Why Seek Mental Health Care?
Emotional Awareness
Being able to identify and name your emotions helps you better understand difficult or distressing feelings and respond to them in healthier, more effective ways. Low emotional awareness is associated with a greater risk of mental health challenges, including depression and anxiety.
Stress Management
Chronic stress can significantly reduce quality of life and contribute to a range of health problems. Learning to manage long-term stress can help lower the risk of conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease, gastrointestinal issues, and muscle tension. Stress can also affect your ability to work and concentrate, making it harder to respond calmly and effectively in triggering situations.
Adaptive Coping
We are constantly bombarded with information and demands in our daily lives. Developing healthy, adaptive coping strategies is an essential life skill, yet it is not often taught or modeled by caregivers and educators during the crucial early years of development. As a result, many adults find it difficult to self-regulate when they feel stressed or overwhelmed.
Healthy Relationships
Taking care of your mental health can positively impact the quality of your relationships. Unhealthy relationships can take a toll on your emotional well-being, while healthy relationships involve learning to set clear boundaries, recognizing which relationships support you and which do not, and becoming aware of the patterns you may bring into your connections with others.
Mental Health Services Offered
Complimentary Consultation
The initial consultation is 15 minutes and takes place over the phone. This would be a good time to inquire about provider experience, training, out-of-network costs and insurance accepted, treatment approaches, and to discuss whether you would like to move forward with scheduling an assessment to begin your care. My success with clients is built on the therapeutic alliance. It is important that you feel comfortable and safe coming to your weekly sessions and sharing about yourself with me. If we are not a good match, I will do my best to provide recommendations for follow-up with someone who may be a better fit.
Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation
In our first meeting, I will review practice policies, informed consent, and ask a lot of questions about your background and history. In order to fully understand how I can support you, a thorough assessment will guide us in determining what we will focus on in our work together. The first appointment will also help you and I build rapport, go over therapy goals, and discuss the frequency and length of your care.
($250: 60–90 minutes)
Individualized Support
I currently offer virtual therapy online via Zoom meetings to clients throughout the state of California. Therapy sessions begin after the assessment appointment at a time that we agree upon. Each session can last up to one hour and the cadence is on a weekly basis. We usually begin with a check-in about how you are feeling that week and talk about the issues you wish to address that were discussed during your assessment, or any new concerns that arise. The therapeutic relationship can be short-term (3-6 months) or long-term (over 6+ months), depending on the needs and severity of your concerns. Every therapeutic relationship has a beginning, middle, and end. At the beginning, there may be a lot to unpack and talk about. The middle is where you begin to apply what you have learned in therapy and develop a good grasp of handling situations that were initially overwhelming and stressful. The end is when you are independently coping, no longer need support from your therapist, and are ready to graduate from therapy. I am here to support you on this journey until you are ready to graduate. After you’ve graduated, you may resume care at a later time if the need arises. ($200 per session for 60 minutes)
Case Management Services
I provide resources and referrals to clients to supplement mental health services. Case management services are a standalone service provided via phone or video call and include the following: helping you navigate healthcare systems, understanding health insurance, communicating with your doctors, advocating for services you are eligible for, and linkage to community resources. These resources can include other medical and mental health providers (e.g. psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners), local community agencies, employment assistance programs, free or low-cost community mental health services, legal aid, and government agencies, depending on your needs (e.g., couples counseling, family counseling, financial assistance, healthcare, food pantries, shelters, language-specific services, etc.). These resources and referrals may vary by location and clients’ needs, as they differ for each county within the state of California. This service is not covered by insurance. ($50: 30 minutes)
Your Well-Being Mental Health Services 