Frequently Asked Questions
How long have you been a therapist?
I have been a licensed therapist in the state of California since 1988. My California license number is MFC 23396.
What kinds of clients do you work with?
I work with all kinds of clients – adults, couples/partners teenagers, kids and elders.
Over the years I have accumulated a tremendous amount of experience working with individuals, couples and families
on many different kinds of issues which include work related issues, substance abuse problems, teenage issues
and issues ranging from anxiety to depression.
I also specialize in working with families and individuals effected by critical illness, disease and end of life
issues. A cancer survivor myself, I have worked with many clients who face a daily struggle with chronic pain and
life threatening illness.
Note that a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist is not able to prescribe drugs or perform psychological testing services.
The focus of the therapeutic process is to explore each client´s relationships – with him/herself and others.
How do I determine if a therapist is right for me?
The skills of a therapist are determined by his or her ability to connect with clients and to “meet them where they are.”
Nearly all therapists have acquired a great deal of knowledge and a whole cache of skills. Yet, each client needs only what
is appropriate and healing for his/her problems. Having the skill to intuitively know what each client needs comes from a
combination of listening attentively to the client and concurrently listening with the therapist´s own intuitive nature.
Therapists must set firm boundaries that create a safe, confidential atmosphere, but at the same time, must be flexible enough
to engender feelings of caring and trust. This combination allows each client the best opportunity for healing.
If you don´t feel emotionally safe with your therapist, or feel that he or she is constantly “missing the mark”
in terms of where you are and what you need, then you may want to consider another therapist.
Can you help me?
This is a tough question because all clients have different perspectives on what it means to be helped.
For example, a therapist cannot help you re–unite with a spouse or partner who has decided to move out of your life.
What a therapist can do is to help you move through and address your grief process over a lost relationship and perhaps
gain insight into the meaning of the relationship and why it didnīt last. Gaining such insight can be extremely helpful
to clients as they re-engage in new relationships.
Regardless of the presenting problem, the thing that most impacts a client´s progress is the intent of the client
to heal – to actively participate in the therapeutic process and to take responsibility for his or her path to recovery.
How much does therapy cost?
My fee is $125.00 an hour for an individual session.
How do I pay for therapy?
I regret that I am no longer able to file insurance claims for clients. Sessions may be paid for
at time of service by cash, check, or major credit card (Visa, MasterCard and American Express).
I will be happy to provide the appropriate paperwork necessary for you to file for reimbursement
with your health insurance provider.
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