Frequently Asked Questions
Call for a free 15-Minute Consultation?
The free 15-minute phone consultation helps determine if we are a good fit. You'll provide a brief summary of why you're seeking treatment. If I can help, I'll explain my therapy approach and any limitations. If we decide to proceed, we'll discuss fees, check your insurance benefits, and schedule an appointment. Finally, I'll guide you through setting up your online profile for remote sessions and completing the intake paperwork.
Although the conversation is meant to be brief, it is important that you paint a picture of your current stressors and symptoms. Usually, individuals share any previous diagnosis, any life current stressors, goals they have for therapy, what type of therapy they are looking for, and/or any past or present suicidal ideations, self-harm, substance abuse or domestic violence. It is important to provide all relevant information so that the therapist can make an informed decision on whether or not they can treat you effectively.
The intake session begins with the therapist going over the documents you signed and answering any questions you may have. Unless something is pressing that needs to be addressed right away, often we then review the forms that you filled out exploring the symptoms listed and any relevant history provided. If time permits, we will discuss your goals for therapy and create a treatment plan together, otherwise, this will occur on the second session.
Tell me about you
According to the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT), “Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are licensed mental health professionals who work with individuals; couples whether or not married; families of all types; and groups to cure or relieve mental, emotional, and relational concerns of all kinds.”
For more information, please visit the website for California Association of Marriage and Family Therapist at http://www.camft.org.
For more information on the requirements of Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, please visit the Department of Consumer Affairs Board of Behavioral Sciences’ website at http://www.bbs.ca.gov.
Marriage and Family Therapist is a master’s-level clinical license. I work with individuals, couples, and families. While my training emphasizes relationships and family systems, I also provide individual therapy to support concerns such as anxiety, self-esteem, life transitions, and personal growth.
Even in individual therapy, I take a relationship- and systems-focused approach, exploring how relationships, family dynamics, and life context may influence your experience—while keeping the work centered on your personal goals and needs.
I work from an elective perspective. I tailor sessions to what you need. However, I would say my practice focuses more on a reflective approach to therapy, more than a tool-based approach. This approach focuses more on understanding why you do what you do by helping you learn to identify what you are feeling, what you need and how to get those needs met. Nonviolent Communication (NVC) approach most closely summarizes my approach to therapy. We will use this approach to create the basis of understanding behaviors while incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Family Systems and Mindfulness to correct undesirable thoughts and behaviors. This approach does not tell you what to do to stop the behaviors or feelings but rather understand them and empowers you to change them.
I obtained a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and went on to earn a Master of Science (MS) in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from California Lutheran University (CLU). Once licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist, I went back to school and completed a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA); fulfilling a personal goal.
Although, most of my road to licensure and to date, has been mostly working in private practice; much of my training includes working in community centers and clinics treating individuals with dual diagnosis including substance abuse. These settings trained me in working with individuals, couples, families and providing group psychotherapy.
However, I chose to remain in private practice because it allows me to customize treatment to each individual and allows me the flexibility to treat patients that is most effective for them.
Given the prevalence of anxiety in our society, I chose to become a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP). Through this training and certification, I gained access to the latest and most effective methods for treating anxiety. Having worked with numerous individuals struggling with various forms of anxiety and led a group for Social Anxiety and Withdrawal, I found this additional training invaluable in enhancing my ability to help those in need.
In my practice, I focus mostly on helping individuals get to know themselves better and help them understand why they do what they do. These individuals struggle with a vast variety of diagnoses which are not limited to anxiety.
I am also in the process of becoming a certified Shame-Informed Treatment Specialist (CSTS) and earning a Complex Trauma Certification (CCTP/CCTP-II). My goal is to help individuals heal at their core.
You don’t need to have anxiety, shame, or trauma to work with me. While I have a deeper understanding of how these experiences impact people, I’m a general therapist who supports adults with a wide range of concerns — including stress, relationships, self-esteem, life transitions, and personal growth. My goal is to meet you where you are and help you create meaningful change in whatever areas of life feel most important to you.
