Do you take insurance?

Yes. I am on the panel of the Holman Group and accept clients referred by them. If you have Holman Group Insurance and want to self-refer, please call them to request authorization for sessions. Otherwise, I am an out-of-network provider. If you have a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), I can provide your insurance company with a superbill and have them reimburse you. Your insurance carrier determines how much they reimburse you for services.

What is your fee?

Please feel free to call me to discuss my rates. My fees are reasonable, and I also have a limited number of reduced-rate time slots.

How do I make an appointment?

To make an initial appointment call (310) 430-3327. Either I will answer the call, or you can leave a confidential voice message.  I respond to messages as soon as I can.

What can I expect of my initial session?

During our first meeting, I collect basic demographic information (such as an address, phone number, and employment). After I explain the terms of Confidentiality, I ask the reason you are seeking therapy. Our initial session gives you a sense of whether the relationship with me is a fit for you, and if it holds potential for the healing you seek. Our meeting will also provide you with a strong sense of how I work. It is time for us to assess whether I am the person best suited to help. If not, I will provide you with some appropriate referrals.

Do you share your client’s personal information?

A client’s information is bound by Confidentiality, and I take this seriously. There are some instances where information must be released. If I assess that a client is a danger to themselves or someone else, then I am obliged to alert the people necessary to keep the endangered safe. In this situation, I am a mandated reporter. If I hear of child abuse, elder abuse, or dependent abuse I must report it to the authorities.  

There are instances when records are subpoenaed by the courts, and in most of these instances, I am forced to comply. Also, if a client is using an insurance plan, a transfer of some information is required. For the most part, this is minimal and general information.

Do you have a cancellation policy?

I require a week’s notice if you must cancel. This timing allows me to fill that time slot. For anything less than a week, you are responsible for the session fee.

 If you must cancel at the last minute and your session can be rescheduled in a different time slot, there is no penalty. If your appointment cannot be rescheduled, then you are responsible for the session fee.

What if I don’t feel like the sessions are helping me?

Please feel free to address this with me. It may be part of your healing journey. Sometimes it happens that a client feels worse before they feel better. This is often because issues that have been avoided for a long time are now at the surface. In any case, I encourage you to bring up any such questions and concerns in a session before you decide to abandon the process.

How long does therapy take?

Psychotherapy is complete when a client’s sense of well-being has been restored. The time it takes depends on the individual. Some people come for one session and feel they are done, while others use therapy for many years, and it becomes a part of their support system. When a person is ready to graduate from therapy, it is usually realized within the context of the collaborative relationship between client and therapist.

What therapy modality do you practice?

My practice is based on Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic thought, as well as in Object Relations. Basically, this means that psychotherapy with me involves looking at how past experiences impact the present, and how the dynamics of past relationships influence and affect current relationships.  Gaining a new understanding of your relationships and experiences allows you to find the freedom to be happy and create the life of your dreams.