Getting started · 4 min
What actually happens in a first therapy session
The paperwork, the questions I ask, and what you are never obliged to talk about on day one.
Resources
Things worth reading before, during, or instead of therapy with me.
Everything here is free and nothing asks for your email. If one of these answers your question well enough that you don't need to book a call, that's a good outcome.
Most read · Anxiety · 6 min
Why high-functioning anxiety is so easy to miss
You hit every deadline, everyone thinks you're fine, and you haven't slept properly since March. What that pattern costs, and why competence keeps it invisible.
Articles
Written by me, updated when the guidance changes
Burnout · 8 min
The burnout signs clinicians talk themselves out of
Compassion fatigue rarely announces itself. Nine quieter indicators, and what to do about each.
Fees and insurance · 5 min
How out-of-network reimbursement works in California
What a superbill is, what to ask your plan, and the two sentences that get you a straight answer.
Worksheets you can take away
PDFs, no email required, no funnel. Print them, ignore them, bring them to a session with someone else.
PDF · 2 pages
The 3am worry worksheet
A structured way to get the loop out of your head and onto paper so it stops re-running.
DownloadPDF · 1 page
Questions to ask any therapist before you commit
Twelve questions, including the four most people are too polite to ask about money.
DownloadPDF · 2 pages
A boundaries script for caring professions
Sentences you can actually say at work when the answer has to be no.
DownloadStraight answers
The questions people ask on the phone, answered plainly here so you don't have to ask them.
How much does therapy cost in Oakland?
Private-practice sessions in Oakland typically run $150 to $250 for 50 minutes. My fee is $210 in person and $170 by video, with three sliding-scale slots at $110.
Do you take insurance?
No, I'm out-of-network with all plans. I provide a monthly superbill, and most PPO plans reimburse 50 to 80 percent of an out-of-network session once the deductible is met.
How long does therapy usually take?
For a focused problem, three to six months of weekly sessions is common. Longer-standing patterns usually take a year or more. We review where you are every couple of months.
Is video therapy as effective as in person?
For anxiety, depression, and most adult concerns, research finds outcomes comparable to in-person work. Body-based work is often easier in the room, which is why I offer both.
What is the difference between an LMFT and a psychologist?
An LMFT holds a master's degree and is licensed to provide psychotherapy. A psychologist holds a doctorate and can also carry out psychological testing. Neither prescribes medication in California.
If you need help tonight
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text, 24 hours. Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741. Alameda County crisis support: (800) 309-2131.
Finding someone who isn't me
Open Path Collective for reduced-fee therapy, Inclusive Therapists and the Therapy for Black Girls directory, and the California Board of Behavioral Sciences licence lookup.
Books I recommend most
Three titles I hand out constantly, with a sentence on who each one is actually for. Borrow them from Oakland Public Library before buying.