Below, you will find the answer to many common questions that people have about my practice. If you have a question that this not covered below, please Reach Out. I would love to answer any other questions you might have!

 

How often do I need to go to therapy?

The frequency of sessions will vary from client to client based on their needs, availability, and financial means. Most commonly, I see clients either weekly or biweekly. I recommend that clients start weekly to get to know you and to help you start finding relief quicker. Once they are feeling more stable, treatment can then transition to biweekly meetings. I will only see clients biweekly if a client's therapy needs can be met with this frequency.

Additionally, I do not see clients more than once a week; if weekly therapy is not enough support, I will provide referrals for services that offer more care. During a free phone consultation, I can assess your specific needs and make recommendations on the frequency of sessions I think would be best for you.

How long does therapy last?

The length of therapy treatment will vary from client to client based on their therapy goals, progress toward those goals, and any limitations clients might have (schedule, financial feasibility, etc.). I provide both short-term (12 sessions or less) and long-term therapy. During the phone consultation and intake session, I can assess your individual needs and treatment goals to provide a more accurate estimation.

If an individual is interested in short-term therapy, I provide a more solution-focused approach, working on a specific goal or goals we can feasibly complete or find significant progress on during this treatment period. A solution-focused approach helps people find relief in the current moment but may not address all the core reasons behind a client’s issues. A longer-term treatment can also be solution-focused, but with extended time, we can focus on a wider variety of goals and help to address the core reasons behind current issues. Understanding the whole reasoning behind the challenges we face can often help with longer-term relief.

People often enter therapy with one specific goal in mind, but the exploration and insight therapy can provide often leads to the creation of other goals along the way. It is also an option to start short-term treatment with the possibility of extending it if requested. We can check in at various times on your therapy goals and timelines.

What is your cancellation policy?

I have a 24-hour cancellation policy. Therefore, if you need to cancel an appointment, for any reason, please notify me as soon as possible. I charge a full session fee for missed appointments or cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice.

Where is your office?

I provide in-person therapy in Los Feliz, address:

1910 Hillhurst Ave,

Los Angeles, CA 90027

My office is at the corner of Franklin and Hillhurst, across from the Alcove Cafe. The office is located on the second floor of the building and has an elevator for those in need.

The office is not far from Silver Lake, East Hollywood, Hollywood, Echo Park, Atwater, Burbank, Studio City, Glassell Park, Thai town, Little Armenia, Glendale, and Central Los Angles.

Do you have parking at the office?

There is no parking available at the office. Give yourself 10-15 min to find street parking in the area. Often you will find parking right off Franklin Ave, Common Wealth Ave, Rodney Dr, Rosalia Rd, or even further down Hillhurst.

When do you meet with clients? 

My therapy office hours are below, but my open availability varies. Please reach out or schedule a free phone consult to learn my current availability. Keep in mind that I often have limited open session times after 4 pm.

Monday: 9 am-6:30 pm (In-Person + Online Therapy)

Tuesday: 9 am-6:30 pm (In-Person + Online Therapy)

Wednesday: 9 am-6:30 pm (Online Therapy only)

Thursday: 9 am-6:30 pm (In-Person + Online Therapy)

What happens in the first session?

I understand that clients are often still shopping around for a therapist during their first session with me.  I encourage people to talk with or meet with multiple therapists before deciding on one they “click” with best. If that is me, great! If it is someone else, that is also great. Ultimately, I want you to find the best fit for you.

The first session will start with reviewing and answering any questions about the intake paperwork you completed before the session. The intake paperwork covers practice policies, confidentiality, privacy information, and consent to therapy, and it is completed and stored using a secure electronic health record system. I will also answer any questions you might have about treatment, my practice, and what to expect.

We will then start wherever you want to start, and I will help if you are unsure where to begin. Throughout the session, I will ask questions to clarify and better understand all the systems, relationships, and issues you bring up and how they function in or relate to your life. My hope for the first meeting is that I will gain a broad understanding of your life, what issues you are facing, and what therapy goals you have, and then develop a plan for how I can help.

