Here are the answers to questions we hear often. If you don’t see the answer you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to send us an email.

 

How long will therapy take?

And the short answer is, it depends.

There is no set amount of time for a set type of struggle, but there are a few factors that will determine how long your treatment will take.

  • The severity and complexity of the issue you’re seeking help with

  • How long you’ve been experiencing symptoms

  • What type of resources you have in your life

  • What you support system is like

  • And most importantly, your commitment to treatment and willingness to change.

The type of therapy we conduct focuses more on depth-oriented work as opposed to only treating your symptoms. Our goal is to get down to the core of the issue, look at the strategies you’ve come up with for managing the issue and really explore if these strategies are continue to work for you.

We work to create lasting changes in YOU, how you experience your world and how you operate in your world. This is not short-term work but can have a lasting, life-changing impact.

 

What are your hours?

We see clients 6 days a week, during the days and evenings. Our hours are as follows:

  • Monday: 9am – 8pm
  • Tuesday: 9am – 8pm
  • Wednesday: 9am – 8pm
  • Thursday: 9am – 8pm
  • Friday: 9am – 6pm
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed

 

What methods of payment do you accept?

We accept Visa, MasterCard, AMEX and Health Savings Account Cards. Payment is due the day of session. We ask all clients to provide us with a credit card number to keep on file.

 

Do you do phone or video sessions?

We do.

We can treat anyone in California via phone, video sessions or live in our offices.

Also, if we normally see you live in-person and you need a video session one week, no problem: just give us a little advanced notice and we’ll be good to go.

Where are you located?

My office is located at 15814 Winchester Blvd., Suite 105 in Los Gatos. We are right next door to Pottery Planet. OUr office is located on the second floor and there is a ramp if needed.

How long are the sessions?

Our sessions are 45-50 minutes in length as this is the industry standard.

If needed, for family or couples we can accommodate 90 minute sessions if our schedules allow for it.

 

How often will we meet?

For all new patients we recommend meeting weekly. If you are experiencing a crisis or for more depth-work we will, at times, suggest meeting twice weekly or more often for a more -indepth treatment.

Meeting weekly keeps the pace of therapy and change and progress happens more quickly. When spacing sessions out to bi-weekly, often times we’ll lose time to playing ‘catch-up’, instead of working in the therapeutic process or addressing the issues causing you discomfort. We want you to make good use of your time.

When treatment is beginning to near it’s close or pause, we can discuss lessening the frequency of sessions to bi-weekly. This allows you to have a gradual increase on self-dependence to maintain your progress.

 

What can I expect in a therapy session?

It may be slightly different in each session and with each therapist. You will generally direct the flow of the session. Your therapist may initiate the start of the session by asking how you are to invite you to share your thoughts, experiences and feelings. You should expect to do a majority of the talking, especially in the beginning states of treatment. In our work, we will let you bring us the ‘meat’ of the issue and we will help you take a good, hard look at what you’re discussing, ask questions to help you find clarity and the meaning of your experience, or provide guidance and education about what you’re facing.

How do I know therapy is right for me?

We’re completely biased, but we firmly believe everyone could benefit from going to therapy. And we also realize some people need it more than others.

You may need therapy if you:

  • recognize you’re experiencing anxiety or depression.

  • are acting out.

  • your normal coping tools aren’t bringing you relief.

  • you realize you want to make a change in your life but you’re feeling lost in starting.

  • are experiencing a crisis and you need support from a qualified, mental-health professional.

Our society is becoming more and more accepting that people need mental health support. Going to therapy is no longer just for people with ‘issues’ or have a serious mental health diagnosis. Therapy is for people who are in crisis, struggling, are looking to gain more insight and self-awareness or want something MORE from life.

And, we’re such strong believers in the power of therapy that we’re client’s, too.

We won’t ask you to do anything we’re not willing to do ourselves, which means having our own therapists. We know it makes us better therapists to continue to do our own work.

Will you tell anyone what we talk about?

Absolutely not.

One of the most important pieces is the therapeutic relationship which is based on trust and confidentiality. Confidentiality allows you to feel safe enough to fully bring your true self into your session. No need to filter, or alter yourself in any way. What you say in the room, stays in the room.

This also applies to minors. When working with teens, it is vital for our younger clients to understand we are THEIR therapist. Legally and ethically, we must hold our teen client’s confidentiality as strongly as our older clients.

Without this understanding that your teen is safe to really open up to us, we won’t be able to help.

If we know we will be speaking to our teen client’s parents, we will make a point to ask your child “Is there anything you want me to tell your parents and is there anything you don’t want me to tell your parents?” Showing your teen we hold their confidence and privacy to dearly allows them to bring their inner selves to their treatment.

We understand how vulnerable parents can sometimes feel with this and we recognize the trust you have in us.

I’ve been to therapy before and it sucked. Why should I go back?

Therapy can suck sometimes.

There will be sessions when you are talking about memories or experiences that you’d rather forget about or pretend never happened. Sessions when you discover something you don’t like about yourself or you’re feeling overwhelmed with all the changes.

And sometimes, your therapist will make a mistake. We may miscommunicate, not understand or disappoint you in some way. We strongly encourage you to bring this up if this is your experience.

A part of the therapeutic work is learning how to have a healthy relationship. and being in therapy allows you to experiment with new ways of being in a relationship in a safe way. If you’ve been a people-pleaser or are heavily conflict-avoidant, think of your therapist letting you down as an opportunity to practice a new skill. Practice asking for what you want or practice sharing what you don’t like.

 

Do you offer crisis services?

It depends on the crisis. If the crisis escalates we will provide referrals for a higher level of care and assist you in the transition. You don’t have to experience that alone.

If there are serious safety concerns, active suicide or homicide attempts, and someone is a danger to themselves or others, then we encourage you to call the local 24-hour crisis line.

Santa Clara County 855-278-4204

If you are the parent of a minor and need immediate, emergency assistance for your child, we encourage you to call Uplift’s 24-hour emergency mental health services.

Uplift Family Services, Emergency Mental Health for Youth 877-412-7474

If you are a current client experiencing a psychiatric or mental health emergency, please contact us as soon as safely possible.

How much will it cost to receive services?

The cost of services depends on a number of factors including your provider’s fee, frequency of services, and duration of treatment. You can receive an estimate of service costs as described below.

As of January 1, 2022, under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, health care providers and health care facilities are required to inform individuals who are not enrolled in a plan or coverage or a Federal health care program, or not seeking to file a claim with their plan or coverage both orally and in writing of their ability, upon request or at the time of scheduling health care items and services, to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” of expected charges.

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost.

Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

  • You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.

  • Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.

  • If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.

  • Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

 

I had an affair, and I’m afraid you and my spouse will just gang up against me.

We totally get that fear. Your therapist taking sides with one person or the other gets us nowhere. Every person alive has made mistakes and done things they regret—us included! We keep therapy fair and balanced because it’s the only way to get to the bottom of why the affair happened and what we need to change going forward. You may be villainizing yourself, but it won’t come from us.