About My Practice

I opened my private practice in Lafayette, California with the goal of helping individuals and teens dealing with trauma, grief and loss, abandonment, self-injury and a history of abuse. I recognize how valuable an open, trusting relationship can be in helping individuals explore and understand personal and relationship challenges. During psychotherapy sessions, I offer a safe space and patient, compassionate support so you can share your experience without fear of judgment. With the right guidance and support, you can learn to recognize and manage difficult thoughts, emotions and stressors without becoming overwhelmed by grief, anger, sadness or a sense of helplessness. 

In addition to offering individual and teen therapy, I provide trauma-informed training classes and consulting for mental health professionals, educators, social workers and parents.

What to Expect

Consultation – During our 15-minute call, you can ask any questions you might have about working with me. We will discuss your situation and how I can help you find relief and reach your personal or relationship goals. At the end of our call, if you decide you would like to continue working together, we can discuss insurance and fees, then schedule your first session.

First Session – I ask that you try to arrive 10 minutes early, if you can, so you can fill out any necessary paperwork. As we begin, we will take a little time to review the paperwork and ensure that all of the appropriate areas have been completed. I then provide a brief summary of my approach, how we will work together and the stages of therapy we will move through as you work toward healing and growth. My goal is for us to build an open and trusting connection, and I foster a safe, compassionate environment where you can feel secure and empowered. During this first session, we will also spend time discussing why you have chosen to come to therapy now and how I might be able to help you find lasting relief and recovery.

For teen clients, I ask that the parent(s) or guardian(s) accompany the teen to the office for the first session. This will allow us to go over paperwork, stages of therapy, how we will work together and confidentiality. I then ask the parent(s) and teen to describe what circumstances or challenges brought them into therapy. After a time, I excuse the parent(s) back to the waiting room, giving the teen and me a chance to discuss who they are and what they hope to get out of therapy.

Continuing Sessions – At the end of the first session, I will ask you to take time at home to think about whether you would like to continue therapy sessions. It is important that you are able to build an open and trusting relationship with your therapist, and only you can decide if we are a good match. Every few sessions, we will take time to discuss whether we are on the right track and to determine if we are still experiencing the chemistry and connection necessary to help you get where you want to go next.

Insurance

I am currently not taking any insurance

Methods of Payment

I accept cash or check. Psychotherapy clients pay at the beginning or end of each session. Training contractors pay either immediately upon completion of the training or once I send a bill, depending on what works best.

Cancellation Policy

I have a 24-hour cancellation policy for psychotherapy clients. Session fees will be due in full if a cancellation is made 24 hours or less in advance. However, I understand that some circumstances are outside of our control, and we can negotiate in case of an emergency.

How Long Does Each Session or Training Take?

Psychotherapy sessions last 50 minutes. Training classes are either 3, 4, 6 or 8 hours long, and we can discuss which training would work best for your organization’s needs, goals and budget.

When Do You Meet With Clients?

I am in my office and available to meet with psychotherapy clients on Monday and Thursday afternoons. Trainings can be scheduled for mornings, afternoons or full days, depending on your needs.