I work primarily with adults who are experiencing concerns such as anxiety, stress, depression, complex trauma, relationship difficulties, self-esteem issues, and major life transitions. I often support clients who want to better understand how relationship patterns and life experiences are impacting their current challenges and who are motivated to create meaningful, lasting change.
My practice focuses on supporting adult individuals and couples. If you’re looking for a therapist for a child, I’d be happy to offer a referral to a therapist who specializes in that area.
Tell me more about your sessions
My approach to therapy is client-centered and collaborative. While I may offer feedback or observations, the primary goal is to help you build insight and learn to ask yourself more direct questions. Clients are encouraged to bring their own topics to sessions, and together we incorporate your concerns and symptoms into a treatment plan that reflects your goals.
Sessions typically last 45-50 minutes. It is advised that you carve out an hour of your time for the appointment in case we start late or go over.
Treatment length varies based on your symptoms, goals, and individual needs. In general, therapy may last anywhere from 3-4 months to several years. Many clients begin with weekly sessions, and as progress is made, sessions may gradually decrease to biweekly, every three weeks, or monthly.
All services are offered both virtually and in-person in Woodland Hills.
For virtual sessions involving more than one client, all participants must be in the same physical location. The HIPAA-compliant platform only supports video with the therapist and one additional party at a time.
Intake sessions are conducted online to be seen sooner. I am only in the office 2-3 days per week and therefore, in person slots are limited.
I am currently offering In-Person sessions in Woodland Hills, CA on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
I am currently offering In-Person sessions in Woodland Hills, CA on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Intake sessions are conducted online to be seen sooner. I am only in the office 2-3 days per week and therefore, in person slots are limited.
For private paying individuals and couples, sessions cost up to $180. If finances are a factor, it is important to discuss this during the initial consultation call to see if a sliding scale slot is available.
If you are using insurance, your insurance benefits dictate the amount that you pay for each session. It is important to discuss this during the initial conversation.
I am in network with Blue Shield of California.
Insurance typically covers therapy that is considered medically necessary - that is, treatment for a diagnosed mental health condition. It does not usually cover therapy for personal growth, prevention, or general well-being. Coverage and reimbursement vary by plan, so it’s best to check with your insurance provider for details about your benefits.
If you are using insurance, your insurance benefits dictate the amount that you pay for each session. It is important to discuss this during the initial conversation.
Insurance is designed to cover medically necessary treatment and is NOT designed to cover preventative mental health. While insurance is helpful in paying for services surrounding parity diagnoses, they are not helpful in paying for preventative diagnosis surrounding relationship distress or improved communication. Therefore, any type of couples counseling is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Your session time is reserved especially for you. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice to avoid being charged for the full session fee.
Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice, or missed appointments without notice (“no-shows”), are charged the full session fee as outline in the fee agreement signed during the intake.
Sessions are provided through an app called Spruce Healthcare. It is a HIPAA compliant app and is secure for medical purposes. We will do our sessions through this app using video, we can text and send attachments.
The Legal Stuff
I am only licensed and able to practice in California.
Therapists are licensed by the state and can only practice with patients located in that state at the time of the session. For this practice, all patients must be physically located in California for every session. At the time of the session, the physical address for each patient must be provided in case of an emergency.
To participate in telehealth sessions, a patient must be a good fit for remote sessions. For example, patients must be emotionally stable and not require immediate or intensive interventions or be a danger to themselves or others. Individuals must have sufficient experience and access working with technology to be able to engage in video sessions. They must have the privacy and motivation to engage in remote sessions. Each case is unique and must be assessed by both the therapist and the patient.
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost.
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.
You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
Whether you are utilizing insurance benefits or paying privately for services, this office is a HIPAA covered entity and in such, it is required to follow specific privacy practices. The attached notice describes how medical information about you may be used to and disclosed and how you can get access to it so please read it carefully.
Therapists are licensed by the state and can only practice with patients located in that state at the time of the session. For this practice, all patients must be physically located in California for every session. At the time of the session, the physical address for each patient must be provided in case of an emergency.
