Typically, the consultation and the first few sessions help determine if we are a good fit.

The therapeutic alliance is the most important part of therapy. If you don’t vibe with a therapist, you have a right to referrals for a therapist who may better fit your needs.

I help individuals 18 years old and older who experience trouble with relationships. I help uncover the potential root cause and how to approach relationships differently.

Attachment trauma and early relational wounds
Post-traumatic stress and complex trauma
Repeating emotional or relational patterns
Difficulties with trust, closeness, or emotional safety
Intense emotions such as anxiety, jealousy, or fear of abandonment

The two times in our lives when we experience the most rapid brain development and changes are 0 to 3-5 years old and during adolescence.

Attachment patterns refer to the type of attachment we had with our primary caregiver(s) from birth to around ages 3 to 5 years old. Our attachment pattern resurfaces during young adulthood, especially within romantic relationships.

Mentalization Based Treatment is a therapy style that improves the way we understand our own mental state and the mental state of others. Initially developed for Borderline Personality Disorder, MBT has proved to be transdiagnostic, meaning it can be used with individuals who do not have BPD but have other mental health diagnoses.

The therapy process looks different for everyone, but typically it involves several sessions of “building rapport” for individuals to feel more comfortable exploring issues they want to understand or improve. “Homework” is given to individuals who choose to do it, but it is not necessary; each individual determines what their therapy process looks like. Throughout therapy individuals discuss their childhood, relationship patterns, previous mental and physical health history, current living situation, work status and profession, stressors and traumas, societal/spiritual/religious/cultural circumstances, and therapy goals. This helps both the individual and the therapist use a holistic approach that encompasses all the various factors that uniquely affect each individual. Therapy will bring up difficult topics, emotions, and thoughts. It also evokes different approaches to relationships. Individuals make changes that affect the status quo of their relationships, so relationships dynamics often change. Therapy can sometimes make us feel worse before feeling better.

Therapy looks different for everyone. Early sessions usually focus on building rapport so you feel comfortable exploring what you want to understand or change. The process is collaborative, and while optional reflections or “homework” may be offered, nothing is required.

Therapy takes a holistic approach, often exploring your history, relationships, health, current life circumstances, stressors, and goals. Difficult emotions and topics may come up, and changes in therapy can affect how you relate to yourself and others. At times, the work may feel challenging before it feels better.

This depends on each individual’s needs. Some individuals engage in therapy for 6 weeks, while others engage in therapy for several years.

The original MBT format was 18 months long. However this has evolved, as it’s proven to be transdiagnostic, or used for various mental health diagnoses.

I have a limited number of time slots for those who want to use their insurance. I contract with Rula and Grow to take some insurance providers. Note this can change at any time, as I have no control over the insurance contracts that therapy platforms negotiate. The benefits of using insurance include the cost effectiveness.

Some may choose not to use insurance because insurance requires a diagnosis after the first session, insurance can deny treatment, and can affect care continuity. This means that if an individual changes jobs or if insurance contracts change, therapy must come to an end in the near future regardless of if an individual had met their therapy goals. As a result, an individual may have to “start all over again” with a new therapist.

(California residents only, adults only, telehealth sessions.)

I see individuals 18 years old and older in California via telehealth. I sometimes meet individuals in the San Diego area for walking therapy.

Initial diagnostic assessments and psychotherapy sessions are 53 minutes long.

Intensives are 2-3 hours long.

Intensives are 2-3 hour sessions that do a deeper dive into an individual’s past or present.

Often used to manage times when an individual’s symptoms are heightened, intensives can accomplish in 1 day what would otherwise take 2-3 weeks of psychotherapy. Intensives are only available via self pay.

Individual psychotherapy sessions are $200 per 53-minute session.

Initial diagnostic assessment: $250.

2 Hour Intensive Psychotherapy Session: $400

3 Hour Intensive Diagnostic Assessment and Psychotherapy Session: $650

1 Hour Individual or Didactic External Supervision for California Associate Social Workers: $200 per person