Policies, Fees, and FAQs

Before scheduling a call, check that my policies work for you

No matter how much we vibe, there’s no wiggle,
so I really recommend reading this

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1) My clients are 18+ and located in California, Massachusetts, New York, or Florida

Why? I happen to be licensed in those very states! Working with minors require extra paperwork and policies, so I see adults 18 and up.

3) We meet weekly (or more, if desired) while working on your main goals

That’s the model supported by ERP effectiveness research. Once you reach your goal, we can wrap up, set new goals, space out sessions, or whatever you like. Vacations and cancellations here and there with advance notice are totally fine.

4) We meet between 9am-3pm on weekdays

Therapy works best when we’re both refreshed.

5) I don’t take insurance (I do provide superbills for out-of-network compensation)

Here is an article to help make you a superbill expert.

6) Sessions are $290 / “therapy hour” (45-50 minutes)

No sliding scale available. I would love to charge less, but San Francisco is expensive.

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“Does online therapy work?”

Sure does! The research we have so far says that for individual therapy, online versus in-person makes no difference.

Like many therapists, I’ve been fully virtual since March 2020. Thankfully, I have yet to notice any issues. We still bond, therapy is just as effective, and I haven’t run out of exposure ideas. Lucky you.

Welcome!
Yes, you!

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People from 100% of countries, ethnic groups, religions, and sexual and gender orientations are so welcome! We might not have all the same life experiences. Yet if we agree on a treatment plan we both genuinely think will do the trick, my therapy approach and policies feel like a fit, and we respect the hell out of each other, the vibes tend to be excellent and therapy tends to be efficient and effective.

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More FAQs

Can I keep seeing my previous therapist? Sure! As long as we’re treating you for separate issues and not getting in each other’s way, I’m happy. If you want to contain costs, you can pause your other therapy and resume once we’re done.

Do I have to take medication? I’ve seen tons of clients do great with meds and tons do great without. Research on this is conflicting: some studies say medication and ERP is best, and some say ERP alone is best, but the differences seem small. You do you!

What if I also have ADHD, substance over-use, bipolar, or a personality disorder? If it doesn’t get in the way of doing ERP, no problem. If it does, you will need to get treatment for that first and then come back. If you prefer to work with one therapist who is an expert at treating both, I have excellent referrals. 

Can we talk about challenging things that come up during my week? Or problem-solve other areas of my life I find stressful? Totally! ERP is part of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which is basically an enormous umbrella of therapy interventions, so I have good practice with the other CBT techniques too. We can do things like collaboratively plan how you want to respond to tricky situations, make meaning of past life events, make decisions you have been agonizing over, identify how you want to approach challenging conversations, and help you take accountability and follow through on self-care or other goals.

 Yes, I am a real psychologist 

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Education

  • BA in Psychology, Stanford University

  • PhD in Counseling Psychology, Fordham University

  • Postdoctoral Fellowship in Integrated Care and Behavioral Medicine, Martinez VA

Licensure

Specialized Trainings

  • International OCD Foundation Behavior Therapy Training Institute

  • Trichotillomania Learning Center Virtual Professional Training Institute

  • Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry Academy: CBT for OCD & CBT for BDD

Professional Associations

  • International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)

  • American Psychological Association (APA)

  • California Psychological Association (CPA)

  • San Francisco Psychological Association (SFPA)

  • New York State Psychological Association (NYSPA)

  • Northern California CBT Network (NCCBT)

Looking for a therapist who has a lower fee, offers in-person sessions, works with kids or teens, or is licensed in another state or country? Check out these resources!

  1. Call your insurance company; say you’re looking for in-network providers who treat your condition

  2. NOCD (takes many insurance plans, all 50 states, all ages) https://www.treatmyocd.com

  3. OCD specialists list (search for keywords like “teen”) https://bayareaocd.com/referral-list-2

  4. International OCD Foundation (use the filters!) https://iocdf.org/find-help/

  5. Psychology Today (again, use the filters!) https://www.psychologytoday.com/

  6. BDD specialists (though do also look for BDD specialists using the first 5 resources) https://feartocourage.com/bdd-resources/bdd-clinics-and-therapists/

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Did you know?

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total cost of services!

Under a 2022 law, healthcare providers are now required to provide a Good Faith Estimate of the total expected cost before providing out-of-network healthcare services. That way, you have a chance to decline treatment if you don't like the price tag. I am technically a healthcare provider, so you will get a Good Faith Estimate as part of your intake paperwork if we decide to work together. For more on Good Faith Estimates, read on! http://www.cms.gov/nosurprises

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Schedule a free
20-minute phone consult!

Don’t worry, it won’t be THAT awkward 🙂

No really, I have a format and everything.