Frequently Asked Questions

Starting therapy often brings questions—big and small. It’s normal to wonder what the process will be like, how it works, and what to expect. Below you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions I receive. If you don’t see yours here, know that I’m always happy to talk things through with you directly.

Parenting can be deeply rewarding—and it can also feel overwhelming, especially if you’re raising a child who experiences the world differently. Therapy offers a safe place to set down the mental load, explore the guilt, stress, or self-doubt that may be weighing on you, and reconnect with yourself. In our sessions, you’ll find a compassionate, supportive space where we can:

  • Process the grief, frustration, or isolation that can come with parenting challenges.

  • Explore the worries, guilt, and self-doubt that weigh you down.

  • Manage anxiety and stress so you feel more calm and centered at home.

  • Strengthen your resilience and parenting confidence.

  • Address patterns of self-criticism and insecurity so you can feel more grounded and confident in your relationships, your career, and your life as a whole.

  • Process trauma and painful experiences, and move toward healing.

  • Break free from old patterns and cycles you don’t want to pass down to your children.

  • Create more space for balance, connection, and joy in your family life.

  • Reconnect with yourself so you feel more grounded, balanced, and aligned.

For many parents, therapy becomes a space to breathe—to be supported without judgment, to rediscover your strengths, and to feel less alone in the challenges of raising a family.

The therapy relationship is unique. While loved ones care about you, they’re often emotionally involved in your situation. As a therapist, I offer a safe, neutral space where you can share openly without worry. I combine professional training with compassion, so you receive support that’s both understanding and grounded in evidence-based practices.

Participating in therapy can have both benefits and risks. Therapy often leads to improved emotional well-being, better coping strategies, healthier relationships, and a greater sense of self-awareness. However, because therapy sometimes involves discussing difficult or painful experiences, you may experience uncomfortable emotions such as sadness, anxiety, or anger. In some cases, issues may feel more intense before they begin to improve. While I cannot guarantee specific results, my goal is to support you in working toward your personal goals, building on your strengths, and helping you navigate challenges in a safe and supportive environment.

It’s normal to feel a little nervous before starting therapy. Many people wonder what to expect or worry about whether they’ll know what to say. In our first few sessions, we’ll focus on getting to know each other, exploring what brings you here, and beginning to set some goals together. Therapy is a shared process—you guide the direction, and I offer support, reflection, and tools along the way. I may share observations or suggestions at times, but I won’t tell you what to do; my role is to walk alongside you as you find your own path forward.

For a more detailed look at the first sessions and how the process unfolds, visit my What to Expect page.

My approach is warm, collaborative, and down-to-earth, and rooted in the intention of meeting my clients where they are at. I believe that therapy works best when it feels like a partnership—where you feel heard, supported, and never judged. I offer an integrative approach, incorporating mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), solution-focused, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), attachment theory, and person-centered approaches. This allows me to tailor our work to your unique needs and goals rather than using a one-size-fits-all model.

I also value creating a safe space where you can pause, breathe, and untangle the challenges you’ve been carrying—whether that’s parenting stress, anxiety, grief, trauma, or big life transitions. Together, we’ll focus not just on easing symptoms, but on building resilience, breaking unhealthy cycles, and creating more balance, clarity, and connection in your life.

Medication can sometimes be an important part of mental health treatment, and I encourage you to talk with your doctor if it’s something you’re considering. While medication may reduce symptoms, it doesn’t address the underlying issues on its own. Therapy creates the space to explore those deeper patterns, and for many people, the combination of both brings the most meaningful change.

Most clients begin with weekly sessions, which allows us to build momentum and consistency. Over time, we may move to every other week as you feel more supported and confident. We’ll always decide together what frequency best supports your needs.

Yes, I offer both in-person and online (telehealth) therapy sessions. Each option has its own unique benefits, and both are equally helpful depending on your needs and circumstances.

  • In-person therapy allows us to meet face-to-face in a private and comfortable setting. Many people appreciate the sense of connection, structure, and focus that comes from being physically present.

  • Online therapy offers convenience and flexibility. You can meet from the comfort of your home or another private space, which can save travel time and make it easier to fit therapy into your schedule. Some clients also find it helps them feel more at ease when sharing from a familiar environment.

Both approaches are effective, and you’re welcome to choose the format that works best for you. Some clients even use a mix of both over time, depending on what their schedule or circumstances allow.

Confidentiality is a top priority in online therapy. Sessions are held on a HIPAA-compliant, secure platform. While the technology keeps our sessions private, it’s equally important that you’re in a space where you feel safe and uninterrupted so you can speak openly.

I am a private-pay provider and don’t work directly with insurance. Many clients appreciate the privacy and control that come with paying privately, since it allows us to shape therapy around your needs—not insurance requirements. If you have a PPO plan, I can provide a superbill (detailed receipt) that you may submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Since every plan is different, it’s best to call your insurance provider to confirm your benefits. 

I ask for at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. I understand that emergencies and illness come up—please let me know as soon as possible in those situations. Sessions canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice, or no-shows, will be charged the full session fee.

I work primarily with adults, and many of my clients are parents navigating the joys and challenges of raising children—including those parenting neurodivergent kids. I also support adults facing anxiety, stress, trauma, grief, relationship issues, or life transitions that feel overwhelming. My work is especially focused on helping parents and caregivers who may be carrying guilt, exhaustion, or self-doubt, and who want to feel more grounded and supported in both their personal lives and their parenting.

While parents are often at the heart of my practice, I also welcome adults of all backgrounds who are seeking a safe, compassionate space to work through life’s challenges and create more balance and clarity. In addition to my work with adults, I have extensive experience working with children and adolescents, and I also offer therapy for young clients who may benefit from a supportive, developmentally attuned space to navigate their own emotional and behavioral challenges.

Yes. I do not provide child custody evaluations or custody recommendations. I also don’t offer treatment for eating disorders, psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder), or personality disorders. In addition, due to state licensing laws, I can only provide therapy to individuals who are physically located in California. If you’re unsure whether your needs are a good fit, please don’t hesitate to reach out—I’d be happy to guide you in the right direction.

At this time, I only work with clients who are physically located in California, as that is where I am licensed to practice.

Still have questions?

I’d be happy to connect with you and answer anything that isn’t covered here.

Schedule a free consultation