Do you accept my insurance?

I am not currently contracted with any insurance companies, due to limitations in their contracts, and an increasing trend of insurance companies to interfere negatively in treatment. Many patients prefer to keep their insurance companies out of treatment, as reimbursement is often inadequate, and some find the interference and resistance they encounter not worth the hassle. If you have out of network coverage (sometimes called a PPO) you may be able to get reimbursed for a portion of my fee through them.

Do you have customer reviews that I can read?

In order to preserve the confidentiality of my clients and the integrity of their treatments, I do not post customer reviews, nor do I encourage them to leave me online reviews. Many of my referrals come to me from colleagues who know my work.

What is psychodynamic therapy?

Psychodynamic therapy (also known as psychoanalytic therapy) is a type of therapy based on a school of thought that originated with Sigmund Freud, one that has expanded and evolved significantly and continues to evolve through research, publications, and conferences throughout the world. The basic premise of psychodynamic theory is that suffering occurs as a result of patterns in thinking, feeling, and relationships which are often beyond awareness, or unconscious. Psychodynamic therapy attempts to address these patterns through an understanding of the patient’s experience in therapy as an example of other relationships in their life. See the websites of the American Psychoanalytic Association and the International Psychoanalytic Association for more in-depth information about the constantly-evolving field of psychodynamic therapy.

What is your experience with ethnic and cultural minorities?

I have extensive experience with clients from ethnic minorities, particularly those of African American and Mexican American descent. I also have experience with those of Asian, Persian, and Central American descent.

How much experience do you have as a therapist?

I have been helping patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly, overcome their suffering since 1998. My understanding of development throughout the human lifespan that is one of my strengths as a clinician. For example, I believe understanding child development is essential in understanding adults. A knowledge of human development also helps me to understand how a child’s problems might look when they are an adult if they are not addressed when they are a child.

How long will it be before I feel better?

The answer depends on many factors. I will work to help you overcome your suffering in the fastest way possible, with an eye to preventing both relapse or future suffering. Some patients find that they feel better after therapy than they have ever felt before. This is due to the fact that many people carry a great deal of stress without realizing it, often for a good part of their lives. When this stress (a form of suffering) also lifts, it can feel like an entirely new way of being.

What if I need medication?

As we discuss the nature of your suffering, it sometimes becomes clear that a psychotropic medication might be helpful. If this is the case, we will discuss together the possibility of a referral to a psychiatrist who can prescribe medication if he or she feels it would be helpful. I do not recommend taking any psychotropic medication without also attending therapy sessions. Research has indicated that medication is most effective when used with therapy. It is often the case that medication masks underlying problems without addressing their cause, so that symptoms return if medication is stopped. When a patient participates in psychotherapy, in addition to taking medication to alleviate current symptoms, the underlying cause can often be addressed, so that symptoms do not return if the medication is stopped.