Frequently Asked Questions

I am so glad you’re here and are ready for change! The first step is to schedule a 15 minute Consultation Call to determine whether we are a good fit for each other. You can schedule a Consultation Call under the “BOOK” tab.

Once the Consultation Call is scheduled, you’ll receive a brief intake form to complete prior to the call — this form allows me to learn about what is bringing you to therapy and your treatment goals.

While I would be honored to be your therapist, establishing a strong therapeutic fit is essential for effective treatment.

If we agree to work together, we will schedule your Initial Assessment session. At that time, required intake paperwork will be sent for you to complete 48 hours prior to this Initial Assessment Session. Following this first session, our therapeutic relationship will be established.

Standard 50-minute sessions are $250.

For clients engaging in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), I also offer 75-minute extended sessions at $350. These longer sessions are especially helpful when we begin working on more complex or higher-level exposures that benefit from additional time and support.

I am an out-of-network provider and do not accept insurance.

Sessions are 50 minutes long and conducted via secure video through a HIPAA-compliant client portal. Consistency and privacy are important, and telehealth allows us to connect in a safe, flexible way — wherever you are in California or Hawaii.

You can expect a collaborative, structured approach that’s also deeply compassionate. I’m a direct therapist — I won’t just nod and listen. I’ll offer honest reflections and ask thoughtful questions to help you gain clarity and momentum. And while therapy can be challenging, I also believe in the value of levity — sometimes a bit of humor helps us stay grounded, connected, and human in the midst of difficult work.

Therapy is a process — and it’s not always a smooth one. Some sessions may leave you feeling lighter, clearer, or more grounded. Other times, you may leave feeling emotionally stretched, uncertain, or even a bit raw.

The work we do together — especially when using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) — is designed to help you face what you’ve been avoiding. We’ll gently and purposefully approach discomfort, fear, and uncertainty so they no longer dictate your decisions. This work isn’t easy, but it is meaningful.

You may notice urges to pull away from therapy when things get challenging. Avoidance is a natural response to anxiety. When something feels overwhelming, uncertain, or scary, our instinct is often to pull away — to delay, distract, or steer clear altogether. In the short term, avoidance can offer temporary relief. But over time, it reinforces the idea that we can’t handle discomfort, uncertainty, or distress — and that makes anxiety stronger.

In Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), avoidance isn’t seen as a failure — it’s seen as valuable information. When you notice the urge to avoid, that’s often the clearest sign of where the work is. It’s a cue to keep going, not a sign to stop.

You’ll learn how to gently lean into discomfort — not all at once, and not without support, but gradually and intentionally. You’ll build the skills to face what you’ve been avoiding, so anxiety and fear no longer call the shots.

It’s not about being fearless — it’s about becoming more flexible, more confident, and more connected to what truly matters to you.

Therapy is an active process, and your engagement matters. While there’s no perfect way to “do” therapy, meaningful progress requires consistency, openness, and a willingness to lean into discomfort.

What I ask of my clients:

• Regular attendance and timeliness — showing up for yourself is part of the work.

• A commitment to the process, even when it feels challenging, slow, or uncertain. Progress depends on engagement with exposures and values-based practices outside of sessions. We’ll work collaboratively to make these between-session exercises feel manageable and meaningful, and your active participation between sessions is essential for long-term change.

• Vulnerability and honesty — being open about what’s really going on helps us do deeper, more effective work.

• Willingness to experiment — trying new strategies, facing discomfort, and stepping outside of old patterns is how change begins.

• A desire for growth and change, even if you’re unsure where to start.

You don’t need to have it all figured out — that’s why you’re here. All that’s required is a willingness to begin, a desire for change, and a commitment to showing up for yourself.

Regular attendance is a key part of effective therapy. Each session builds on the last, and consistency helps create the trust, momentum, and structure needed for the meaningful change you are looking for.

I require at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule a session. Cancellations or rescheduled appointments made with less than 24 hours’ notice will be charged the full session fee of $250.

Sometimes, the urge to cancel a session can be a form of avoidance — especially when therapy begins to touch on things that feel uncomfortable or challenging. This is completely normal, and it’s often a sign that we’re getting close to something important. In our work together, we’ll learn to notice these moments as opportunities to lean in, rather than pull away. Your commitment to showing up — even when it’s hard — is a powerful part of your growth.

Sessions begin and end at their scheduled time. If you arrive late, we’ll use the remaining time as effectively as possible, but sessions cannot be extended.

If you are more than 15 minutes late, the session will be considered a late cancellation and will be canceled. The full session fee will apply.

Please note that I do not provide crisis or emergency mental health services. If you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency, seek immediate support.

In the event of an emergency:

• Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room

• Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (available 24/7)

Your safety is my highest priority.