+ How does therapy work?

People seek therapy for various reasons, including: a crisis, major life changes, difficulty in relationships, personal growth, etc. In the first few sessions, I get to know you, your strengths and stressors, and what you'd like from therapy. Afterwards, we collaboratively make a plan to help you get from where you are now to where you want to be.

In the early stages, I meet with clients once a week for 50 minutes to build good momentum up front (and give you the most bang for your buck!).

After we address immediate concerns, underlying relationship patterns, and unmet emotional needs, we would gradually space out sessions as you “replicate therapy outside of therapy” (or integrate new skills and resources into your day-to-day life), until you feel like you're ready to end therapy.

Since no two people are the same, therapy looks differently for each person. My goal is to customize the space according to what you desire and need.

+ Is therapy right for me?

In order for meaningful change to occur, we must first know WHAT we're dealing with, so that we can DO something about it. The less we know, the more we go into a reactive "autopilot" mode, which usually generates more issues and leads us deeper into trouble.

If you feel like you run into the same problems over and over again, therapy can help you get "unstuck" by:

• revealing your reactive patterns of thinking, feeling, doing, and relating (the WHY you do what you do) and
• equipping you with new ways of living (the HOW to do things differently).

No significant, lasting change can be attained without intentional effort and practice. Changing lifelong patterns is hard work, but definitely doable - and you won't be doing it alone!

Much like a personal trainer, I am committed to finding which emotional workout methods that are well suited to your needs and goals, saving you precious time and energy for what matters most to you.

+ Do you work with kids, teens, or couples?

I only work with adult individuals, but can provide referrals to some trusted colleagues who specialize in working with kids, teens and couples.

+ Are we a good fit?

That is a question that only you can answer! I work really well for some people, and not so well for others.

As a therapist who "translates emotions" into English, how you feel matters to me. It’s important for you to feel safe enough to explore painful areas of your life; it's my job to create such a space for you. Your experiences deserve the utmost of care.

Trust your intuition (gut), and ask a lot of questions. After a few sessions, if you feel like I "get" you where you're at, that's a good sign.

If it feels like we're not connecting (for whatever reason), that's alright - I won't take it personally! Please let me know, and I will gladly point you towards someone who may better serve you.

My main areas of focus are:

1. Emotional Health - difficult emotions (anxiety, depression, guilt, shame, numbness, anger), trauma, addiction, self-esteem
2. Relational Health - family relationships, romantic relationship, abuse, boundaries

Special focus on:

• Highly Sensitive Persons
• Enneagram 1s (Reformers), 2s (Helpers), 4s (Individualists), and 9s (Peacemakers)
• LGBTQ+ Persons of Faith (and their loved ones)

+ How often or how long will I need to come to therapy?

It depends on how much stress or emotional reactivity you are experiencing during this time: the higher your level of stress and reactivity, the more you may benefit from coming in frequently (at least once a week). The more resources, safe connections, and self-control you feel you have, the more space you can have between sessions.

The frequency and length of session also depends on whether you are wanting to focus on a single, isolated topic (e.g., the trauma of a car accident) or on several, interconnected topics (e.g., self-esteem and relationships).

It's important for me to help you get back on your feet as soon as possible. Whatever resources or skills I recommend is with that in mind, all while honoring your own personal journey and ability to decide what works best for you.

+ What happens during the first counseling session?

The main purpose of the first session is for me to get to know you. I will be asking some of the following questions:

• "What brings you to therapy at THIS time in your life?
• What are the most pressing concerns you have?
• If you summarize your whole life into a few significant moments, what would they be?
• How would you like for your life/relationships to be different?

+ How much do sessions cost?

$275 for a 50-minute session. Longer sessions available if appropriate.

In certain situations, you may qualify for a lower fee. At the moment, all my sliding scale spots are filled.

+ Can I use my insurance?

I am out-of-network and do not bill insurance. However, I can provide you with a "superbill," a detailed invoice that also includes diagnosis information that you may submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. You may do this on the insurance company's member website or portal.

Contact your insurance provider to see if they cover out-of-network services.

Here's a video explaning various payment options for therapy: https://youtu.be/mJ5RZ2SJiX4

+ Where do sessions take place?

I typically offer both in-person and online sessions. At the moment, I am only offering online sessions out of COVID-related safety precautions.

In-person sessions:

14639 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA 95070

Online sessions (only in California): Through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video link provided per session that can be accessed via computer, tablet, or phone.

+ What's the difference between EMDR and Brainspotting?

Some people need more clarity and understanding about what they're going through; in that case, conversations and reading materials/podcasts may be suitable. Others may need the chance for their physical bodies to "clear out" emotional symptoms through EMDR or Brainspotting, which are specific forms of trauma treatment.

Depending on the how stressful your current circumstances are and how many resources and supportive relationships you do or don't have at the moment, you and I would determine which resources and approach would be helpful for you to use between sessions.

Though I am trained in both EMDR and Brainspotting, I am Certified in Brainspotting (which is my main form of trauma therapy).

The main difference between these is:

• EMDR - more structured, easier to measure progress, but can feel more rigid and "head-y"/intellectual.
• BSP - more flexible and spontaneous, can be effective for processing experiences that are hard to describe with words.

Most people who have tried both say that they prefer Brainspotting, as it is less protocoled and more intuitive than EMDR.

Here's a short video which elaborates on the two.

+ Do I need to be Christian?

Not at all! All you need is the desire to upgrade your lifelong patterns and the readiness to show up and do the work.

Although my formal training as a Marriage & Family Therapist has been originally in Christian settings, our work will primarily reflect who you are and where you are in your own journey. My training gives me more "fluency" to speak "Christianese" for the clients who find it an integral part of their journey.

Some clients prefer for faith to be a central part of their therapy process; others prefer to leave spirituality at the door. Whatever arrangement that works best for you is what I'd like to honor.

The main way that my own faith will show up is in my commitment to see you as awonderfully unique,imperfect but valuable,struggling but resilient human beingworthy of love and belonging. Wherever you may be in your walk, there is space for you here.

+ Do you provide letters for emotional support animals (ESA)?

Helping clients get ESA animals is not within my area of experience, however this is a service that does ESA letters, they can help you get what you need. Click here to learn more.