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Help Center
You Ask - I Answer
Have a question you’d like to ask? I’m committed to giving my clients the best experience I can. Check out the answers to the FAQs below, and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any additional questions.
![Plants](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b9c015a001da419a9b6b4618158bbc28.jpg/v1/fill/w_940,h_445,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Plants.jpg)
WHAT ARE SESSIONS LIKE? Therapy is fairly structured, we discuss your presenting concerns, your goals for treatment, explore obstacles that may be in the way and the strengths and values that may help build resiliency to get you where you want to be. Sessions are 50 minutes in length, frequency is generally once a week and treatment duration depends upon a number of factors including issue(s) and time available to commit to treatment.
Coaching sessions are more variable in length and frequency and programs are usually more flexible and time limited.
![Foggy Pier](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5a47467975164707be86bfeac844e3a2.jpg/v1/fill/w_445,h_445,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Foggy%20Pier.jpg)
WHAT TREATMENT MODALITIES DO YOU USE? I have been trained in a variety of therapeutic styles and integrate modalities depending on the client and the situation. Generally I draw upon Psychodynamic, Humanistic/Person Centered, Positive Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral and Mindfulness Based Therapies through a multicultural lens.
![Two Dried Leaves](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c4c62b96e0d24d89b1736f68399a0f48.jpg/v1/fill/w_675,h_450,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Two%20Dried%20Leaves.jpg)
DO YOU OFFER SLIDING SCALE? I have several spots in my practice that I reserve for clients who cannot pay my full fee, at the present time these spots are filled. There are several places in Los Angeles that offer free or low fee counseling including the Southern California Counseling Center, Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic, Open Paths, and the Maple Counseling Center.
![Bloom](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/24bba47f40f8473a534ae0301bf748c9.jpg/v1/fill/w_593,h_445,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Bloom.jpg)
WHAT IS CBT? According to the American Psychological Association "Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological treatment that has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems including depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug use problems, marital problems, eating disorders, and severe mental illness. Numerous research studies suggest that CBT leads to significant improvement in functioning and quality of life. In many studies, CBT has been demonstrated to be as effective as, or more effective than, other forms of psychological therapy or psychiatric medications. It is important to emphasize that advances in CBT have been made on the basis of both research and clinical practice. Indeed, CBT is an approach for which there is ample scientific evidence that the methods that have been developed actually produce change. In this manner, CBT differs from many other forms of psychological treatment. CBT is based on several core principles, including:
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1. Psychological problems are based, in part, on faulty or unhelpful ways of thinking.
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2. Psychological problems are based, in part, on learned patterns of unhelpful behavior.
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3. People suffering from psychological problems can learn better ways of coping with them, thereby relieving their symptoms and becoming more effective in their lives. CBT treatment usually involves efforts to change thinking patterns. These strategies might include: • Learning to recognize one’s distortions in thinking that are creating problems, and then to reevaluate them in light of reality. • Gaining a better understanding of the behavior and motivation of others. • Using problem-solving skills to cope with difficult situations. • Learning to develop a greater sense of confidence is one’s own abilities. CBT treatment also usually involves efforts to change behavioral patterns. These strategies might include: • Facing one’s fears instead of avoiding them. • Using role playing to prepare for potentially problematic interactions with others. • Learning to calm one’s mind and relax one’s body.
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Not all CBT will use all of these strategies. Rather, the psychologist and patient/client work together, in a collaborative fashion, to develop an understanding of the problem and to develop a treatment strategy. CBT places an emphasis on helping individuals learn to be their own therapists. Through exercises in the session as well as “homework” exercises outside of sessions, patients/clients are helped to develop coping skills, whereby they can learn to change their own thinking, problematic emotions, and behavior. CBT therapists emphasize what is going on in the person’s current life, rather than what has led up to their difficulties. A certain amount of information about one’s history is needed, but the focus is primarily on moving forward in time to develop more effective ways of coping with life."
![Ducks Over the Lake](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bf466175a88e4f6193cb7ddf182ef8d9.jpg/v1/fill/w_670,h_445,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Ducks%20Over%20the%20Lake.jpg)
WHAT IS POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY? According to the University of Pennsylvania's Positive Psychology Center "Positive Psychology is the scientific study of the strengths that enable individuals and communities to thrive. The field is founded on the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves, and to enhance their experiences of love, work, and play."
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