F A Q s

Frequently Asked Questions

  • My office is located in Pasadena, CA—the address will be shared once intake forms are completed. I generally see clients in person on Mondays and Tuesdays, but I’m flexible and can accommodate your schedule. During your free consultation, we can discuss your availability and set up a regular appointment time that works for you.

  • Yes! Virtual therapy sessions are available for all clients residing in California.

    Research shows that online therapy can be as effective as in-person sessions (Hedman et al., 2014). If you opt for virtual therapy, ensure you have a private space with a reliable internet connection. Sessions are conducted on a HIPAA-compliant version of Zoom, and you’ll receive a link automatically when you book your appointment.

    While virtual therapy offers convenience and flexibility, its effectiveness varies depending on individual needs and the nature of the issues being addressed. Because I incorporate somatic work and intuitive touch, I generally don’t recommend virtual therapy for trauma-related concerns. We can discuss the best approach for your situation during or after your free consultation.

  • Individual Psychotherapy and Professional Engagements:
    My rate for individual psychotherapy and most other forms of professional engagement (e.g., consulting with another medical provider, caregiver, school, etc.) is $180 per 50-minute session. I offer a limited number of sliding scale spots for those experiencing financial hardship or extenuating circumstances. If you require a sliding scale arrangement, please discuss this with me during your free consultation.

    Relationship Counseling:
    For relationship counseling, which includes couples or family sessions, my rate is $210 per 50-minute session or $275 for a 90-minute session.

    Payment is due before the start of each appointment.

    Additional Fees:
    If you become involved in legal proceedings that require my participation, I will charge for my professional time and services, even if I am called to testify by another party. My fee for preparation and attendance at any legal proceeding is $450 per hour. Bills and receipts will be provided at the end of each session, and payment is expected upon receipt unless otherwise agreed upon.

    Wondering why therapy is so expensive? Check out this blog post.

  • I do not accept insurance of any kind. To understand why, please read this blog.

    If you have insurance, please be aware that your insurance provider may reimburse you for “out-of-network” services, typically with PPO plans. I recommend checking with your provider before our first session to understand your coverage. Upon request, I can provide you with a Superbill, which you can submit to your insurance provider for any potential reimbursement. Please note that payment for services is collected upfront.

  • Your scheduled appointment time is reserved specifically for you, and consistent attendance is crucial to the effectiveness of treatment. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please provide written notice via text or email at least 24 hours ahead of your scheduled appointment. I understand that emergencies and unforeseen circumstances can arise and I'm flexible in such situations.

    The full session fee will be charged for late arrivals, early departures, missed appointments, or cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice in non-emergency situations or if attendance is inconsistent.

  • I offer a 20-minute free consultation call to help us determine if we’re a good fit. Just like any long-term, intimate relationship, it’s important that we both feel comfortable and at ease from the start.

    During this call, you’ll have the opportunity to share some background about yourself, your current concerns, and what brought you to seek therapy. I’ll briefly introduce myself and provide an overview of my approach and the therapy process.

    We’ll also discuss fees, scheduling, and then check in at the end to see if we’d like to move forward with scheduling your first appointment.

  • Paperwork:
    We’ll review your intake paperwork, which typically includes consent forms, privacy policies, and information about your rights as a client. This paperwork is essential for establishing a clear and ethical therapeutic relationship.

    Assessment:
    We’ll discuss your reasons for seeking therapy, your goals, and any specific issues you’d like to address. I may ask questions to better understand your personal history, current circumstances, and emotional well-being.

    Confidentiality:
    I’ll explain the principles of confidentiality and its limits, ensuring you understand the boundaries of privacy in our therapeutic relationship.

    Treatment Plan:
    Together, we’ll outline a treatment plan that includes the therapeutic approach or techniques we’ll use and an estimated timeframe for therapy. We’ll also set initial goals based on what you hope to achieve.

    Questions:
    I encourage you to ask any questions or seek clarification on anything related to the therapy process, my approach, or any other concerns you might have.

    Please note that the specifics of your first appointment may vary depending on your situation (e.g., if you’re in crisis) or the focus of the intake session. This time also allows you to assess whether you feel comfortable and confident working with me. Open communication is key to a successful therapeutic journey, so feel free to express your needs and expectations during our initial session.

  • The length of your therapy process can vary depending on several factors, including the specific issues you’re addressing, your goals, and your progress in therapy. It’s a collaborative process, and together we’ll assess your needs and set realistic expectations for the duration.

    Some individuals benefit from short-term therapy, lasting a few weeks to a few months, while others may engage in longer-term therapy that can extend for several months or even years. Ultimately, the duration of your therapy will depend on your unique circumstances and our ability to work together effectively toward your therapeutic objectives. We’ll regularly evaluate your progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.

  • For clients who are 18 years or older, confidentiality is legally protected, regardless of who is paying for the therapy. This means that I cannot disclose details about the content of our sessions to parents or guardians without the client’s explicit written consent. While I understand that parents or guardians may have concerns or questions, my primary obligation is to maintain the privacy and trust of my client. Any information shared with parents or guardians will be strictly limited to what the client has agreed to disclose.

    We can discuss and clarify any questions about privacy and confidentiality during the initial consultation or at any point during the therapy process.

    Parent or Guardian Check-Ins: To better support my clients, including minors and their parents, I offer complimentary check-ins that last 15 minutes or less. However, if a check-in or other non-therapy contact extends beyond 15 minutes, it will be treated as a session, with the time prorated according to my standard fee.

  • Under the federal No Surprises Act, healthcare providers are required to provide clients who are not utilizing insurance with an estimate of the anticipated costs for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You are entitled to request a Good Faith Estimate for the complete expected expenses of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy, either before scheduling a service or at any point during your treatment. If you receive a bill that exceeds your Good Faith Estimate by at least $400, you have the option to contest the bill. It's important to retain a copy or a photo of your Good Faith Estimate. For inquiries or more details regarding your right to a Good Faith Estimate and how to challenge a bill, please visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

  • An AMFT, or Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, is a therapist who has completed a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field and is working towards full licensure as an LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist). As an AMFT, I have completed the necessary education and am actively working under the supervision of a licensed professional to hone my skills and meet the requirements for full licensure.

  • Choosing to see an AMFT offers several unique benefits. While I may still be working toward full licensure, I bring fresh, up-to-date knowledge from my recent studies and training. Supervision is a significant benefit to you as it allows me to conceptualize your case from multiple lenses. Regularly consulting with experienced supervisors ensures that I consider various perspectives and therapeutic approaches, which can enhance the quality and depth of care you receive.

    I bring a wealth of experience and specialized training in areas like somatic therapy, trauma therapy, and psychedelic integration. My diverse background, combined with a strong commitment to ongoing learning and personal healing, allows me to offer a unique and deeply empathetic approach to therapy.

    Ultimately, whether you choose to work with an AMFT or an LMFT should be based on who you feel most comfortable with and who best meets your specific needs. I encourage you to explore your options and choose the therapist who resonates with you, whether that’s me or another professional.

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IN-PERSON THERAPY IN PASADENA | ONLINE THERAPY IN CALIFORNIA
Somatic Therapy in California • Trauma Therapy in California
Holistic Therapy in California • Psychedelic Therapy in California

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Associate Marriage & Family Therapist, CA #149677
Supervised by Leah Smith, LMFT CA #123783

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