At the end of this session, I will provide my initial assessment of where I feel therapy with me can help you. I can then give feedback on what I can provide in therapy, how I can specifically help, and what that would look like. Lastly, I can also estimate how long I believe it would take for you to feel significant improvements through therapy and answer any other questions you might have.

I like to provide this information for you so that you can make an informed decision on whether you would like to continue working together. As mentioned above, I assume the first session is part of the client’s journey in shopping around for the right therapist fit. At the end of our first session, I will ask if you would like to set up another appointment, but there is absolutely no pressure to do so!

How do I set up my first appointment?

Start by scheduling a Free 10 to 15-minute phone consultation so I can learn about you and share how I might be able to help with your specific situation! Then, if you feel my services are right for you, we can set up our first session during the call.

Are you a religious counselor? 

No, I am not a religious counselor, and I have no religious affiliation. However, this does not mean that religion and religious beliefs are not sometimes part of my therapy sessions if it’s important to my clients. If my clients have grown up in religious households or have religious beliefs, I find it helpful to include religion in the counseling process, but it is always the client's choice to talk about this subject and only when they are ready.

Are you an LGBTQ+ affirmative therapist?

Yes! I welcome all clients in my practice, regardless of their sexual orientation, preferences, practices, identities, or relationship styles.

Do you provide couples counseling or family therapy? Child or teen therapy?

No, I provide only individual therapy to adults over the age of 18+

Do you work with clients interested in discussing intimacy and sexuality? 

Yes, let's talk about sex! Whether it is your main therapy goal or something that comes up during treatment, I am ready to explore this topic with you. At some point during treatment, the subject of sex usually comes up, as sexuality is an integral part of the human experience. I enjoy helping people develop healthier relationships with themselves and their sexuality and have more satisfying relationships with others.

Do you provide therapy to other therapists?

Yes! In fact, I love providing therapy to other therapists. Some therapists may feel intimidated by this type of dynamic, but I find it both challenging and rewarding. Many therapists already have good insight into their own lives and have an enhanced ability to be introspective.

I love collaborating with other therapists and providing my outside perspective to help them better understand themselves and how they interact with the world.  See my Services for Therapists page to learn more.

How can I get the most out of counseling?

Results from therapy will greatly depend on the client's commitment and motivation. The client must be ready for change and be open to applying what is learned in sessions to their life. I am a therapist that will help you problem solve, provide you with strategies, and teach you coping skills. Some clients are even open to continuing their growth through books, podcasts, or homework I recommend, but it is ultimately the client's choice how much they use my feedback and recommendations. As with many things in life, oftentimes the more you put in, the more you will get out.

Will my counseling sessions be confidential?

Yes, but there are some exceptions. As your therapist, I am legally prohibited from revealing to another person that you are in therapy with me, nor can I reveal what you have said to me in any way that identifies you without your written permission. However, in the following instances, your right to confidentiality must be set aside as required by law or professional guidelines:

• If I suspect child abuse, elder abuse, or abuse of a dependent adult.
• If a client reveals clear and imminent intent to harm themself or others.
• If ordered by the court.

If you want me to discuss information from our sessions with someone else, you must sign a HIPAA release form. In our first session, we will discuss confidentiality and its limits more fully.

Can I contact you outside of our sessions?

Clients can contact me if they need to cancel or reschedule appointments. However, I do not provide text therapy or therapy through email between sessions. If you need more support between sessions, I can do my best to set up another meeting earlier than scheduled. If clients are constantly needing support outside of sessions, I might provide referrals for other organizations that can offer more services than I can provide. If you are experiencing an emergency, please visit your nearest emergency room or visit my Emergency Services page to find immediate assistance.

Do you prescribe medication?

No, I do not prescribe medication. If you are looking for psychotropic medication, you will need to look for a psychiatrist, physician's assistant, or psychiatric nurse practitioner. If you have a primary care physician, they can also prescribe this type of medication.

Do you write Emotional Support Animal (ESL) letters?

No, this is outside my scope of practice. I do not have the training to make this determination.