FAQ About Therapy

How long do therapy sessions typically last?

Sessions typically last 50 minutes. The initial session can take up to 60 minutes.

What happens during the first therapy session?

During our first session, we’ll spend 5-10 minutes reviewing my office policies for any questions or concerns. We’ll also finalize details such as scheduling future sessions and payment information. Then we’ll explore questions from the intake that you’ve completed, focusing on your goals and what you hope to gain from completing therapy.

How do I know if therapy is right for me? How can it help?

People decide to start therapy for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common are: feeling anxious, depressed, irritable, having trouble sleeping, experiencing several fears and worries, and struggling with boundaries and relationships. Many are having difficulty managing general stress, which can impact different areas of life, including physical health, work performance, motivation, parenting, sleep, and appetite.

Participating in therapy may result in a number of benefits, including, but not limited to, improved coping skills to manage stress and anxiety, a decrease in negative thoughts and behaviors, increased comfort in social, work, and family settings, and increased self-confidence and self-compassion.

I am passionate about reducing the stigma of seeking therapy! I believe that everyone can benefit from having a safe space to process feelings.

What is Intuitive Eating?

Intuitive Eating is a self-care framework and weight-inclusive approach to eating and exercise. It includes 10 principles to help build self-trust and make peace with food. It was created by two dietitians and is backed by over 125 published research studies of its benefits. Learn more about these principles here.

This framework may be helpful if you’re experiencing: guilt around eating choices, eating that feels rigid and/or out of control, a history of yo-yo dieting or weight cycling, body comparing, checking, and dissatisfaction, or compulsive exercise.

If you’re interested in Intuitive Eating counseling, I highly recommend reading this Intuitive Eating book either before or during our work together. With a more thorough understanding of the framework, it’s likely that you will make quicker progress in counseling.

How often will I need to come to therapy?

I would be working with you on a weekly basis.

How long will I need to come to therapy?

While every client varies in their goals and needs, my clients generally participate for an average of 9-12 months. Several have been working with me for over a year. I let clients know that one of my goals is for them to not be in counseling forever!

There is no required length of treatment, and counseling is always voluntary. However, real change takes time. If you’re attending consistently and actively participating in your sessions, you’ll likely gain more from our work together and may find that you do not need long-term therapy.

Clients who are primarily seeking Intuitive Eating counseling and who have read the Intuitive Eating book generally attend for an average of 3-6 months.

How much do sessions cost?

My rate for a 50-minute session is $175.

Are sessions covered by my insurance?

I am in-network with Aetna and Cigna insurance. Since every insurance plan is different, coverage and benefits are always verified before the first session.

I am also an out of network provider for most PPO plans. Depending on your plan and benefits, you may be able to seek reimbursement for a portion of the fee.

How do I seek reimbursement from my insurance company?

I can provide you with a Super Bill, which you can submit for reimbursement of fees already paid. If you request a Super Bill, insurance companies generally require a mental health diagnosis to be present for reimbursement. That diagnosis would then be available to your insurance company when you submit your receipt to them for reimbursement.

There is a service called Reimbursify that can help simplify the process.

Do you have evening and weekend appointments available?

I do offer evening appointments, however they fill up quickly. While I cannot guarantee evening availability, feel free to inquire, as I may be able to inform you of future openings. I am not offering weekend appointments.

Where do sessions take place?

I am offering virtual sessions through a secure, web-based video service.

Who do you work with?

I work individually with adults who are wanting support for anxiety, relationship issues, work stress, body shame, compulsive eating and/or exercise, or eating disorder recovery maintenance.

Due to state laws, I can only provide therapy to clients who are living and residing in California.

What if therapy isn't working? 

This is such a valid question, and I encourage clients to bring this up if they’re feeling stuck. I also check in about progress every couple of months and how they feel therapy is going for them so far.

During the therapeutic process, some clients do find that they feel worse before they feel better. This is generally a normal course of events, and even a sign that therapy is working! Personal growth and change may be easy at times, but can also be slow and frustrating. I am with you for all the ups and downs, and everything in between.

If there’s a sense that therapy isn’t working, we’ll have a conversation about whether we need to change up your goals, or find new ways to keep track of your growth. And sometimes, I may not be a great fit for your needs. That’s ok! If we determine that we’re not a great fit anymore, or you develop new goals that are outside of my expertise, then I will support you with finding another therapist. I’m happy to share referrals, and can even contact your next therapist during the transition if you’d like.