Frequently Asked Questions
General Therapy Information
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Therapy is a collaborative process where a trained professional helps you explore and address emotional, mental, or behavioral challenges. It provides a safe, supportive environment for you to explore difficult feelings, thoughts, or life situations. Therapy can help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself, develop coping strategies, and make positive changes in your life.
Whether you're dealing with specific issues like trauma or you're simply looking for personal growth, therapy can offer valuable tools to help you navigate life's challenges more effectively.
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At Grow & Well, we prioritize the mental well-being of women and moms. We also work to support their loved ones, including their partner and/or children. Thus, our clients include adolescents, adults, parents of all stages, parents-to-be, and working professionals of all races, ethnicities, genders, religions, nationalities, and other cultural backgrounds.
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At this time, we offer individual therapy for adolescents and adults. We also offer couples therapy.
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Generally speaking, our specialities include: depression, anxiety, perinatal mental health, trauma, disordered eating, body image concerns, relationship issues, and parenting. For details, please visit our individual service page under “Services.”
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The duration of therapy can vary depending on your individual needs, goals, and the type of issues you're addressing. Some people may find that a few sessions are enough to work through a specific challenge, while others may benefit from longer-term therapy (e.g., several months to years) to explore deeper issues and make lasting changes. Together, we will regularly evaluate your progress and decide how long you want to continue based on your goals and needs.
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The frequency of therapy sessions depends on your individual needs and goals. Many people start with weekly sessions. Over time, as progress is made, sessions may become less frequent—bi-weekly or monthly—depending on what feels right for you and the plan we have developed.
We will work with you to determine a schedule that best supports your progress, and you can always adjust the frequency as your needs evolve throughout the process.
My Qualifications & Approach
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I’m a licensed clinical psychologist with specialized expertise in women’s mental health. With advanced training in perinatal mental health, trauma & PTSD, and eating and body image issues, I have extensive experience supporting this population. I am passionate about integrating mind-body approaches to help women and mothers experience healing, growth, and wellness.
Feel free to learn more information about my qualifications, experience, approach, and style here.
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My therapeutic approach is holistic and integrative, combining mind-body techniques to support your healing. Specializing in EMDR therapy, somatic therapy, and polyvagal therapy, I also integrate CBT, DBT, ACT, and the Gottman Method based on your unique needs and preferences, offering a personalized path to growth and wellness.
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There are several indicators to determine if we are a good fit, including: 1) whether you feel safe, respected, and heard during our sessions; 2) whether my therapeutic approaches and specialties align with your goals; and 3) maintaining open communication throughout the process.
Feel free to learn more about my background, approach, and style here. You can also schedule a free 15-minute consultation to help assess if we’re a good fit. Ultimately, it may take a couple of sessions to fully determine if my approach meets your needs.
Cost, Insurance & Payment
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I am only in-network with Aetna. For other insurances, I will be considered an out-of-network provider.
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It depends! My out-of-network rates are as follows:
-Intake Session (55 mins): $300
-Individual Session (45 mins/55 minutes): $250/$275
-Couples Session (55 mins/110 minutes): $300/$600
If you receive OON benefits from your insurance coverage, I can provide you with a receipt (i.e., a superbill) that you can submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement.
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I accept debit, credit, HSA, or FSA card. Payment is due at the end of each session.
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Yes! I offer limited sliding scale fees based on your financial circumstances. If this is you, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Accessibility to treatment is important to me. I believe that everyone deserves the chance to receive care. I will try my best to find an acceptable arrangement with you or refer you to therapists I trust who may be able to accommodate your financial circumstances.
Scheduling & Appointments
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You may reach out to us by filling out an inquiry through our contact page, call (650-257-0126), or email (info@growandwell.com) us.
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At this time, we only offer online therapy for California residents.
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Yes! We offer a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to help you make an informed decision.
During the consultation, you have the opportunity to meet with me, ask questions, and assess whether my approach and style are a good fit for your needs.
If you decide to move forward with us, we will schedule an intake appointment (i.e., the first session) during the consultation or whenever you are ready.
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During your first therapy session, you can expect that I will take time to get to know you and understand the reason you’re seeking therapy. The session will typically begin with some background questions about your life, mental health history, and any current challenges you're facing. We may also set treatment goals during this time.
The primary goal of the first session is to establish a comfortable, trusting relationship and lay the groundwork for future sessions.
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If, for some reason, you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, I do ask that you notify me at least 24 hours before your scheduled time.
I typically can waive the late cancellation fee if I am able to reschedule you for the same week. Otherwise, there will be a $200 late cancellation fee.
You can usually cancel or reschedule by calling, emailing, or sending me a secure message on the Client Portal.
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If you’re running late for an appointment, please let me know as soon as possible. I typically wait for 15-20 minutes before attempting to reach out. If I’m unable to contact you and it’s been 20 minutes past the scheduled start time, I will assume you won’t be attending the session, and a $200 no-show fee will apply.
Confidentiality & Privacy
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Yes, what you share in therapy is confidential.
As a psychologist, I am required by law to protect your privacy and keep all information shared during sessions confidential.
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There are a few exceptions to confidentiality, such as if there is an imminent risk of harm to yourself or others, or if mandated by law (e.g., in cases of abuse and neglect).
I will always discuss these exceptions with you beforehand. Your safety, trust, and privacy are my top priorities.
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I take your privacy and confidentiality very seriously during virtual sessions. To ensure your safety, I use a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform for all online sessions. This protects your personal information and ensures that our conversations remain private.
I also conduct all my therapy session in a private space and I wear headphones and play white noise in the background. I recommend that you choose a quiet, private space for your sessions, where you feel comfortable and won’t be interrupted as well.
If you have any concerns or questions about privacy, please don’t hesitate to bring them up. I’m here to address them and ensure you feel safe and secure.
Crisis & Emergency Situations
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If you're experiencing a mental health crisis, it's important to seek immediate help. Here are a few steps you can take:
Reach out to a mental health professional: If you have a therapist or psychiatrist, contact them immediately. They can guide you on next steps or emergency options.
Call a crisis hotline: The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7.
Go to an emergency room: If you're in immediate danger or experiencing severe symptoms, such as suicidal thoughts or self-harm, go to the nearest emergency room or urgent care center.
Confide in someone you trust: Reach out to a friend, family member, or loved one who can offer support and help you navigate this difficult time.
Remember, it's important to seek help as soon as possible when you're in crisis. You don't have to go through it alone.
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I do not offer emergency or immediate services. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or need urgent support, it is important to reach out to a crisis service. Here are a few resources for immediate assistance:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.): Call or text 988 for confidential support 24/7.
911: If you are in immediate danger, please call emergency services.
Local Emergency Room: If you need urgent care or are at risk of harm, go to the nearest emergency room.
Miscellaneous
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It’s totally understandable to feel hesitant to start therapy. Taking the first step can be challenging.
If you are unsure, what I would suggest is to start small. Consider scheduling an initial consultation or a single session to get a feel for the process. This can help you understand if my approach feels like a good fit without feeling like you have to commit long-term right away.
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If you’re unsure whether I treat a specific issue, I encourage you to reach out directly and ask. While my website highlights some of my primary specialties, I often work with clients on a broad range of concerns. Therapy is individualized, and I integrate a variety of approaches to meet your unique needs.
If you don’t see the issue you're dealing with mentioned on my site, please don’t hesitate to inquire. I’m happy to discuss how my training and experience may align with your specific needs, and we can explore the best ways to work together to support your goals.
