General Questions
What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a way to address, with the goal of resolving, any personal concerns, issues or problems you may be experiencing. It is based on a consistent and supportive professional relationship between client, and therapist.
What is couples therapy?
Couples therapy is a process that explores relationship issues, and how each partner is organized around connection. The question is exploring and resolving: “What’s in the way of connection?”
What is integrated somatic psychotherapy?
Somatic psychotherapy is a method of psychotherapy that incorporates a holistic perspective of the mind-body-spirit, integrating sensory awareness, and talk therapy.
How does somatic psychotherapy differ from other forms of psychotherapy?
Somatic psychotherapy uses embodiment technics to explore, and deepen your experience, using mindfulness (awareness).
What is Hakomi?
Hakomi is a method using depth pyschotherapy, and experiential somatic techniques inviting different categories of experience to be mindfully explored, such as images, sensations, impulses, beliefs, memories, longings and dreams.
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is a psychotherapy model, using bilateral eye movements, tactile, or audio stimulation to support desensitization, and reprocessing of challenging emotions, and experiences. The EMDR process creates a learning state to facilitate resolution of ‘undigested’ material, and allows the brain to store the newly learned material more appropriately.
What is the goal of EMDR?
The aim of EMDR is to alleviate problematic images, emotions, beliefs, and body sensations which are causing distress, and facilitate a better understanding, and experience of yourself in healthier, and more flexible ways.
How long does EMDR last?
EMDR traditionally consists of 8 phases of treatment, over a course of time depending on your therapeutic needs. We would typically set up a 75 minute therapy session, as you begin the EMDR process.
Beginning Therapy
What can I expect?
Each person’s experience is unique. It is good to have in mind that psychotherapy can be occasionally challenging, as well as meaningful, bringing up difficult emotions and experiences.
How do I begin?
We begin by our initial phone conversation, which may be a way to see if we would be a good fit. With the first scheduled session, we will be able to better determine if we want to continue meeting. If you or I, or both of us, feel we would not be a good match, I can offer you the names of other psychotherapists who may be able to assist you.
How often we will meet?
We will meet regularly once a week at a mutually available time.
How long are the sessions?
Individual and Couples therapy sessions are 50 minutes.
What is your cancellation policy?
I have a 48 hour cancellation notice. Your therapy hour is a time specifically for you; therefore, if you are late or do not cancel your appointment with at least 48 hours advance notice, it will be necessary to charge you your full fee.
Do you have a sliding scale?
Yes, I offer a sliding scale with moderate fees, and will work with you based on your financial needs.
Do you take insurance?
I do not take insurance at this time. I can provide a Services Rendered Statement for your insurance company for reimbursement or for your tax purposes.
Additional Information
What is the best way to contact you?
The best way to contact me is to telephone my office at 415-522-0707, or reach me at explorethewisdom@gmail.com
Please leave a confidential message, with a few good times for me to reach you.
What if I’m having an emergency?
If you are having a psychological emergency and I am not available, please call 911.
Suicide Prevention: (415)781-0500
Emergency: (415) 206-8111
How do I contact The Board of Behavioral Sciences?
The Board of Behavioral Sciences receives and responds to complaints regarding services provided within the scope of practice of Marriage and Family Therapists.
You may contact the Board online at www.bbs.ca.gov or call (916) 574-7830