Frequently Asked Questions about therapy with me
Click here to phone, text, or email me for more information about therapy for anxiety and depression, or couples therapy, or to schedule a free consultation. Otherwise, read on for answers to some frequently asked questions. But first, here’s my office…
How long are therapy sessions?
Sessions are 50 minutes long (or 75 minutes for couples) and take place either in my office in Pasadena (address below) or online using Zoom. We can meet weekly, twice weekly, or every other week, depending on the level of support you need.
What can I expect from therapy?
In our first session I’ll gather information about your personal, family, and medical history and find out more about what you’re going through. I’ll explain the rules and limits of confidentiality and ask you to complete some paperwork. We will also start developing a plan, shaped to your needs and lifestyle, to help you achieve your professional or personal goals. I am the type of therapist who is very involved in a session and will ask questions and make comments and suggestions. I’m not the silent type who sits and waits for you to talk. I may also set homework.
Online therapy is very similar to in person therapy except you get to sit in the comfort of your own home. If privacy is an issue you can call in from your office, car, a park, or even a closet. Occasionally we might experience the odd technological glitch but there are numerous other ways to communicate.
How long will I be in therapy?
I don’t like to say ‘it depends’ but it really does. I have seen some people for therapy every week for 2 years and they continue to make progress and get a lot out of our sessions. Others come for twelve sessions and feel they have made enough progress to get by. They leave knowing they know they are welcome to return any time. As for couples therapy, as a rule of thumb, using the Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy model (EFT, in which I am trained) you can expect to make progress in 15-20 sessions.
How are you different from other therapists?
My background is in business and marketing, with experience in the creative industry. I understand the pressures & demands of corporate life, the challenges that come with high expectations. I also recognize the swirl that is created as we navigate the push and pull of work and everyday life. I find my sense of humor helps my clients relax and feel comfortable, which allows for a more open experience – it is possible to laugh in therapy and I encourage my clients to use it as a tool. I also have rich experience helping people from different backgrounds, cultures, and religious beliefs.
If you’re an MFT do you just work with couples and families?
Although my degree is an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, I mainly work with individuals. The term ‘marriage and family therapy’ is more to do with how I view a person’s issues – I look at a person in the context of their relationships, both past and present.
What can I expect from couples therapy?
In our first couples therapy session you’ll fill me in on your relationship, the issues you’re experiencing, and how they impact you. The following week I’ll meet with each of you individually so you can share your family, personal, and relationship history. Thereafter I’ll meet with both of you every session and we’ll examine the dynamics between you – exploring the patterns of your interactions and the emotions bubbling beneath the surface. In this way we can see what might be getting in the way of you feeling connected and help you find new ways to communicate and connect. I’m trained in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy which is grounded in well-supported research and provides a framework for our sessions together.
What do you charge?
My fee is $180 per 50 minute session, or $220 for couples therapy (75 minutes).
What insurance plans do you accept?
I no longer accept insurance as I found that it could actually be a disservice to my clients in the long term. Firstly, insurance companies require proof of ‘medical necessity’ which means I have to provide a diagnosis that matches symptoms. Many people who benefit from regular therapy neither want nor need a diagnosis. Secondly, insurance companies have been known to suddenly decide to stop paying for therapy without notice which obviously causes a lot of stress and upset. As such, I provide a monthly bill to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement under your out-of-network benefits.
How can I pay?
I accept Venmo, Zelle, HSA cards, Discover, Visa, Mastercard, cash, and personal checks.
Where is your office?
My office is based at 595 East Colorado Blvd, Suite 509, Pasadena, CA 91101. Click the address tab below for a map. I also offer online therapy through Zoom.
What is a Good Faith Estimate?
Click here for information: https://www.bouncecounseling.com/good-faith-estimate/