FAQ
While there are no guarantees that psychotherapy will yield positive or intended results, talking with a professionally trained person can help you begin the process of solving emotional and/or practical problems and ultimately achieve a more fulfilling life and satisfying relationships.
The process of change will, in many ways, be unique to your particular situation. Who you are as a person will help determine the ways in which you go about changing your life. This process begins by first clearly defining and understanding the origin of the problem, discussing your thoughts and feelings related to the problem, and developing new skills and healthier attitudes about yourself and others.
The most important factor in the success of therapy is the relationship between you and your therapist.
As I mentioned, the most important factor in the success of therapy is the relationship between you and your therapist. There are several qualities that are commonly found in strong therapeutic relationships, including empathy, acceptance, trust and collaboration. Do you feel like your therapist understands and respects you, has empathy for your situation, accepts you just as you are and makes a sincere effort to work together to help you reach your goals?
I'm a relational therapist who appreciates and welcomes feedback about our work together, and I will check in with you from time to time, especially at the beginning of therapy, to ensure that I'm attuning to your needs and providing the support and guidance you want. If at any time during therapy you have questions about whether or not the treatment is effective, you have feelings about something I have said or suggested, or if you need clarification of our goals, please let me know.
Yes, I have weekday evening slots available and limited weekend availability.
After your free 20 minute consultation and if we decide we are a good match, you will schedule your first appointment with me over the phone and subsequent weekly or biweekly sessions will be scheduled at the end of each session.
I understand that things come up and you may need to occasionally reschedule. Please call 24 hours or more in advance of your appointment if you need to cancel. You may call my voicemail 24 hours a day, seven days a week to cancel an appointment.
Appointments not cancelled 24 hours in advance of an appointment will result in a charge for the regular fee.
Frequent cancellations may result in you losing your regular appointment time and having to schedule our sessions based on availability each week. If you have the type of schedule that makes consistent weekly appointments difficult, please let me know.
With a few exceptions, everything you say in therapy is held strictly confidential. Therapists have a legal and ethical duty to keep your health information confidential. Exceptions to this obligation include if the therapist is concerned that a client poses a serious threat to themselves or someone else, instances in which the therapist has reasonable suspicion of the abuse of a child, elder or dependent adult, or if mandated by court. These exceptions are meant to protect your safety, as well as the safety of others.
My fee for a 50-minute session is $190 for individuals and $220 for couples.
You have the option of paying with a credit card, check or cash at the end of each session. Credit card information is kept on file and completely confidential.
My office is located at 201 Sanchez Street at the corner of Sanchez and Market Streets. I also offer teletherapy for those clients who prefer the convenience and safety of video sessions.
Call me at 415-680-5468 for your free 20 minute consultation. We can talk about the issues you would like to address in therapy, and I can answer any questions you might have and tell you how I think I might be able to help.