The first step in beginning therapy is to meet for a 60-minute consultation. During that time, we will discuss your concerns in detail and how therapy can be helpful for you. Together, we can decide if, how, and when to proceed. There is no pressure to make a decision immediately about what to do. The choice to engage in this process is a big one. By nature, it requires a commitment.
Going forward, typically, individual therapy sessions are 50 minutes in length.
Couples' therapy sessions are either 60 or 75 minutes in length, depending upon the needs and preferences of the couple.
Psychotherapy is most effective at a minimum of one session per week. Treatment tends to be ineffective at anything less.
Types of Treatment
As a generalist, I have experience with a wide array of concerns that would prompt someone to seek help from a mental health professional. I am adept at working over a brief time frame, intermediate time frame, or from a more open-ended, exploratory time frame.
Individual Psychotherapy
Short Term:
Short term therapy is designed to be brief in nature, usually between two and six months, and is focused on one or two specific issues. It can be action-oriented and involves working with issues that are of concern in the present, such as a crisis, a big decision, or help in dealing with a distressing relationship matter.
Intermediate:
Intermediate length therapy is best when concerns are such that one needs more support from an ongoing relationship with a mental health professional. The goal is to increase self-awareness and resolve the conflicts presented. Intermediate therapy is more complex, in-depth, and focused on a broader array of concerns. It usually lasts between six months and two years.
Long Term:
Long term therapy, by definition, is any time frame of more than two years. It involves open-ended, exploratory work, affording the opportunity to delve into the origins of conflicts and concerns. This provides a framework for a deeper understanding of oneself.
Couples Psychotherapy
Couples treatment involves assisting with and providing support to a couple attempting to work on issues within their relationship. Examples of issues couples work on are: developing better communication, resolving marital discord, pre-marital planning, infidelity, navigating divorce, and general growth in understanding each other. Couples therapy is generally short-term or intermediate in length. It is not designed to be long-term in nature. However, there are exceptions given the interest and needs of the couple.
Fees and Payment
During our initial phone call, in-person, or video consultation, we can discuss my fees, as well as any concerns you may have about paying for psychotherapy. This is an investment in yourself. Working together, we can create a plan which allows us to work comfortably and continuously.
I am not an in-network provider on any insurance panels. However, a superbill will be provided at the end of each month for submission to your insurance company for reimbursement. If you need help understanding or working with your insurance, I am available to assist you. Payment is required within 30 days of receiving the bill via check or bank transfer.
Cancellations
Appointments are scheduled on an ongoing basis. The agreed-upon time is held exclusively for you. If you have to cancel for any reason, you may call my office giving at least 24-hour notice, Monday thru Friday. This notice does not include weekends. The 24-hour notice will avoid being charged for a missed appointment.
Emergencies and Messages
You can reach me by telephone at (310) 871-0042. Leave a confidential message at any time. Calls will be returned between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. – noon. Every effort is made to respond to all calls as soon as possible. Email and texting are only used for scheduling purposes, as these mediums are not confidential.