Frequently Asked Questions

Call (805) 293-1412 or use the booking page to schedule a consultation. The first meeting, also called the intake session, is held in-person at my Ventura office or via secure Zoom anywhere in California. You can also contact me with questions.

Yes. I treat child and teen anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and compulsive screen use. While I will see teens individually for therapy, the child therapy I practice is parent-based and family-centered. I do not see children on their own at this time. Learn more about SPACE treatment. Most of my work with teens involves parents as part of the process in some capacity.

The first session is a diagnostic evaluation appointment lasting approximately 60-90 minutes held in-person or via telehealth. The first appointment is part of a pre-treatment process where you will have the opportunity to share your history, current symptoms, and goals for therapy. I may conduct formal assessments for anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, or other concerns. We can discuss whether we are a good fit and begin to outline a collaborative plan for next steps. Request a consultation to get started.

The exact cause of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is not fully understood, but at this time it is believed to be a combination of genetic, neurological, and environmental factors. Individuals may have a history of other mental health conditions like depression, and personality traits like neuroticism, which can exacerbate symptoms. See more OCD resources.

The treatment with the strongest empirical support for symptom relief is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). ERP is a particular type of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and considered the gold standard treatment for OCD by the International OCD Foundation. ERP helps sufferers confront their triggers in a gradual and therapeutic manner, while stopping compulsions and gaining mastery over anxiety.

Recovery is a highly individualized process and it is not possible to quote an exact number of sessions. The length of time for a successful course of ERP treatment depends on variables like severity of symptoms, co-occurring mental health conditions, life stressors, commitment to change, how frequently you come to therapy, how much home practice you do outside of therapy, and the therapeutic alliance between us.

ERP is an exposure-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and considered the gold-standard, first line treatment for OCD. ERP involves the elements of exposure, ritual prevention, and post-exposure processing where we discuss your emotional response to the exposure and reinforce new learning.

Yes. I enjoy providing in-person therapy at my Ventura office and many clients feel in-person therapy is effective in quickly building a therapeutic alliance to address OCD symptoms. In-person sessions are available in Ventura County, with secure online therapy throughout California. Browse areas served.

Yes. I offer secure telehealth sessions via Zoom for clients throughout California. Many clients choose a mix of in-person and virtual sessions. If you are doing online therapy with me, you will need reliable WiFi, privacy, and to be free from distractions. See areas served for regional pages.

I am licensed to practice psychotherapy in California. Due to licensing laws, I am only able to work with clients who are physically present in California at the time of our session. This policy includes existing clients who may be traveling or who move away to attend college. California residents can book a consultation or contact me with questions.

Your appointment time is held exclusively for you on a standing weekly basis. Cancellations require a minimum of 2 business days' notice prior to your scheduled session time. If your appointment is not cancelled within the required time period, you will be charged the full fee for your session. See rates, insurance & office policies for full details.

I am in network with Gold Coast Health Plan. I do not bill other insurance companies or do Single Case Agreements. If you have another insurance plan I can provide a superbill for you to submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement. Contact your insurance to learn more about their terms. Full details are on the rates & insurance page.

Individual Psychotherapy (50 min) is $225 and the Intake Diagnostic Evaluation (90 min) is $300. Therapy sessions are typically once per week, although some clients choose to come more frequently. Payment is due at the time of service. All major credit/debit cards and HSA/FSA accounts are accepted. See rates, insurance & office policies for complete fee and insurance information, or schedule a consultation.