Frequent questions and concerns
Where is the office?
The office is located at
1059 El Monte Blvd, Suite B
Mountain View, CA 94040
Are all effects of therapy positive?
Through your therapeutic journey it is my hope to help you reach your goals. However, contrary to popular belief, the effects of treatment are not always positive. This process can be anxiety provoking and emotionally draining. I will do my very best to aide you in the process but it is your responsibility to remain actively committed to your goals.
What is a typical therapeutic treatment?
Typically treatment includes weekly sessions. However, some individuals opt to meet several times a week.
Consistency is an important part of the process so sessions are usually scheduled for the same day and time each week. Sessions are 50 minutes in length starting on the hour.
Do I need to come in to the office to have my session?
Yes, it is important that you attend sessions in person. If there is an extenuating circumstance that prevents you from attending therapy in person, other options will be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
How much does therapy cost?
The cost of each session is $140. If you cannot afford this payment a sliding scale will be used to determine your fee. This will be decided on a case-by-case basis. The sliding scale fee range is $90-$140.
All fees will be collected at the time of service.
I do not accept health insurance but I will provide you will a detailed invoice to send to your insurance company.
If, during the therapeutic process, you are unable to continue to pay for treatment, we can discuss a contract for alternative methods of payment. All options will be explored, including alternate care.
In the event that you wish for me to testify in a court of law, my hourly fee will be based on hours spent researching the case, writing the report, traveling, preparing depositions, giving testimony, as well as waiting in court.
If you wish for me to write letters or reports on your behalf, my hours rate applies.
What is the Cancelation Policy?
Regular attendance greatly improves treatment outcome so it is important that you attend all scheduled sessions even when you do not feel like you have anything to talk about. Believe it or not those are often the best sessions!
However, if you need to cancel an appointment please call 24 hours in advance. If you do not give 24 hour notice, you are responsible for paying for the missed session.
Will the information I discuss be kept private?
Information discussed in session is privileged and will remain strictly confidential. If you wish to release information to a third party you must provide written consent even if this person is a member of your immediate family. Please know that I take your right to confidentiality very seriously. At no point, will I confirm nor deny that you are my client without your written consent, no exceptions. Confidentiality survives you in the event of your death.
If you are a member of a group therapy process, your confidentiality will be kept by the therapist but it is possible that group members could break your confidentiality.
Is my information protected in court?
The psychotherapist-patient privilege protects the therapeutic content in a court of law. No information will be given in court without your permission, a court order or where legally required to do so. If you are receiving couples or family therapy all members obtaining treatment must sign the consent prior to the release of information. It is important to understand that if you waive your right to privilege, you cannot pick and choose what information is released. It is all or nothing.
Are there any limits to confidentiality?
There are limits to confidentiality. As a psychotherapist, I am a mandated reported. I must report any and all suspected child, elder, and/or dependent adult abuse. If you have any questions about what constitutes that can be discussed at any time. Also I may be required to break confidentiality to report instances when a client is a serious threat to him/herself and/or others. Only pertinent information will be released in these instances.
Your information will also be shared in instances of professional consultation and/or supervision. This is to ensure that you get the proper treatment that you deserve. In the event of a court order, an order from the Board of Behavioral Sciences, a search warrant naming the therapist as the subject, or a coroners request for information for the purpose of identify a descendent to locating next of kin or when investigating deaths that may involve a public health concern your files must be surrendered. In addition, section 215 of the Patriot Act of 2001 requires that under certain circumstances psychotherapists must provide information to the FBI without informing the client.
There are times when your information might be shared.
During joint therapy, I have a “no secrets” policy. This means that I will not keep secrets between participating couples or family members during couples or family therapy. Over the course of treatment, patients will be seen together and may be seen separately. Information obtained in individual sessions will not be kept from partners or family members who are actively participating in joint therapy unless that information is in regards to HIV status or domestic violence.
If you are a high risk of suicide, if you are gravely disabled, if you are court-ordered and a probation officer is assigned to the case, if an authorization is signed, or if you are a minor and it is therapeutically appropriate to disclose to guardian information might be shared. Only pertinent information will be shared.
Ending Therapy:
How do I know when therapy is over?
The nature and severity of patient’s problems vary significantly from person to person. This is why the length and the treatment outcome can be discussed but cannot be promised in advance. Your progress in treatment will affect the date of your termination. You will be notified of the plan for termination and consulted every step of the way. Remember your input is vital to the process. No plans will be made or take effect without your consent.
Can I return to Therapy?
I beliebe that therapy is an ongoing process. I do not believe that is it ever truly over. This is why I have an opendoor policy. I allow for any and all clients to return to therapy if and when you like. My door is always open. Sometimes booster sessions are built into the termination process.
What if I want a different therapist?
The therapist/client relationship is the very most important and influential component effecting treatment outcome. It is extremely important that you feel that you have a good match. This is a topic that will be addressed together. It is always in your best interest to be open with your therapist because therapy is for you. A professional therapist will not be hurt by your honesty and will, in fact, be happy to supply you with referrals.
