FAQ
Where is your office located?
What are the benefits of telehealth?
When COVID happened, we moved to telehealth. I had my doubts about its effectiveness. I’m happy to report that my years of experience with it has convinced me it works very well, and all my clients are satisfied with it. As a result, I continued to work this way.
The major benefit you receive is convenience. You save time by not commuting and having the ease with which you can work our appointment into your schedule. You also may dress more casually.
Is telehealth effective?
Studies show telehealth is as effective as in-person sessions. I use HIPPA-compliant sites that ensure confidentiality.
Conversations are as deep and healing over the Internet as in person. We still make eye contact, notice nuances in our voices, see body language, and feel connected.
As a coach, I have for many years used technology for client sessions anywhere in the world.
As a therapist in California, I can now see people anywhere in the state. Especially with the growth in need and recognition of the value, this is a blessing.
How long are therapy sessions?
How long are coaching sessions?
What is your fee?
I offer packages for both therapy and coaching that we can discuss and decide upon in our free session.
Payment will be via credit card before the session.
Do you take insurance?
Do you have a cancellation policy?
How do I become your client?
Although calling seems to be the most efficient way to contact me, I prefer not to pick up a number I don’t recognize because of the many spam calls I receive on any day.
You may leave me a message with a call back number, your time zone, and your preference when I can best reach you. I will call as soon as I can on the same day or next.
Other ways are to email me or text. Once we’ve connected, we’ll schedule a free 20- to 30-minute session during which we will talk about your present situation, goals, and how I work.
We’ll ask each other questions. If we feel that there is a fit between us, we’ll take the next step. I will send you paperwork to read, sign, and return. We will schedule your first appointment, which will be confirmed when your paperwork and payment are received.
Is there anyone you won't see?
If something you require is different from the expertise I offer, I will tell you. In therapy, it may be that you need an expert in eating disorders, addiction, EMDR, DBT, or another modality or specialty requiring training that I do not have.
I no longer see couples or do family therapy, and I don’t see children or teens. I specialize in adults between 30 and 60, give or take a few years.
As a coach, if you are looking more for financial, legal, or other advice that is not my expertise, I will not see you. My expertise is people skills and how becoming more adept at those will help your business and personal life. I do have expertise in business partnerships.
Is there homework?
As we move ahead and progress toward your goal, I will suggest some things you can do during the week. Because I’m neither your boss nor your teacher, you don’t have to do it, but it will be something we decide together that makes sense.
EG, if you procrastinate or are overwhelmed by a big job that you keep putting off after deep questioning about its true importance to you, we may decide on a baby step to get you going. Next session, we’ll evaluate whether you have or have not done it and your feelings about either.
Sometimes, it will be a more difficult step, but we will discuss it and fit it into your stated goal. If you do not do it, I won’t judge you at all. We will revisit your goal, the reason the homework didn’t suit you at this time, obstacles, or clarity that it’s not as important as you once thought.
The pandemic and what comes next…
We have all been through a challenging year, and it may be closer to two before things open entirely.
Many destructive and sad things have happened, along with some fantastic, positive, and loving things.
As a coach and therapist working with people, I see increased anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. Many people are struggling financially, losing jobs and even businesses. Maintaining family relationships is more challenging.
We’ve seen a rise in domestic violence, divorce, even crime. But we’ve also seen extraordinary acts of kindness and heroism.
The worst of all has been losing loved ones. We experience grief at many levels and in many ways. Unfortunately, because of the constraints of COVID, usual modes of grief expression have not been available to people.
Social distancing, limited religious practices, funerals postponed, and lessened attendance have been obstacles to acknowledging the loss to varying degrees.
When the pandemic closedowns are officially over, these feelings will not just disappear. The loss of loved ones may become even more acute, and grief may begin anew. I am not suggesting, however, that even in regular times, a year is enough to deal with the loss.
When people say they want to get back to normal, it won’t just happen. What will we even call normal?
Businesses will open, people will work, kids will be in school, many fun things that have been unavailable will again be available. However, people will be missing. Family members will still grieve.
Some of these people could be you and certainly will be some of your employees, friends, colleagues, neighbors, clients.
And life will be different in many other ways. Many of us, including myself, learned we could work from home. To what degree will it continue? What will that mean for businesses or home life?
Children who have been at home for at least a year from school develop differently from when they are in social situations. They witnessed, and some took part in social movements, BLM, and watched the Capitol invaded by white supremacists. There are changes in our social makeup as a result.
We have been through a fantastic historical time. Normal will be new, and all of us will need to adjust. Some will be good; some will be difficult and require courage, creativity, and compassion.
Therapy and coaching are invaluable in these situations. There is much to do. I want to accompany you on your journey to a better, more loving, and productive place.