Frequently Asked Questions

  • I am currently in-network with:

    • Aetna

    • Anthem

    • Blue Cross Blue Shield

    • Carelon Behavioral Health

    • Cigna & Evernorth

    • Independence Blue Cross

    • Quest Behavioral Health

    If you have a PPO plan, I can help verify whether I’m in-network through Headway. Some PPO plans also offer out-of-network benefits that may reimburse a portion of session costs.

    Not sure what your coverage looks like?

    • I’m happy to help. I can verify your benefits through Headway and provide an estimate of your cost per session before we begin so you feel clear, informed, and confident about your options.

  • Yes. I offer private pay (self-pay) sessions for clients who prefer not to use insurance.

    Rates:

    • Individual Therapy: Starting at $180 per session

    • Family Therapy: Starting at $200 per session

    If you have questions about rates or would like help deciding whether to use insurance or private pay, I’m happy to discuss your options so you can choose what feels best for you.

  • Under the law, healthcare providers are required to give clients who are not using insurance or who choose not to use insurance an estimate of the expected charges for services.

    If you are paying for therapy out of pocket (self-pay), you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate outlining the anticipated cost of services before your first session. This estimate will include the cost per session and any other expected fees so you can make informed decisions about your care.

    You may request a Good Faith Estimate at any time before or during treatment. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the charges.

    For questions about your estimate or to request one, please feel free to reach out. I’m happy to review costs with you so everything feels clear and transparent from the start.

    For more information about your rights under the No Surprises Act, visit:
    https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises

  • Therapist Availability

    I am available during scheduled sessions only and do not provide on-call or after-hours crisis support. Outside of session times, I may not be able to read or respond to messages promptly.

    If you feel that you cannot wait until your next appointment to feel safe, please contact emergency or crisis resources for immediate support.

    Email & Messaging

    Email and secure messaging are for logistical or administrative purposes only, such as:

    • Scheduling or rescheduling appointments

    • Questions about availability

    • Sharing brief updates or documents

    These methods are not appropriate for processing clinical concerns, urgent emotional issues, or crisis communication. Messages are not monitored continuously, so please do not use email for anything requiring immediate attention.

    Response Times

    I typically respond to administrative messages within 48–72 hours (2–3 business days) on Thursday and Friday. Messages are not checked after 6pm, on weekends, or holidays.

    If you do not receive a response within that timeframe, it simply means I am unavailable—not that you are being ignored. For urgent concerns, please contact crisis resources or emergency services.

  • While I provide therapeutic support, I am not able to respond to urgent or life-threatening situations or offer real-time crisis intervention. If you or someone you know is experiencing an immediate safety concern—such as thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, a mental health crisis, or a medical emergency—please seek immediate support rather than using this website or email.

    If you feel comfortable, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If calling 911 does not feel like the safest option, there are trained crisis professionals and alternatives listed below who can provide immediate support.

    Your safety is the highest priority. Once you are safe and stable, our work together can continue in a supportive and consistent way.


    Mental Health Crisis Resources California (24/7)

    California Peer-Run Warm Line
    Call or text: 855-845-7415
    Non-crisis emotional support for anyone needing someone to talk to.

    San Diego Access & Crisis Line (ACL)
    Call: 888-724-7240

    • 24/7 crisis support

    • Mobile crisis response

    • Mental health & substance use referrals

    • Local resources

    https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/bhs/ACL.html

    California Youth Crisis Line (ages 12–24)
    Call: 800-843-5200
    Text: TEEN to 839863
    24/7 support for youth and young adults.

    988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (California + U.S.)
    Call or text: 988
    Chat: 988lifeline.org
    24/7 free and confidential support for:

    • suicidal thoughts

    • emotional distress

    • substance use crises

    Nationwide Crisis Resources (U.S.)

    Crisis Text Line
    Text HOME or NAMI to 741-741
    24/7 text support with a trained crisis counselor.

    Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth & young adults)
    Call: 866-488-7386
    Text: START to 678678
    24/7 crisis support.

    BlackLine (BIPOC support line)
    Call or text: 800-604-5841
    Peer support prioritizing BIPOC communities.

    National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
    Call or text: 1-833-TLC-MAMA
    Support for pregnant & postpartum individuals.

    SAMHSA National Helpline
    Call: 800-662-HELP (4357)
    Mental health & substance use referrals.

    Emergency Situations

    If you are in immediate danger:
    Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

    If you need immediate emotional support but not emergency services, call or text 988.

    Your safety is the top priority. Crisis services are best equipped to provide immediate support when needed. Once you are safe and stable, we can continue our work together in a supportive and consistent way.

  • Grounding & Calming Tools

    5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Exercise (video)
    Helps reduce anxiety and bring you back to the present moment
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30VMIEmA114

    Box Breathing (5min guided)
    Simple breathing to regulate your nervous system
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEmt1Znux58

    Progressive Muscle Relaxation (15 min)
    Releases tension in the body
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihO02wUzgkc

    Guided Safe Place Visualization
    Helpful during emotional overwhelm
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vx8iUvfyCY

    Free Apps for Immediate Coping

    Calm Harm (self-harm coping support)
    https://calmharm.co.uk

    Insight Timer (free meditations)
    https://insighttimer.com

    Frangnant Heart(Free Audio meditations)

    https://www.fragrantheart.com

    UCLA Mindful App
    https://www.uclahealth.org/marc/mindful-app

    What’s Up? (CBT + grounding tools)
    https://www.whatsup.org.uk