I’m new to therapy—what should I expect?

Welcome! Starting therapy is a big step, and I’m honored to walk alongside you on this journey. I absolutely love helping newcomers to therapy—it’s a privilege to create a positive, meaningful, and comfortable experience for you.

If you’re seeking in-person therapy in San Francisco or virtual sessions, my goal is to ensure that your experience is supportive, insightful, and tailored to your needs.

What happens in our first session?

• We’ll start with an initial consultation to get to know each other. I’ll ask about what’s bringing you to therapy and what you’re hoping to work on.

• If we decide to move forward, we’ll schedule your first full session—a conversation centered entirely on you.

• You’ll have space to share about your life, your goals, and how therapy can support you.

Will I know if therapy is right for me?

It’s completely normal to take some time to see if the therapeutic relationship feels like a good fit. I encourage open communication—if something isn’t clicking, let’s talk about it. Therapy is most effective when you feel safe, heard, and supported.

I am licensed to provide therapy to individuals who are physically located in California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts at the time of our sessions. Your state of residency doesn’t matter—state laws require that therapists be licensed in the state where the client is physically present during the session. I see most of my clients in San Francisco. I also offer in person couples therapy in San Francisco and virtually.

What if I travel?

If you travel frequently for work or leisure but remain within these states, I can continue to provide therapy to ensure continuity of care. However, if you are outside of California, New York, Pennsylvania, or Massachusetts, I am unfortunately unable to offer therapy due to licensing regulations.

If you’re unsure whether I can work with you based on your location, feel free to reach out—I’m happy to clarify and help however I can.

I typically recommend weekly sessions when we first begin our work together. Regular sessions allow us to build trust, establish momentum, and create meaningful progress in a way that feels steady and supportive.

As you start to feel better and gain confidence in applying what we explore in therapy, we can adjust to biweekly sessions if that feels right for you. The frequency of sessions is always tailored to your unique needs, goals, and pace of growth.

If we do transition to less frequent sessions, I may ask for some flexibility with scheduling to ensure consistency and availability. My goal is to provide you with the right level of support at every stage of your journey.

My rates reflect the expertise, care, and personalized attention I bring to every session. With over 26 years of experience as a licensed therapist in San Francisco, I integrate science-backed methods, deep compassion, and tailored strategies to help you create meaningful change.

• 50-minute therapy session: $295

• 60-minute couples therapy session: $395

I understand that therapy is an investment in your well-being. My pricing is set to ensure that I can offer the highest level of care, continuous training, and a deeply engaged therapeutic experience.

Do you accept insurance?

While I don’t bill insurance directly, I’m happy to provide superbills to help you with out-of-network reimbursement claims. Many of my clients successfully receive partial reimbursement through their plans.

To make this process easy, I’ve created a simple and effective script to guide you when speaking with your insurance provider. It takes the guesswork out of verifying your benefits.

If you have any questions about my rates, insurance, or reimbursement, don’t hesitate to reach out. I want this process to feel as clear and stress-free as possible.

Yes! I love meeting with clients in person whenever possible. There’s something uniquely powerful about face-to-face connection, and I’ve designed my office to be a warm, inviting, and safe space where you can feel comfortable exploring, healing, and growing.

Location: My office is in the heart of the Castro District in San Francisco, with convenient parking right across the street and easy access via public transportation.

For those who prefer the flexibility of virtual therapy, I also offer secure online sessions so you can receive support from the comfort of your own space. Whether we meet in person or virtually, my goal is to provide an experience that feels deeply supportive and personalized to you.

I’ve chosen to focus all my energy on providing the highest level of personalized care, rather than navigating the limitations and red tape of insurance companies. Because of this, I do not bill insurance directly.

That said, I completely understand how important insurance is in managing the cost of therapy. If you have a PPO plan with out-of-network benefits, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement. I’m happy to provide a detailed superbill and any necessary documentation to help you submit your claim quickly and smoothly.

Why Don’t I Bill Insurance?

Many insurance companies require therapists to provide mental health diagnoses and detailed session notes to approve coverage, which can feel invasive and may not fully capture the depth of our work together. By remaining independent, I can ensure that your therapy is completely private, confidential, and tailored to your needs—without outside interference.

How Do I Check If My Insurance Will Reimburse Me?

I know insurance policies can be confusing, so I’ve created a simple, step-by-step script to help you ask the right questions when speaking with your provider. Just send me an email, and I’ll share it with you right away!

If you have any questions or need guidance on how to maximize your benefits, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m here to help.

I offer the best of both worlds—sessions can be in person or remote, depending on what works best for you. If you prefer the cozy, grounded feel of meeting face-to-face, my office is ready to welcome you. If the ease and convenience of connecting from the comfort of your home is more your style, we can meet virtually with the same depth and care. Whether in person or remote, I’m committed to creating a warm, supportive space where we can do meaningful work together.

I strive to schedule first sessions within a week, depending on your availability. You’re welcome to reach out to me via email, phone, or text—whatever feels easiest for you. I make it a priority to respond promptly, so you’ll hear back from me as soon as possible!

A third-party calculator will estimate your PPO insurance reimbursement for teletherapy.

For more clarity, reach out to your insurance provider—we’ve created a simple, step-by-step PPO Reimbursement Script to make the process simple. Here it is:

Insurance Reimbursement Script:

1) What is my insurance amount covered per each individual (CPT:90834) or couples (CPT:90837) session w/ an out-of-network behavioral health provider?   (This will be a flat fee or a % of the total cost).

2) What is my deductible? (if applicable)

3) What is my per-session copayment (flat fee) or coinsurance (percent) amount?

4) When does my insurance coverage start and renew?

5) How much of my deductible have I met so far this year? (if applicable)

6) Does my plan cover behavioral health visits offered via telehealth?

7) What is the process for submitting a reimbursement claim?