INDIVIDUAL
PSYCHOTHERAPY

The initial consultation is a brief check-in where I will gather some background information to assess if I can assist you effectively. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask questions and get a sense of my working style. If you have any concerns about starting therapy, please let me know so we can discuss them. We’ll also cover logistical details. If we decide to proceed, we will schedule a consistent time to begin our work together. If not, I’m happy to provide referrals to others who may be a better fit.

My standard rate for therapy is $250 per session.

That said, I recognize that financial circumstances vary, and I am open to discussing a fee that is sustainable for you on an ongoing basis.

My goal is to earn a living wage while remaining accessible to a diverse range of clients. I invite each client to consider a fee that reflects both their financial reality and the depth of work we are engaging in together. The lowest I currently slide is $175.

For those with greater financial flexibility, paying the full rate supports my ability to offer reduced fees to individuals who face structural and economic barriers to accessing care. This approach helps ensure that therapy remains available to those who might not otherwise be able to afford it. If you would like to discuss sliding scale options, please reach out, and we can explore what feels both fair and feasible.

I am currently offer both in-person and virtual therapy (California + worldwide). My office is located in downtown San Luis Obispo, CA. For virtual therapy, I use a secure videoconferencing platform and your confidentiality will be held in the upmost regard.

The initial sessions focus on determining if we are a good fit and how I can best support you. During this time, you’ll have the opportunity to share your story and what has led you to therapy. We’ll explore the issues you want to address and establish a mutual understanding of the therapy’s goals and how to achieve them. Our collaboration will help us find the most effective way to work together.

Every session and every patient is unique.

However, I want you to know that you will be encouraged to speak freely, and I will help you explore the underlying meanings behind your thoughts and feelings. Nothing is off-limits. As we work together, we’ll begin to notice that the struggles you face outside therapy often emerge within the therapeutic relationship. This is because our earliest relationships shape how we understand ourselves and interact with others. Since this relational template is deeply ingrained, it can be challenging to recognize on our own. By putting words to our present experiences, we can explore new ways of relating and being understood. Through this process of self-awareness and collaborative repair, we work towards feeling more integrated and whole.

I’ve chosen not to accept insurance to prioritize the quality and integrity of the work I do with my clients. Insurance often imposes restrictions on the type and length of treatment, which can limit the depth and flexibility needed for meaningful, lasting change. It also requires a mental health diagnosis to justify treatment, which may not align with the complexities of a person’s experiences or their goals for therapy. By working outside of the constraints of insurance, I can focus fully on providing care that is tailored to each individual’s unique needs, honoring the time and space necessary for a thoughtful and collaborative process.

However, I am happy to offer you a monthly super bill for you to submit to your insurance company if your policy provides out-of-network coverage (Most PPO's do so check your policy!)

If you have insurance and would like to seek reimbursement, it may be helpful for you to ask the following questions to your insurance company before starting our work together:

* Do I have mental health insurance benefits?

* Does my policy offer out-of-network coverage? What percentage of my bill will be reimbursed from an out-of-network provider?

* Do I have a deductible for mental health?

* How many sessions are covered per calendar year?

* Do I have a co-payment?

The relationship between therapist and patient is crucial, and finding the right match is essential for effective therapy. Sometimes, it takes a bit of trial and error to find a therapist who truly fits your needs. Over the years, I’ve worked with many patients who have faced challenges with previous therapists for various reasons. If you’ve been disappointed with other treatments, I’d be happy to discuss whether working together might be a good fit for you.

Psychoanalytic psychotherapy is a thoughtful, research-supported approach to understanding yourself more fully. With over a hundred years of clinical tradition and modern evidence to back it, this form of therapy is known for its depth and effectiveness in addressing a wide range of concerns—like anxiety, depression, relationship patterns, trauma, and more.

Rather than offering quick fixes or surface-level strategies, psychoanalytic therapy is about exploring the deeper layers of your experience: your emotions, unconscious motivations, past relationships, and inner conflicts. By paying close attention to what’s often just outside of awareness, you can begin to make sense of patterns that may have felt confusing or limiting. In a consistent, trusting therapeutic relationship, this process opens up new ways of thinking, feeling, and relating—to yourself and to others. The result is often a greater sense of clarity, agency, and connection in your life.

Choosing to prioritize your mental health can be a huge undertaking. You may have all sorts of thoughts and feelings about the fee, the time commitment, and what may be asked of you. I remember being nervous too when I first started. However, we never quite know where the process will take us until we start. And the thing about psychotherapy is that you won't have to figure it out alone. You are welcome to reach out with any questions by completing the form above and I will get back to you soon.