What is a Marriage and Family Therapist?

Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT’s) are psychotherapists licensed by the state of California to provide counseling and psychotherapy services for a wide range of issues.

What is the difference between counseling and psychotherapy?

Counseling is short-term treatment that is a practical approach to achieving personal and professional goals. Psychotherapy is longer-term, deeper treatment that gets into the underlying issues that provide a greater self-awareness, create personal growth and change from the inside out. The approach taken will depend on your individual needs.

What services do you provide?

I work with individuals-adults and adolescents, couples, families and groups.

My primary areas of practice are in relationship issues, depression, anxiety or stress, self-esteem, bereavement after suicide and hypnosis with a primary focus on test preparation, especially for licensure exams and sport performance.

How long are the sessions and how often do we meet?

Sessions are typically 45-minutes but may be shorter or longer depending upon the treatment approach..

Generally, we would meet once a week. If you are going through a really tough time, then we would discuss the benefits to coming in 2-3 times a week, generally for a limited amount of time. As things get better, it would be reasonable to move toward meeting less often.

How confidential are the sessions?

I value confidentiality highly and do not disclose information from our sessions. The rare exceptions would be if I am concerned that you may be a danger to yourself or others, then, we would talk about this to insure that you or others remain safe from harm. We can talk more about other exceptions to confidentiality when we meet.

I want to provide a safe, confidential, non-judgmental atmosphere where your issues and concerns are given the careful attention they, and you, deserve.

Tell me about payment and insurance.

Many people prefer to pay out of pocket for counseling services. You will be responsible to pay the full fee at the time of each appointment unless other arrangements are agreed upon.

My psychotherapy services may be covered as an “out of network provider.” In these instances, your insurance company may reimburse you for my services. If you decide to use your insurance, I will provide you with a monthly statement that you can then submit to your company. I would recommend you review your out of network mental health benefits with your insurance company.

I choose to be an out of network provider because I want to preserve the privacy and sacredness of the confidential therapeutic relationship. I believe that your treatment is your business and you, not your insurance company, get to control any information pertaining to your sessions. Health insurance companies require a mental health diagnosis to cover behavioral health visits.

Insurance companies can share mental health diagnostic information with other insurance companies and I wouldn’t want others to have confidential information that could be used judgmentally, and, consequently, make it more expensive or difficult for you in the future to get health, life and disability insurances, by putting into record a mental health diagnosis that later would be called a Pre-Existing Condition.

Most people agree with this and, therefore, choose not to submit to insurance.

What are your fees?

My fee for a 45-minute session is discussed prior to starting therapy/counseling. Payment is due at each session unless other arrangements are mutually agreed upon.

If there are extenuating circumstances, we can discuss them and I will take them into consideration in setting the fee.

What form of payment do you accept?

I accept cash, checks or credit cards at the time of each visit. If you use a credit card for payment, your fee for services will include a percentage to cover merchant fees. I prefer payment at the beginning of the session for the balance of the session can then be spent focusing on you.

Do you offer a free phone consultation?

Yes, I offer a complimentary 20-minute phone consultation for prospective clients. Please feel free to call me at 310.289.4643 to set up a time to talk about any questions you may have and how I can help.

What is your cancellation policy?

Since your sessions are reserved specifically for you, a minimum 48-hour notice is required to cancel or reschedule your appointment. You will be charged in full if 48-hour notice is not given or you miss an appointment.

I will be happy to discuss your special work related needs if they would effect your regularly scheduled appointments.

How do I get started?

Great! I’d love to hear from you. Just call me at 310.289.4643

Remember…..the most important factor in securing effective therapy is a good relationship between you and your therapist. Therapy works best when you are open to it and are actually willing to participate in your own healing.