Schedule a Call

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

General Questions

Where is your office?

We’ll be working together online, so we’ll meet in a private, comfortable location of your choosing. You can do your sessions on your computer, phone, or tablet after signing into our session link.

If necessary, I’ll offer a random phone session, but it’s not my preference because I like to be able to see you.

What are your office hours?
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM Pacific Time (11:00 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time).
How long are your sessions?

Individual and couples sessions are 50-minute weekly sessions.

If you’d like to dive deep with more intensive work, we can arrange a double session or two sessions a week.

How much do you charge?
I charge $200 per individual session and $250 per couples session.
How do I pay?
You pay by credit or debit card.
Do you take insurance?

I do not take insurance, but if your plan has out-of-network benefits, you may get a portion of session payments back.

I will send you a “Superbill” at the beginning of each month with all of the charges so you can apply for reimbursement from your carrier. Benefits vary, depending on your specific plan.

Can you help me file my insurance?
Over the years, I’ve stopped helping clients file insurance claims. It kept getting messy!
How do I make an appointment?
Call and leave a voice message, send me an email, or fill out the Contact form.
What is your cancellation policy?

I require 48 hours’ notice for all cancellations.

You can cancel by sending an email or calling and leaving a message.

Is your office accessible?
Yes! My office is accessible via your computer, phone, or tablet.
What is a free initial phone consultation?
A free initial phone consultation is where I call you to chat for about 15 minutes so you can ask any questions you may have and decide if we’re a good fit. If all is a go, I’ll email you some online forms to fill out before our first session.
What do I do to get started?

You’re doing it! Now, all you have to do is schedule a time for a free 15-minute consultation, which you can do by calling and leaving a voice message, emailing me, or filling out the Contact form.

I respond as quickly as I can, showing up for you right away!

Questions About Therapy

What age ranges do you work with?

I work with young adult and adult clients (anyone 18 years of age and older).

Do you work with women, men, or couples?

Yes. Even though my website is very “female” focused, my clients often bring their partners in for couples sessions.

I also see male and gender-nonconforming clients, too!

Are you LGBTQIA-friendly?
Absolutely!
Do you work with people from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and religions?
Yes!
Is there anyone you won’t see?
I won’t see clients outside of my scope of practice, but I’m happy to refer you to someone who is right for you.
What is therapy like with you?
Therapy with me is focused on getting you feeling better. It’s always very respectful and unfolds at the best pace for you.
How do you work with clients?

Logistically… we’ll work together online.

Emotionally… with a lot of space and respect.

Relationally… by building a sense of trust and safety.

Who is your perfect client?

My perfect client shows up to sessions ready to unload some dirty secrets and pain they’ve been carrying for years.

That alone makes them feel lighter, encouraging them to explore uncomfortable emotions and try new ways of being out of session.

What do you actually do in sessions with clients?

In sessions, I meet my clients where they are. So, I first check in to see if there’s any crisis(ish) stuff happening. If so, that’s where we’ll start.

If not, we either dive back into EMDR reprocessing to finish clearing out whatever we’ve been working on… or we have a talk therapy session where we focus more on exploring self-care and how to reduce the stress you’ve been experiencing that week.

What can I expect in the first session?
In the first session, I ask more questions than usual to get a better idea of who you are, what your goals may be, and where we’ll be headed in our therapy sessions.
Do your clients receive assignments between sessions?
If you want assignments, I have no trouble coming up with something. Often, my clients work on journal prompts or an art project outside of sessions.
What modalities do you use?

I use EMDR therapy, which includes mindfulness-based therapy and parts work.

I also bring in the occasional Gestalt psychology exercise to help when you need to practice standing up for yourself and honoring your voice.

What’s your professional training and experience?

I completed a two-year master’s degree in psychology at Antioch University in Los Angeles. I then accrued 3,000 hours of working with clients before passing the official Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) exam in California. From there, I became trained and certified in EMDR therapy. I’m now training to become an official EMDR consultant.

Apart from that, I’ve taken the Postpartum Support International (PSI) Perinatal Mental Health Certificate Course and the Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Course to gain even more expertise in the maternal mental health world.

I’ve done all of that while seeing clients in private practice since 2017.

What is your educational background?
I got my BA on the East Coast at Rutgers University (New Jersey) and my MA on the West Coast at Antioch University (California).
What else does a client need to know to make the most out of working with you?
If you are willing to meet me halfway and do your work, I am willing to go above and beyond to help you reach whatever goal you may have.
How long will I be in therapy?

That’s a good question. It really depends on each client, how much work they are willing to put into their healing, how much emotional awareness they have, their self-care, their attachment style, their trauma history, etc.

That said, I’ve seen clients reach their goals and feel great after five months of therapy. Others take a bit longer.

