FAQ
Why should I invest in therapy?
Therapy is a financial commitment. It’s an investment in yourself and your ability to become aware of old patterns and become more capable of practicing new, more effective thoughts and behaviors. Therapy can profoundly and positively impact your future relationships, your work, your health, and even your finances. If you’re like most of the individuals I’ve worked with, you’ve likely already invested a lot of time and energy and money into your education, your career, your home, and your physical health. I truly believe that investing in therapy as an act of self-care can be a continued investment in your overall wellbeing and success in life. Check out this article for more detailed information: http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/neuropsychiatry/
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I only want to come into therapy every other week. Is that something you do?
While I can appreciate the urge and desire to come to therapy every other week, I only see clients on a weekly basis. Psychotherapy works best within the context of a trusting and caring relationship and, in my experience, it takes weekly sessions to create a strong, and effective enough container that allows for us to deepen the work and for you to experience the change you desire. Working on an every other week basis simply doesn’t allow the work and change to deepen or happen as quickly and as effectively.
How do I know if you’re the right therapist for me?
Choosing a therapist is a very personal decision. Therapy is only as effective as the relationship between therapist and client and because of this I believe the best way to determine if a psychotherapist is right for you is to book a session and simply meet with her or him and to trust your instincts when you are with them. Ask yourself: “Can I see myself feeling safe and comfortable with this person? Does it seem like they *get* me ?” You can also ask yourself this question during and after an initial phone consult before you book that first session.
What kind of clients do you work with?
I work with adults and teens and additionally supervise interns.
How does therapy work?
Essentially, my job is to create safety and undo aloneness so you can free yourself to be yourself. Here is how it works.
When something really bad happens and we feel powerless to control our environment or our future, we create a psychological strategy to protect ourselves. These are called defenses.
Defenses are not bad things; without them we literally couldn’t function.
The bad news is that defenses can interfere with your quality of life … your ability to love and be loved, to pursue goals or experience self worth. When that happens, my job is to help you work through or around these defenses. Many of these defenses developed outside of your conscious awareness during vulnerable times throughout your past. They are no longer necessary and are depriving you of experiencing the life that you want. Gently and compassionately, we dissolve these defenses so you can know and express your real nature.
I do this by helping you connect with yourself as deeply as you are capable. I also help you connect with me in an honest and deep way so you can experience the essential safety and security you need in order to heal. As we work together, new restorative experiences associated with feeling loved and whole become available to you. Your relationship to yourself, your life and others starts to deepen and expand. Fear gives way to freedom and curiosity. Anger gives way to acceptance. And sorrow eases, creating room for resilience, love and self- activation.
What can I expect from our first session?
Our first in-person meeting is what’s known as an intake session. It’s different from a traditional therapy session because this will be a time for me to gather your case history, and together we’ll talk about why you have decided to pursue therapy and what your goals are for our time together. It’s also an opportunity for you to get to know me, to ask me any questions you may have, and to see how you feel in my office and with me.
How long does therapy last? How will I know when I’m done?
The duration of therapy looks different for everyone. For some, six months following an acute stressor (such as a breakup or loss of a loved one) is adequate. For others looking to change deeply rooted patterns and belief systems, the process may take longer. On average, I see my clients for minimum 12 months. You can trust that you and I will keep checking in throughout our work together to determine if it feels appropriate and timely to end therapy.
Why do I need a therapist? Why can’t I just talk to a friend or a family member?
A friend or family member is not professionally trained to help you grow, heal and change. It’s likely that your friends and family have been giving you their best advice for some time now, and if it were sufficient, you probably wouldn’t be reading this. But here is why your friend’s advice is different from a therapist. Your friends want to maintain your friendship so they will probably tell you what they want to hear. Also, they will give advice that is based on their life’s experience. A trained therapist is interested in helping you find your own answers by helping you connect with what is true and right for you.
If I go to therapy there must be something wrong with me; I should be able to handle this/figure it out on my own, right?
Making the decision to seek out therapy isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a wise act of self-care to reach out for support from professionals when there’s a challenge you need help with. You’d reach out to a doctor for help setting your broken bone or to a lawyer if you needed help filing divorce paperwork, wouldn’t you? When it comes to your mental and emotional health it’s no different. Reaching out for professional support is an act of self-care to address the challenges you’re facing.
Do you have expertise in working with issues like mine?
I invite you to read more about my areas of expertise and if you would like more information about whether or not my skills would be a good match for you at this time, contact me so we can set up a complimentary 20-minute phone call.
How do you work as a therapist?
As your therapist, I work to create a safe and special environment where, for 50 minutes each week, the world can slow down and together we can compassionately explore, understand, and transform behaviors, thoughts and patterns that may be holding you back from ultimately living the life you want to live. My style as a therapist is warm and engaging. When we work together as therapist and client, it’s actually the relationship between us that becomes the therapy in addition to the all of the ways we explore, address and clarify the content you bring into the room.
How long is a therapy session?
Therapy sessions are 50 minutes in length. Occasionally, and as my schedule permits, my clients will book a double session of 100 minutes if they are experiencing a crisis or acute stress in their lives that week.
Is what I share confidential?
Yes. What you share with me in our sessions is confidential except in the case of: 1) immediate threat of harm to self or other, 2) suspicion of child or dependent elder abuse, 3) in the case of a court subpoena. We’ll discuss all of this and my other office policies during your initial intake session.
Where are you located? Is there parking?
I am located at 2019 17th Street in San Francisco in a beautiful Victorian building. My office is central and conveniently located. I am one block from the Potrero Hill Whole Foods. Multiple bus lines are close by including the 19, 22, and 10. There is often street parking close to my office. Finally, there is a cozy, sunshine-filled deck off the waiting area. Please help yourself to tea and water when you arrive.
What if you’re not the right therapist for me?
Choosing the “right” therapist can sometimes feel overwhelming and confusing and I want to help you make this decision and feel totally at ease about booking a session with me. I encourage you to set up a 20-minute consult call so I can answer any remaining questions you have.
