I've never been to therapy before. What can i expect?
Therapy doesn't look the same for each person, however here are some general expectations:
- brief intake paperwork
- regularly scheduled sessions to explore your presenting problem(s). Areas of exploration might be: formative childhood experiences, trauma, identity exploration, emotion management, sexuality, relationships, stressors, life goals, depression/anxiety, & more
- a safe, affirming, & nonjudgemental space to collaboratively explore, process, & take action in various aspects of your life
- implementing changes in your life such as new behavior patterns, new ways of handling emotions or stress, or new ways of communicating. I may suggest books, videos, or other activities
What happens in a consultation?
My complimentary 20 minute phone consultations are a chance to get to know me and my therapy style, ask questions, and share about your mental health needs.
Who is therapy for?
Therapy is for anyone who feels their experiences, emotions, behaviors, or patterns are holding them back from who they want to be in life. I hold space for anyone with the courage to work towards new & better outcomes for their health.
Will anyone find out I am in therapy?
Everything talked about in therapy is kept confidential, except for a few exemptions (active intent to harm yourself or another identifiable person, or child, elder, and dependent adult abuse). I provide an in-depth explanation of the limits of confidentiality to you at the beginning of therapy. Otherwise, no one will know you are in therapy unless you tell them, or choose to sign a release of information for me to coordinate with other care team members (ex. psychiatrist, case manager, insurance, etc.).
Do you offer in-person and telehealth sessions?
Yes- telehealth to all residents of CA (Zoom) & in-person sessions (Costa Mesa, CA) for therapy. Coaching and presentation clients can be outside of CA.
What is your cancellation policy?
I really value our time together, & I hope you do too! In order to be fair to your time & mine, I have a 24 hour cancellation policy. A late cancellation or no show is subject to your regular session fee. Thank you for your advance notice if plans change. If you struggle with scheduling & time management, let's talk about it together! I send appointment reminders via email for every scheduled session.
Do you take insurance?
To protect client privacy & service integrity, I do not accept insurance. If desired, I can provide you with a super bill which may qualify you for insurance reimbursement. I strongly encourage you to check with your insurance provider about coverage & reimbursement.
What are the benefits of therapy?
The benefits of therapy are numerous and vary from person to person. Some benefits my patients have noticed are:
- Increased emotion management/regulation
- Increased self confidence/love
- Reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms
- More effective communication
- More useful thought patterns
- Reduced self harm behaviors
- More satisfying relationships
- Increased decision making ability
- Reduced stress
- Identities/expressions that feel right for them
- Increased physical health through lifestyle changes
- Reduction/moderation in substance use if applicable
- Finding words/identities that feel right
- Reduced trauma symptoms
- Increased emotion management/regulation
- Increased self confidence/love
- Reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms
- More effective communication
- More useful thought patterns
- Reduced self harm behaviors
- More satisfying relationships
- Increased decision making ability
- Reduced stress
- Identities/expressions that feel right for them
- Increased physical health through lifestyle changes
- Reduction/moderation in substance use if applicable
- Finding words/identities that feel right
- Reduced trauma symptoms
What happens if, as a patient, I run into you outside of therapy (for example, at a store, event, or restaurant)?
Our community is small but mighty! This means we might run into each other in public. Per confidentiality guidelines, I am not allowed to acknowledge my patients in public spaces in order to protect your privacy. If you decide you want to break confidentiality & acknowledge me, you're welcome to greet me in public (if desired and appropriate). You are welcome to follow my professional queer mental health educational & advocacy Instagram account @queer_therapist.
What are your fees?
Thank you for supporting a queer provider! Offering quality & accessible mental health care for the LGBTQ community & beyond is a priority to me. My fees reflect my formal education, lived experiences, licensing fees, business costs, & continued education. Those able to commit to my full rate directly support individuals with limited resources. A limited sliding scale is available. Flexible spending can be used for mental health services, along with cash & card. Please contact me for specific fee details.
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical & mental health care will cost.
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, & any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical & mental health care will cost.
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, & any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
