What is the process of starting therapy?

Free 15-minute consultation

Before beginning therapy, we start with a free 15-minute no obligation phone or video consultation to answer your questions about therapy. We will discuss how we can work together.

Once you complete your consultation, we can schedule your intake session and you will receive a link to your client portal. The client portal is where you complete your intake paperwork. This paperwork includes information about your rights as a client of therapy, practice policies, and basic relationship and mental health questions. 

90-minute intake session

During our 90-minute intake session, we’ll take the time to connect, share your story, and begin crafting a plan together for how I can best support you. It’s an opportunity for us to build a supportive partnership from the very start, ensuring that you feel heard, understood, and empowered as we move forward.

Weekly or bi-weekly 55-minute therapy sessions

After the intake session, we’ll meet for 55-minute therapy sessions, either weekly or bi-weekly, depending on your specific needs and goals. I primarily work with individuals and couples who are interested in long-term therapy, which involves a deeper, more ongoing exploration of patterns, emotions, and behaviors that influence your life and relationships. Long-term therapy allows us to build a strong, trusting therapeutic relationship where we can address both immediate concerns and deeper, underlying issues over time.

Values Statement

I aim to create a space free of judgment where clients can explore their identities, relationship dynamics, and communication needs. As a member of Inclusive Therapists, I uphold the following values. I affirm couples and individual from all sexual orientations, genders, religions, ethnicities, and relationship structures.

FAQs

Where are you located?

My office is in Irvine, California and I provide virtual (telehealth) therapy across the states of California, Utah, and South Carolina. I am fully licensed in all three states.

What is the cost of therapy?

Please see the investment page for information about my fees.

How long will I be in therapy?

When it comes to treatment planning, I tailor the therapy experience to your needs. Therapy is a highly individualized process: some clients may benefit from just a few sessions, while others seek a longer-term therapeutic relationship. In our initial sessions, we’ll discuss your needs and develop a personalized treatment plan. I view the therapeutic relationship as a lifelong one, allowing you the flexibility to pause and resume therapy as needed. As I often say to my clients, “You always know where to find me.” I personally favor depth therapy approaches which favor time. Time allows space and consistency needed to fully understand and work through complex emotions, relationship dynamics, and life transitions, ultimately providing more sustainable results for your well-being.

Do you provide a diagnosis?

Some clients find it empowering to determine if they meet clinical criteria for anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or other mental health conditions. If you choose, your therapy can include a diagnostic screening and assessment. My specific diagnostic expertise also includes psychosis related illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, and substance induced psychosis.

Can I come to therapy with my teenager or parent?

Yes, I offer family therapy and you are welcome to bring a “guest” if you decide this may help you. I have had tremendous success hosting sessions for sisters who can’t seem to find common ground, parents or teens who need a third party to communicate their feelings, and people who decide to bring their partner from time to time to discuss a specific relationship challenge or goal. I send a session outline to all parties involved so that all parties involved can emotionally and mentally prepare for the session.

What are your beliefs and values?

I believe deeply in the importance of valuing all intersectional identities in the therapeutic space. I see myself and everyone on this earth as interconnected, recognizing both our shared humanity and our unique experiences. Understanding human differences—shaped by systems, nationalities, ethnicities, genders, sexualities, spiritualities, and socioeconomic statuses—is essential to this. I’m committed to creating an environment of unconditional acceptance for diversity, where my clients are seen, valued, and affirmed. I provide affirming care for LGBT+ individuals and those in ethically non-monogamous (ENM) relationships, and I am dedicated to actively challenging racism, white supremacy, and all forms of oppression and discrimination. Therapy is inherently political, and as a systemic therapist, I recognize the ongoing need for self-reflection, education, and advocacy to promote equity, inclusion, and justice.

What questions should I ask during my free consultation?

During the consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to ask me about my approach to therapy, my experience with your specific concerns, and any questions you may have about scheduling or how I work. I believe in being open and transparent, so you can make the best decision about whether I’m the right fit for you. If there’s anything you'd like to know about me as a person or how I approach therapy, please feel free to ask. I’m here to ensure you feel comfortable and confident in your choice.

Who is therapy for?

Everyone.