Is telehealth (online therapy) right for me?
It could be right for you if:
you have a private space to talk.
you want more privacy (option to talk on the phone or without video).
you have accessibility needs and online is a better option for regular therapy.
you have reliable enough internet connection.
your have a busy schedule and commuting would prevent you from attending sessions otherwise.
you do not need a high level of care that requires more intensive support (ie: frequent psychiatric hospitalizations and/or disturbing and unmanaged psychosis)
What is somatic therapy?
Somatic therapy is a body-centered approach that focuses on healing and supporting the relationship between mind and body. It varies from traditional talk therapy because it actively draws our attention to the experience of body sensations and how they relate to our emotional state. Somatic therapy is especially effective in relieving symptoms of PTSD, depression, and stress.
Do you use any other modalities?
Yes! Just like me, my therapeutic approach is eclectic. I’m not married to any one approach. My work is largely informed by trauma-informed care, feminist theory, particularly that of queer and/or Black feminists (shout out to adrienne maree brown, Angelia Davis, and Julia Serano), climate consciousness and de-centering humans, psychodynamic exploration (making the unconscious conscious), and relational therapy.
My graduate level training was in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on addressing negative thinking and behaviors, facing fears, and more helpful patterns. I don’t do strictly CBT therapy but I do offer options to learn CBT skills.
What kind of somatic approaches do you use?
I use three main modalities: somatic attachment, yoga, and mindfulness.
Somatic Attachment Therapy (SAT) draws on attachment theory and somatics to create practices that increase our capacity for intimate connection and safety in our relationships to self, others, and our environment. Using accessible practices, SAT supports nervous system regulation and secure relational attachments. I trained in somatic attachment therapy with Dr. Scott Lyons, Karine Bell, Kai Cheng Thom, and Dr. Maureen Gallagher at The Embody Lab.
Yoga is an evidence based practice that originated in India thousands of years ago. It uses a holistic system of breath, movement, meditation and philosophy to decrease the business of the mind, increase focus, and emotional regulation. I can offer breathing techniques, movement routines, and guided meditation to help manage anxiety, depression, and stress.
Mindfulness differs from yoga in that it is strongly influenced by Buddhist philosophy. While I don’t subscribe to any organized religious beliefs, I do find Buddhist philosophy (and spiritual philosophy from many difference sources) to be valuable in supporting compassion and acceptance. Mindfulness helps with self awareness, emotional regulation, and stress resilience. It helps us feel more present and more alive.
I have not had official training in somatic experiencing (SE) and generative somatics but I resonate deeply with their practices and incorporate what I’ve learned into my therapeutic work.
Do you work through the traditional psychology medical model?
Short answer: no. Long answer: a little bit. I do not believe what we classify as mental disorders are caused by chemical imbalances or a result of a “broken brain;” I do not believe they are an individual’s issue and mental disorder symptoms cause physical disturbances in our bodies that often require medical intervention (like digestive problems, high blood pressure and chronic pain). I believe mental disorders are mostly caused by experiences of trauma and chronic stress— either interpersonal or systemic. I mean, look at the current condition of our society: high rates of poverty, abuse, and incarceration! Of course people are chronically traumatized and stressed. Regardless of the cause, people deserve access to therapeutic interventions so they can find symptom relief, whether that’s psychotherapy, medication, or another form of medical intervention. At the end of the day, psychiatry and psychology is rooted in a very violent history and it can be lifeline for people.
How do I know you’re the right therapist for me?
I tend to work best with people who are part of the LGBTQ+ community (or their enthusiastic allies) who want an equitable, collaborative therapeutic relationship and do not want traditional psychotherapy (ie: blank slate therapist, talk therapy only, interventions that don’t hold space for the impact of environment and systems). Many of my clients are suspicious of psychology and psychiatry, and have had harmful experiences with healthcare providers in the past. However, I also like to be surprised! I am very open to working with people who may fall outside these demographics and experiences.
I’m probably not a good fit for people who want a therapist who works mostly from the medical model and views mental health as only an individual’s responsibility.
How much does therapy cost?
$160 is my fee for individuals and the average cost for private pay therapy in California. For couples and polycules my fee is $190. Those are for 50 minute sessions and 60 minute sessions, respectively. Longer sessions are available at pro-rated prices.
Why don’t you take insurance?
I’m an out of network provider, which means I don’t bill insurance directly and I can’t guarantee that my services will be reimbursed by your insurance. Accepting insurance would make my services more affordable but would reduce the quality of care I can provide.
Benefits of being out of network:
Smaller, more manageable caseload, which means I can spend more time and energy with you.
More privacy and less influence from insurance, who often dictate how long you can be in therapy and what interventions are covered. I won’t get bogged down by the endless amounts of paperwork and you experience increased privacy from insurance companies (which require diagnosis and sometimes private details of sessions for reimbursement). Diagnosis can be used as a helpful lens instead of the primary way of developing goals and treatment plans.
What can I expect at my first appointment?
For our first appointment we’ll mostly be getting to know each other and I’ll ask about what brings you to therapy. You’re welcome to share as much or little as you want during our intake session. You can tell me your hopes for healing. There’ll be time for questions and feedback. Since we’ll be doing teleheath, I recommend setting up a private space in your home or outdoors where you won’t be interrupted. You might want resources nearby to help you feel more comfortable like water, blankets, animals, tissues, snacks, plants, or anything else that feels like a resource.
How long do therapy sessions last and how long does the entire course of therapy take?
A typical session lasts 50 minutes and we see each other weekly. I can also accommodate longer and more frequent sessions. The length of therapy is dependent on what you’re focused on and the level of care you’d like. Skills-based therapy (ie: learning meditation and self regulating) can be more short term, but attachment and relational healing usually needs more long term support. We can discuss your expectations when we begin therapy and check-in regularly to decide when you’re ready to transition out of regular sessions.
Who are you? How do you identify?
I love rummaging through paradox and live strongly from a “both/and” way of being. I’m committed to being transparent about who I am and as someone who has worked to defy strict categorization I don’t want to be defined by a list of checked boxes. With that being said, I understand the importance of using identity categories to communicate our experiences and find our people. I am neurodivergent/ADHD, white (Irish/German descent), small fat/”plus sized", and queer (bi, nonbinary, fluid, femme), among other things. I’m also a writer, artist, hiker, avid reader, educator, and consider myself a cynical idealist. I hold space for these identities to change and remain in flux. In the words of Walt Whitman, “Do I contradict myself? / Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)”