Does anyone cry in front of you?
Absolutely, and I love it because it shows strength, vulnerability, and dedication to the healing process.
Do I have to tell you everything?
Absolutely not. You don’t have to tell me anything you’re not willing to – ever.
Who benefits from therapy?
You and everyone you interact with.
Do you offer group therapy?
I offer a group focused on fertility struggles and EMDR consultation for therapists headed toward EMDR certification.
What else can I try to help myself?

Twelve-step groups, yoga, meditation, journaling, moving your body, massage, acupuncture with a skilled trauma specialist, reading self-help books, completing workbook exercises, getting on medication via a psychiatrist or your general practitioner… the list goes on and on.

But if at any point it becomes an emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room to receive immediate support.

How do I know if you are the right therapist for me?
Sometimes, it can take a few sessions to be sure, but you’ll know by trusting your feelings. Either you’ll feel good about our sessions and notice improvements in your life, or you’ll feel worse.
What is coaching?
Coaching is focused on optimizing performance. It does not require licensing, credentialing, or formal education.
Are you a Christian counselor?
Not specifically, but I have worked with and had success with Christian clients.
Is our work confidential?

As a therapist, I am required to keep what you share private, except in situations like safety concerns or legal requirements.

For couples, there are clear guidelines. I use a “no secrets” policy, which means I don’t keep information from one partner that the other doesn’t know. We’ll go over these rules together at the start to make sure everything is clear.

Do couples fight in front of you?
All the time.
Do you take sides?
No. I try to mediate and get both parties to hear each other and feel like their side is equally as important.

Questions About Me

How long have you been in practice?
Since 2017 officially, but I really took on the role of therapist and mediator in my family of origin from an extremely early age.
What are your strengths as a therapist?

I’m personable, kind, a good listener, super compassionate, and occasionally quite humorous!

I’ve experienced most of what my clients have experienced, so I’m not afraid to get into seemingly dark material.

What do you enjoy about being a therapist?
I love it all. I enjoy being that person – that glimmer of hope – that solid base relationship that people thought didn’t exist – to guide them into amazing next chapters of their lives.
Have you been in therapy yourself?
Absolutely… for almost 20 years.
What is the best way to get in touch with you?
Call and leave a message, email me, or fill out the Contact form on the site.
Do you prescribe medications?
No. Only a psychiatrist or general care physician can prescribe medications.
Are you licensed?
Absolutely!
Do you take notes?
Yes, I take a few notes after each session, which is consistent with ethical standards and professional expectations for practice as an LMFT.

Just For Fun Questions

Cats or dogs?

It depends on the day, really.

What made you want to become a therapist?

Is it okay to admit it’s from all my traumatic life experiences?

I wanted to show up and provide unwavering support and hope to clients – just as I received from all my therapists.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve learned about human behavior?
Sometimes, people can laugh at the “wrong” moments – like during therapy or in serious conversations about their trauma. It’s not disrespect; it’s their brain short-circuiting and trying to diffuse tension. It’s so human, and honestly, it can be contagious!
If you weren’t a therapist, what would you be doing instead?

I like the idea of living on some remote tropical island, running a quaint bed and breakfast.

What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?
Watching a sunset or taking a long, slow walk in nature.
What’s one book or movie that really changed how you see the world?
The book, Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of therapy that surprise people?
I speak Spanish fluently and love salsa dancing.
If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be?
I’d like to play the piano as well as Mozart.
What’s the weirdest piece of advice you’ve ever heard that actually works?
Peeling a frozen orange will naturally slow down your heart rate and reduce your anxiety level.
What’s a guilty pleasure you’re willing to admit?
I’ve watched and rewatched the series, “Jersey Shore” and “Jersey Shore: Family Vacation” more than the average person. I love it!
Do you ever find yourself using therapy techniques on friends or family?
Ahem – I feel called out. Of course! It’s really hard not to when you know they work so well (*insert face palm*).
What’s the most unusual place you’ve found inspiration for your work?
Probably the series, “Jersey Shore,” and watching the unhealed, unacknowledged, many layers of raging dysfunction.
If you could time travel, which era would you visit and why?
Probably the 19th century, the Regency era specifically, to get dressed up and live a day or two as a character in Bridgerton.
What brand of tissue do you use?
Kleenex all the way!
Should I wear waterproof mascara?
Nah. I really enjoy when clients sometimes leave sessions with their makeup a mess, uncaring, feeling refreshed, and ready to take on the world.
Am I allowed to ask personal questions?
You can always ask. Depending on the benefit to your therapy process and healing, I may answer.
What apps make your life better?

All bank apps that remember my face, so I don’t have to remember all my passwords (*insert sweaty smiley face*).