know if I need therapy?
Have you had a recent life event that has left you feeling depressed, anxious, isolated, driven, or out of touch with yourself and nothing seems to help? You might have tried to fix things on your own but it hasn’t helped. You may not feel comfortable talking to those around you about what is going on or feel like you may be criticized, judged, misunderstood or that you are burdening others with your problems. Perhaps you notice you have begun to engage in self-destructive behavior, such as withdrawal, denial, addiction, avoidance or by being overly controlling. Perhaps you have lost control of your emotions you are highly anxious all the time, are yelling at others, your sleep has changed, too much or too little, you have lost your appetite, stopped eating well, stopped exercising and just aren’t finding any joy in your life. These are all things to explore when considering to enter in to therapy.
How do I get started in started in therapy?
Begin my exploring my website, watch some video clips and explore the different techniques that I use with people in therapy. You can see the kinds of activities I promote when working with people. This is an integrative wellness approach to finding a more meaningful life. In addition to talk therapy, I review with clients sleeping patterns, diet, exercise, relaxation, hobbies, family, job, sources of strengths, to get an overall picture of how you are presently feeling about your life.
If I decide that I want to receive therapy sessions what happens next?
You have one of two options. You can decide to book a 20 minute free consultation session which you will find on my website or you can set up an appointment in book a session section of the website. If you decide to book a session through my platform Simple Practice you will be emailed a series of forms that I will need you to fill out before our first session. These forms include informed consent which breaks down some of the pros and cons of entering in to therapy, limits of confidentiality, background history, this form helps me to get an understanding of past and current issues you are experiencing and an emergency contact form so that I would know who to contact for you in case of an emergency.
What happens during the initial session?
The first step is for me to understand where you are experiencing difficulties in your life. Or if you can’t pinpoint what is going on we can further explore areas in your life that have changed or you are finding difficult. Next we collaborate on setting short term and long terms goals that you wish to achieve through therapy. It might seem difficult to open up to a stranger, but I am here to be a non-judgmental,non-critical empathetic listener. You will be encouraged to let me know if I ever feel otherwise to you. My wish and goal for you is to restore meaning and joy to your life.
How long do sessions last and what is the cost?
Individual session is 50 minutes.
Couple and Family sessions are 80 minutes.
Individual sessions are $125
Couple and Family sessions $175
I currently accept IEHP (Inland Empire Health Plan) insurance only. However, if you have other insurance I can provide you with an invoice that you can submit to your insurance company.
Commitment to Therapy?
I usually ask people to commit to at least 8 sessions of therapy in order to create sufficient change in your life. Depending on the severity of the issues you are struggling with, you and I will review at the beginning of each session how well you feel that you are progressing and can jointly decide if it is time to end therapy.
What is an M.F.T.?
The M.F.T., or Marriage and Family Therapist, is the license issued by the Board of Behavioral Science of the State of California to therapists who have a Master’s degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology, who has passed both written and oral examinations administered by the Board, and who have completed 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. License renewal requires 36 hours of continuing education every two years. The license allows the M.F.T. to call themselves a psychotherapist and provide therapy to individuals, couples, families and children. M.F.T. used to be referred to as M.F.C.C. (Marriage, Family and Child Counselor). The new license recognizes that we are doing, and are qualified to do, psychotherapy rather than simply counseling.
Virtual Therapy vs. Phone Sessions vs. In Person Sessions?
Virtual Therapy
I have set up my practice to provide virtual therapy because of the number of advantages that it offers to people such as convenience, no commuting, privacy of your own home, and for people who live remotely, don’t have access to therapists close by in their area, are homebound and those who just feel more comfortable using this platform.
Phone Sessions
Some people are very anxious about therapy, could be recently traumatized or don’t want to be seen, and find that talking on the phone feels more comfortable. I offer phone sessions, much the same way I utilize the virtual platform of Simple Practice. I have a secure, HIPPA compliant phone line which is secure and confidential.
Office Therapy
If you live in or near the Coachella Valley I do have a brick and mortar office in Rancho Mirage California.