Therapy

Therapy and Services:  Please read this section, it includes important information about the type of therapy I offer, billing, and virtual therapy. 

My approach is research and evidence-based, from psychology, neuroscience,  and contemplative practices such as mindful living and meditation, although Buddhism is not implied here. Working with me is both experiential and an interactive conversation to keep your energy flowing, and free the areas that are blocked. Blocks show up as emotional and physical symptoms, anxiety, poor sleep, depression, overeating, poor concentration, fear, unhappiness, pain or illness, anger, inadequacy, no confidence, indecisive and stagnant, and under-employed.

I see some or all of your symptoms as signals and road signs helping you, by calling out for attention, to guide your way.  This is not a “one size fits all” “make it work” approach.

I’ll teach you mindfulness-based techniques, which are based on what we now know about the brain and how to work with it to your advantage,  and self-compassion to release your symptoms and facilitate your true self fill the empty space.

When you focus inward rather than outward, you integrate the wisdom you’ve acquired over time, including experiences and intuitions. Some of you will lead from your spirit. Focusing inward will allow you to live your authentic life and natural self.

There are many ways to meditate and foster restorative healing for your mind, body, and brain. I will teach you the basic way to meditate for mind-body well-being. Meditating can also offer a way to meet with your Higher Self or whatever Greater Source you relate to. Once learned and practiced, meditation is a flowing path of loving support, guidance, calm, objectivity, discernment, and joy.

I work exclusively with adults, men and women, on an individual basis. A client can bring a spouse or child in for a session or two if it benefits their own therapy.

FEES and SERVICES

This is a fee-for-service practice. I accept checks through the mail, Zelle payments through your bank, and credit cards. I provide a “superbill” on a monthly basis if requested for clients with PPO Out-Of-Network insurance benefits. This means the reimbursement will be sent to  you and you will pay for your service in full to me at the time we meet. Not everyone has insurance or wants to use it, so I base my fee on the current local and standard rates to make it work for more people. At the bottom of this page is information about the Good Faith Estimate to avoid any surprises in you charges. *

I know this doesn’t work for everyone, and I’m sorry about that. The course your therapy takes will be determined by you and me, not an insurance company or diagnosis or number of sessions allowed. Our work together will just be based on what your needs and goals are for you. All of the information you share with me, in writing and in consultations, is held strictly confidential.

Self-reliance is my intention for you. You will have your own sense of directing your life, and you will have methods for insight to use on your own for the rest of your life. I keep the number of sessions to what is essentially needed and effective, rather than go on for years. Instead, once we have done the work, I prefer meeting periodically for tune-ups or check-ins as needed. With our relationship established, it will be possible to pick up wherever you are, in most cases.

I ask potential clients to arrange a brief phone call with me before making a first appointment, rather than email. This is to determine if we are a good fit. I seldom offer traditional psychotherapy, but that may not be what is best for you at this time. If that’s true, I can make a referral for you.  Call me at 805-320-9361.

Private sessions are available for 30, 60, or 90 minutes and depend on what suits your need during that visit. I also offer private instruction for meditation that is geared to your current needs and experience.

We meet through my HIPPA-approved encrypted video site for psychotherapy sessions. You can use a computer, laptop, phone and tablet. You will be ivited into my client portal system when you become a client, providing security and privacy in video sessions, and our communication by email.

Don’t hesitate to ask me any questions about any of this.
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*  Good Faith Estimate-No Surprises Act – 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 an insurance plan or coverage or a Federal health care program, or not seeking to file a claim with their plan or coverage, a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges, both orally and in writing or upon request or at the time of scheduling health care service.

Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate 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 for medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees. (There will be no ancillary charges from my office, no tests, drugs, equipment or hospital fees that you will require in your therapeutic work with me that I will send you a bill for.)

As your provider, I will give you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your first session if at all possible. This will require you to enter all of the information asked for in your portal at least 1 day before we meet, preferably earlier than that if possible.

You will receive a  customized “Good Faith Estimate” of how much your therapy care will cost. Due to the nature of therapy however, a total is established by the number of sessions you request and receive, not by a pre-set package or something I can estimate.

You can also ask your health care provider, and any other providers 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. (This will not occur in my practice as your fee is due at the time of service so there can be no surprises.)

There will be a copy of your Good Faith Estimate in your portal and they recommend you save one or take a picture for your files as well.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, call me or visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises

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