Frequently Asked Questions
Are you seeing new clients?
I do currently have openings for new clients. I update this page regularly and will put a notification if I am unable to accept new clients.
Is it okay to call?
Sure, you can give me a call at 562-716-3461 when you are ready to talk about counseling. Know that I probably will not be available immediately by telephone. However, feel free to leave a a confidential voicemail and I will try to contact you back within 24 hours. Please be sure to let me know if it's okay to leave a message for you. You can also contact me through email. If you don't hear back from me within a day, please feel free to contact me again as your message may have been lost or I may not have been able to retrieve it for some reason.
What can I expect during our first appointment?
First appointments can be very stressful for clients, especially if you have never seen a therapist before! If you haven't had a chance to fill in forms, expect to complete those at your first appointment. If you have filled them in, expect a chance to ask questions and review the forms. After that, we will spend time talking and letting me understand what you are looking for in a counselor. If therapy is to focus on your child, we will talk beforehand about whether or not your child should attend the first appointment as it may be important to talk together and for you to explore my office before bringing your child in.
How long are the sessions and how frequently will we meet?
Sessions generally are 45 to 50 minutes long and take place once a week. Sometimes special circumstances are present and we decide together that you or your child would benefit from longer, less frequent sessions. Also, as progress takes place during therapy, sometimes we decide to see each other less frequently, possibly twice a month or even once a month. And if there is a very difficult situation happening, there may be benefits to meeting more frequently in the beginning. We can talk during your first telephone call about what would work best for you or your child.
What are your fees and do you take insurance?
My fee is $115 per session. I have limited slots where I can offer some reduction in fees. At this time, I do not take insurance but I am able to provide a super bill for you to use to get reimbursement from your insurance. If you have a PPO, you may be reimbursed for a portion of the fee. I do direct bill Victims of Violent Crimes. I accept payment in the form of cash, check or credit card. You can find out more about insurance and fees here.
What is play therapy?
Play therapy is a type of therapy that uses toys, games and art during the therapy process. Sometimes it is completely led by the child, who is given an opportunity to communicate through the use of toys. Sometimes I am more directive with the child, and provide specific games or toys to use during a session. Play therapy can also be used with families, as a way to ease communication between family members. Sometimes using toys, art and games is a way for people to be in touch with each other. I provide further information about play therapy here.
