Frequently Asked Questions | San Francisco Psychotherapy and Counseling

1.) What does ‘integrative psychotherapy’ mean?
2.) How do you choose a therapist?
3.) What are your fees?
4.) Do you take insurance?
5.) Are appointments confidential?
6.) How long does therapy or counseling take?
7.) Do you provide home visits?
8.) What does ‘mindfulness’ mean?
9.) What are the benefits of mindfulness practices?
10.) What is cognitive-behavioral therapy?
11.) Do you offer group therapy?

1.) What does ‘integrative psychotherapy’ mean?

In my work, “integrative psychotherapy” has two primary meanings. It refers to utilizing different methods and techniques to meet the client’s goals, rather than focusing exclusively on one theory or school of thought. With that said, I do emphasize cognitive-behavioral techniques and mindfulness practices in my work with clients, as these have proven to be very helpful in promoting change.

The second meaning relates to the integration of mind, body, spiritual and sociocultural factors. As individuals, we all have different personalities, physiologies and life experiences that contribute to who we are. It is important to look at and unify these realms, in order to live more fully and in the present.

2.) How do you choose a therapist?

Research indicates that the quality of the relationship between therapist and client is one of the most important factors contributing to the effectiveness of therapy. Therefore, when choosing a therapist, it is important that you feel comfortable with their style and approach. You can learn about therapists by speaking to referral sources (friends, doctors, etc.), reviewing their websites and asking questions about their approach and background.

I offer prospective clients a free, 15 minute, phone consultation to learn more about their situation, answer questions and help determine if I'm a good match for their needs.

3.) What are your fees?

45-50 minute session: $175

25-30 minute session: $90

A sliding scale is available for those with limited resources on a case-by-case basis. I also offer prospective clients a free, 15 minute, phone consultation to help determine if I can be of assistance.

4.) Do you take insurance?

I accept most out-of-network insurance plans and Medicare. I would be happy to provide what assistance I can to help you receive the benefits provided by your insurance.

5.) Are appointments confidential?

Confidentiality and privacy are fundamental to the counseling and therapy process. All individually identifiable information, whether in electronic or physical form, that is in my possession or is derived from information you share in confidence with me regarding your medical or mental health history, a mental or physical condition, or mental or physical health treatment, is confidential and may not be used or disclosed without your written authorization, except where disclosure is required or permitted by law.

Limits to confidentiality pertain to times when a client poses a danger to self or others; where child, dependent or elder abuse is suspected; or pursuant to a legal proceeding.

Please see this office’s Notice of Privacy Practices for more information.

6.) How long does therapy or counseling take?

This is a difficult question to answer because each person is unique, with different goals and objectives, as well as different life circumstances that impact outcomes. Some clients achieve their initial objectives and decide that they want to continue working on further growth and development. When working with a therapist or counselor, it is important to clarify your goals and to check in with your provider regularly to see if you are moving in that direction.

7.) Do you provide home visits?

I provide home visits to seniors who face significant transportation barriers, at no additional cost and on a case-by-case basis.

8.) What does ‘mindfulness’ mean?

“Mindfulness is an innate human capacity to deliberately pay full attention to where we are, to our actual experience, and to learn from it. Much of our day we spend on automatic pilot. People know the experience of driving somewhere, pulling up to the curb and all of a sudden realizing, ‘Wow, I was hardly aware I was even driving. How did I get here?’ When we pay attention, it is gracious, which means that there is space for our joys and sorrows, our pain and losses, all to be held in a peaceful way.”
-Jack Kornfield, Buddhist Teacher, Author, Psychologist

“Mindfulness is a way of learning to relate directly to whatever is happening in your life, a way of taking charge of your life, a way of doing something for yourself that only you can do for you – consciously and systematically working with your own stress, illness, and challenges and demands of everyday life.”
- Jon Kabat-Zinn, Professor, Author, Founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment, without judgment and with a sense of acceptance for what it is. This “ability” can be cultivated through practicing mindfulness meditation as well as by paying attention to the present moment in everyday experiences. For example, when you are washing the dishes – just wash the dishes. Pay attention to what the water feels like, the smell of the dish soap, the texture of the sponge, notice the excess food as it washes off the plate into the sink, etc. As the mind wanders off to (seemingly) better things, such as thinking about “what’s on TV tonight” or “I can’t stand doing the dishes” or “I really didn’t like what we had to eat tonight,” gently bring your attention back to simply “doing the dishes.”

9.) What are the benefits of mindfulness practices?

By cultivating an increased ability to live in the present moment, mindfulness can help people accept and enjoy their current experiences more, rather than clinging to the past or worrying so much about the future. This can often contribute to a greater sense of well-being and inner peace. It also helps people learn how to ‘respond’ to situations rather than simply ‘reacting’ to them, thereby increasing personal and professional effectiveness.

Formal research studies have indicated that mindfulness-related practices can help people deal with stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, eating disorders, low self-esteem and other issues.

10.) What is cognitive-behavioral therapy?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (also known as CBT) emphasizes the role of thinking (cognition) in how we feel (emotions) and what we do (behavior). For example, if one thinks something like “I am worthless,” then this thought may contribute to feelings of shame or sadness. If on the other hand, one thinks “I am a lovable and kind person,” this leads to a different set of emotions, such as feelings of contentment and happiness. CBT helps individuals identify automatic and repetitive thoughts that contribute to emotional distress and negative behavior. After this, the challenge is to examine these thoughts for validity and replace the irrational thoughts with more realistic appraisals of self and others.

The other component of CBT looks at behavioral change. Changing what one thinks often leads to changes in behavior. Alternatively, changing behavior can also lead to greater well-being. For example, with depression, it’s common to experience a lack of motivation and decreased activity level. The internal thoughts/feelings (i.e., self-talk) associated with depression may tell one to stay home, sleep more, not participate in many activities, etc. This is a downward spiral where more inactivity then leads to greater depression. On the other hand, by choosing to increase activity level, regardless of how one feels, one will increase their exposure to potentially pleasurable experiences. More pleasurable experiences can help improve mood.

Cognitive-behavioral strategies work well with mindfulness techniques because both philosophies emphasize how internal shifts in perspective can contribute to more positive mood and behavioral changes. Accordingly, individuals have greater access to their inherent internal power in any situation, which is a contradiction to a more helpless, externally-focused mentality. This isn’t to say that there aren’t difficult, external forces out there; of course, there are many. However, by shifting perspective and thinking more rationally, people not only feel better, but also are more empowered to act in useful ways to effect change in their lives and others.

11.) Do you offer group therapy?

Currently, I do not provide any groups. I provide only individual and family psychotherapy and counseling services in San Francisco. Group therapy can be helpful for many issues. PsychologyToday.com and FindGroupTherapy.com are two resources for locating groups in the SF Bay Area.