Warm & Transparent Mental Health Support

Therapy FAQs

  • Generally, I am in office Monday-Friday and see clients morning & afternoon. Don’t hesitate to reach out & ask about availability as this can often change.

    Frequency is up to you - though I can make recommendations based on our initial chats as we explore the problem. It is most common to meet on a weekly basis to start.

  • Therapists cannot prescribe medication for anxiety & other mental health issues. While in many cases, a combination of therapy & medication can be the best treatment option, it is not always necessary. Because I do not have the authority to prescribe medication, I can work in conjunction with your psychiatrist or primary care physician to help ensure that you are receiving collaborative care if desired.

  • Totally up to you, and nope. What I can say however, is that I know that none of us are exempt from pain. My mainly psychoanalytic background has me positioned to hear you, really see you, and accompany you on your journey toward transformation into a more grounded, confident, aware & authentic, you…. if you want.

    “And the time came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom” - Anais Nin

  • It all begins (& ends) with you. So many factors impact the answer to this question. It is natural to experience resistance and create speed bumps for ourselves along the way - remember, we’re human and hardwired for survival. Therapy is not meant to be comfortable, is often scary, and an incredibly brave decision to step into. Stay the course & strengthen your patience muscles. Showing up consciously & intentionally regardless, won’t hurt the pace. I.e As short or as long as you want/need.

  • No, I am not currently on any insurance panels. I choose not to work with insurance providers to ensure that each decision made about your psychotherapy treatment (such as length & frequency of treatment, and modalities utilized) is between you and I, not a third-party payer. I do accept HSA and FSA plans to cover as many sessions as allowed.

    **I am happy to provide a superbill upon request for you to submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement. Ask about sliding scale options - note that space is limited.

  • Rooted Soul Therapy offers a sliding scale fee for those who cannot afford the full fee.

    The sliding scale is designed to help those who do not have out-of-network coverage or have high insurance deductibles. The scale is based on availability, financial need, & generally offered on an honor system.

    Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask about your options!

  • Let’s talk about this!

    While CBT is often recommended due to its popularity and evidence-based label, it’s not the only one…

    CBT is skills-based and generally short-term. This can also mean that while your current problem is feeling “resolved”, a new & similar one may surface soon; leaving you frustrated with the same tools, having less and less of an effect on long-term struggles.

    My approach incorporates a combination of establishing skills for long-term success AND developing a deeper understanding of our problems with lasting confidence to manage them: Addressing the Root 🌱

    Without the critical piece of deepened understanding and strengthened awareness of patterns, it is not unlikely that you’ll find yourself in a similar position down the road: stuck, confused, frustrated & trying the next thing. Understandably so! You’re invested in your well-being, and I’m here to be honest with you.

    So, No, I’m not a CBT therapist if you’re just looking for skills. And, Yes, you will learn skills to accompany the new-found understanding of you.

  • Fair question! There are so many avenues for support so they can often times get confused...

    -Psychotherapist: known as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, trained to work with emotional & mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and relationship issues.

    -Psychiatrist: medical doctor who manages & prescribes psychiatric medication

    -Psychologist: doctorate-level clinician who can provide psychological testing as well psychotherapy

    -Counselor: general term for licensed clinicians as well as those who provide other types of counsel (i/e guidance or spiritual)

    -Clinical Social Worker: clinician who also has an educational background in social justice -Therapist: describes a number of different types of healing professionals (i/e massage, speech, occupational, mental health etc.)

    -Life coach: can support in different of areas of life but typically isn't licensed or regulated by a state board.

    I am a licensed Psychotherapist (LMFT #106125) in the state of CA.

"Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times. If one only remembers to turn on the light."

-ALBUS DUMBLEDORE, Hogwarts Headmaster

Preparing for your first therapy session

Nervous about your first session? Totally normal. Therapists are trained to help you feel more comfortable, and they expect that you’ll have some nerves coming into the session.

When preparing for your first session, it can help to bring along a list of conversation points.

  • symptoms or experiences that you’d like to address

  • current and past medications, and any notable side effects that occurred

  • your family’s mental health or medical history

  • any questions you have for your therapist, e.g., about their training, license, or specialties