Frequently Asked Questions

The first sessions will be used for us to get to know each other a little better, familiarize you with my therapy process, and answer any new or lingering questions that may come up for you. We will establish therapy goals in our first few sessions. Following this, sessions will be a mixture of talking, reflecting, and challenging your current thinking, feeling, and relationship patterns. At the end of sessions, we will identify key takeaways, actionable steps, and any homework that might be relevant to your situation.

This is based on individual needs. I’ve had clients choose to work with me for as little as two months and as long as several years. The duration of therapy will always be decided by you. I will give you clear and honest feedback about what to realistically expect based on your goals and personal history. As with any topic, we can discuss this at any stage in the therapy process.

Whether you’ve done therapy before or this is your first experience with it, you can be assured that my over ten years of clinical experience, advanced training, and passion for this work will guide you in a process of growth. If we are meeting regularly and you are not finding the process helpful, that is something we can discuss in an open and productive way. Lastly, please be aware that part of the effectiveness of therapy comes from the work being done outside of sessions, by completing homework and other tasks.

The first session will be used to get to know each other a little better, familiarize you with my therapy process, and answer any new or lingering questions that may come up. We will establish therapy goals in our first few sessions as well. Following this, sessions will be a mixture of talking, reflecting, challenging, and validating your current thinking, feeling, and relationship patterns. At the end of sessions, we will identify key takeaways, actionable steps, and any homework that might be relevant to your situation.

Whether you’ve done couples therapy before or this is your first experience, you can be confident that my clinical experience, advanced training, and passion for this work will guide you in the process of reconnecting. If we are meeting regularly and you are not finding the process helpful, that is something we can discuss in an open and productive way. I will not get defensive, but I will make sure I’m listening and hearing any concerns or stuck areas you may be experiencing. Then, I’ll provide a plan for addressing those concerns. Effective therapy should be clear to see and feel relationally and emotionally.

I’d love to hear from you. Please reach out and schedule your initial consultation today. During this call, I will answer any questions you may have about the process of therapy, the cost, my training or approach, scheduling, or any other questions or concerns you may have. Once your questions are answered and you’ve decided therapy is right for you, we start by scheduling our first session.

Life happens and sometimes schedules need to be changed. No problem! I have a 48-hour cancellation policy, which means that as long as you give me a 48-hour notice that your appointment time cannot be kept, no fee will be assessed. This is to allow me time to fill the open slot with a client from my waiting list or another existing client. If a session is not canceled on time, the full session fee will still be assessed.

I am not in-network with any insurance companies. However, I am happy to provide you a monthly superbill (not actually a bill but simply a list of codes insurance companies need to reimburse you). You can then submit this superbill to your insurer if you have out-of-network benefits, and they will issue you a check directly.

My private practice is only offered virtually. Individual therapy sessions are available in 50-minute video-based formats. Couples therapy sessions are available in 50-minute or 90-minute video-based formats, depending on your needs. The video service I use is through an established provider that has an encrypted connection. You will receive email links to a “virtual waiting room” where you can log in and prepare for your time to begin.

Most of my clients report that virtual therapy is equally effective and more convenient than in-person therapy. Ultimately, it is up to you as the client to choose what style of therapy makes you most comfortable.

Flexible office hours are maintained to better meet your needs. Evenings and weekends are available upon request.

I’m available to residents throughout all of California, including but not limited to: San Diego, Coronado Island, Downtown San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Century City, Westwood, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Culver City, Venice, Pacific Palisades, Marina Del Ray, San Francisco, Oakland, Northern California, and Fresno.

I’m available to Washington state residents, including but not limited to Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Shoreline, Woodinville, Redmond, Everett, and Spokane.

Lastly, I’m available to residents of North Carolina, including but not limited to Greenville, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Wilmington, Asheville, Boone, Outer Banks, and Winston-Salem.

I have been fully licensed to practice psychotherapy independently as a Marriage and Family Therapist since 2017.

I have completed specialized Level 1 and 2 Gottman training and Level 1 and 2 EFT couples therapy externship training. I have ten years of couples therapy experience with partners from diverse backgrounds, including military couples, same-sex couples, newly married couples, couples that have been married for decades, and couples considering divorce.

I have a special interest in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and Gottman Method Couples Therapy; I regularly learn more about applying these models in clinical practice.

For individual therapy, my primary area of clinical focus is working with adult survivors of childhood emotional abuse or neglect, otherwise known as complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD), developmental trauma, or attachment trauma. I also work extensively with individuals recovering from codependency and narcissistic emotional abuse, especially covert narcissistic abuse.

Education:
– BA, Family Psychology, University of Minnesota – 2011
– MS, Marriage and Family Therapy, East Carolina University – 2014

Certifications and Trainings:
– Prepare and Enrich Marriage Preparation and Enrichment – 2014
– Solution-Focused Brief Therapy – 2019
– Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Level 1 Externship – 2017
– Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Level 2 Core Skills – 2022
– Gottman Method Level One Training – 2018
– Gottman Method Level Two Training – 2022
– Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Level 1 Trauma Themes – 2022
– Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Level 2 Developmental Trauma Injuries – 2024

The work of Bessel Van Der Kolk, Pete Walker, Janina Fisher, Pat Ogden, John Gottman, and Sue Johnson have significantly contributed to how I approach therapy.