The office is located at
1059 El Monte Blvd, Suite B
Mountain View, CA 94040
Are all effects of therapy positive?
Through your therapeutic journey it is my hope to help you reach your goals. However, contrary to popular belief, the effects of treatment are not always positive. This process can be anxiety provoking and emotionally draining. I will do my very best to aide you in the process but it is your responsibility to remain actively committed to your goals.
What is a typical therapeutic treatment?
Typically treatment includes weekly sessions. However, some individuals opt to meet several times a week.
Consistency is an important part of the process so sessions are usually scheduled for the same day and time each week. Sessions are 50 minutes in length starting on the hour.
Do I need to come in to the office to have my session?
Yes, it is important that you attend sessions in person. If there is an extenuating circumstance that prevents you from attending therapy in person, other options will be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
How much does therapy cost?
The cost of each session is $140. If you cannot afford this payment a sliding scale will be used to determine your fee. This will be decided on a case-by-case basis. The sliding scale fee range is $90-$140.
All fees will be collected at the time of service.
I do not accept health insurance but I will provide you will a detailed invoice to send to your insurance company.
If, during the therapeutic process, you are unable to continue to pay for treatment, we can discuss a contract for alternative methods of payment. All options will be explored, including alternate care.
In the event that you wish for me to testify in a court of law, my hourly fee will be based on hours spent researching the case, writing the report, traveling, preparing depositions, giving testimony, as well as waiting in court.
If you wish for me to write letters or reports on your behalf, my hours rate applies.
What is the Cancelation Policy?
Regular attendance greatly improves treatment outcome so it is important that you attend all scheduled sessions even when you do not feel like you have anything to talk about. Believe it or not those are often the best sessions!
However, if you need to cancel an appointment please call 24 hours in advance. If you do not give 24 hour notice, you are responsible for paying for the missed session.
Will the information I discuss be kept private?
Information discussed in session is privileged and will remain strictly confidential. If you wish to release information to a third party you must provide written consent even if this person is a member of your immediate family. Please know that I take your right to confidentiality very seriously. At no point, will I confirm nor deny that you are my client without your written consent, no exceptions. Confidentiality survives you in the event of your death.
If you are a member of a group therapy process, your confidentiality will be kept by the therapist but it is possible that group members could break your confidentiality.
Is my information protected in court?
The psychotherapist-patient privilege protects the therapeutic content in a court of law. No information will be given in court without your permission, a court order or where legally required to do so. If you are receiving couples or family therapy all members obtaining treatment must sign the consent prior to the release of information. It is important to understand that if you waive your right to privilege, you cannot pick and choose what information is released. It is all or nothing.
Are there any limits to confidentiality?
There are limits to confidentiality. As a psychotherapist, I am a mandated reported. I must report any and all suspected child, elder, and/or dependent adult abuse. If you have any questions about what constitutes that can be discussed at any time. Also I may be required to break confidentiality to report instances when a client is a serious threat to him/herself and/or others. Only pertinent information will be released in these instances.
Your information will also be shared in instances of professional consultation and/or supervision. This is to ensure that you get the proper treatment that you deserve. In the event of a court order, an order from the Board of Behavioral Sciences, a search warrant naming the therapist as the subject, or a coroners request for information for the purpose of identify a descendent to locating next of kin or when investigating deaths that may involve a public health concern your files must be surrendered. In addition, section 215 of the Patriot Act of 2001 requires that under certain circumstances psychotherapists must provide information to the FBI without informing the client.
There are times when your information might be shared.
During joint therapy, I have a “no secrets” policy. This means that I will not keep secrets between participating couples or family members during couples or family therapy. Over the course of treatment, patients will be seen together and may be seen separately. Information obtained in individual sessions will not be kept from partners or family members who are actively participating in joint therapy unless that information is in regards to HIV status or domestic violence.
If you are a high risk of suicide, if you are gravely disabled, if you are court-ordered and a probation officer is assigned to the case, if an authorization is signed, or if you are a minor and it is therapeutically appropriate to disclose to guardian information might be shared. Only pertinent information will be shared.
Ending Therapy:
How do I know when therapy is over?
The nature and severity of patient’s problems vary significantly from person to person. This is why the length and the treatment outcome can be discussed but cannot be promised in advance. Your progress in treatment will affect the date of your termination. You will be notified of the plan for termination and consulted every step of the way. Remember your input is vital to the process. No plans will be made or take effect without your consent.
Can I return to Therapy?
I beliebe that therapy is an ongoing process. I do not believe that is it ever truly over. This is why I have an opendoor policy. I allow for any and all clients to return to therapy if and when you like. My door is always open. Sometimes booster sessions are built into the termination process.
What if I want a different therapist?
The therapist/client relationship is the very most important and influential component effecting treatment outcome. It is extremely important that you feel that you have a good match. This is a topic that will be addressed together. It is always in your best interest to be open with your therapist because therapy is for you. A professional therapist will not be hurt by your honesty and will, in fact, be happy to supply you with referrals.