Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need to be in crisis to start therapy?
No. Many of my clients aren’t in crisis-they’re just tired of feeling like they’re floating without direction. Therapy is a space to understand what’s beneath the surface and begin anchoring back into a life that feels meaningful.
Why do I feel empty even when life seems good?
Sometimes we build a life based on expectations, survival, or approval-only to discover we’ve drifted away from what matters most. Therapy offers a way to reconnect with your emotional truth and regain direction.
What kinds of professionals do you typically work with?
I specialize in working with adults in high-stress, high-risk, high-responsibility careers-such as first responders, healthcare workers, law enforcement, military personnel, corrections staff, emergency services, and air traffic controllers. I also work with other high-performing professionals who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or emotionally disconnected.
What is your therapy style like?
My approach is warm, grounded, and collaborative. I draw from psychodynamic, attachment-based, and trauma-informed modalities. This means we explore not only what’s happening in your life right now, but also the deeper emotional roots and patterns behind it-all at your pace
How do I know if this type of therapy is right for me?
If you’re curious about why you feel unfulfilled or emotionally disconnected-even when life “should” feel fine-this work may be a good fit. You don’t need to have a clear problem or diagnosis to benefit from therapy that helps you understand yourself on a deeper level.
I don’t know what I need, I’m not sure what’s wrong. Can I still start therapy?
Absolutely. A vague sense that something isn’t right or “something’s off,” is reason enough to reach out, and it’s often the first sign that you’re ready to explore your deeper self, develop deeper self-awareness, and are ready for something to change. You don’t need to have the “right” words-just a willingness to be curious.
What does “trauma-informed” therapy mean?
Trauma-informed therapy prioritizes emotional safety, choice, and trust. It recognizes the ways trauma can affect thoughts, behaviors, and relationships-and avoids practices that could re-traumatize or overwhelm. I meet you where you are, without judgment or pressure.
How is psychodynamic therapy helpful for wildfire trauma?
Psychodynamic therapy explores how past and present experiences shape your emotional life. For wildfire trauma, this can help you understand how the event affected your sense of self, safety, and connection to others- offering deeper, longer-lasting healing.
I was impacted by recent Wildfires. What if I have trouble talking about what happened?
That’s completely okay. You don’t have to have the right words or tell your whole story right away. We’ll go at your pace, using curiosity and care to gently uncover what feels important, without forcing anything.
Do I need to have lost my home to seek therapy for wildfire trauma?
No. Trauma from wildfire isn’t limited to material loss. Een if your home was spared, the fear, disruption, and uncertainty you experienced are valid reasons to seek support. Emotional and psychological impacts can run deep and deserve attention.
What I'm dealing with isn't specifically listed as something you do on your website. Does that mean you can’t help me?
Absolutely not. I have almost two decades of experience treating individuals with all types of mental health concerns of all levels of seriousness. My website focuses on my Specialties that less therapists specialize in, however I am trained and experienced in treating most of the more commonly experienced mental health issues, including but not limited to: Sadness/Depression, Anxiety & Anxiety-based Disorders; Mood Dysregulation/Mood Disorders, Adjustment Difficulties/ Adjustment Disorders, Grief & Loss, Low Self-Esteem/Body Image Issues/Eating Disorders, Interpersonal/ Relationship Issues, Trauma/PTSD/Acute Trauma Disorder, Work Difficulties: Stress Management/ Time Management/ undiagnosed ADHD.
Is online therapy or in-person therapy better for me?
I usually recommend in-person therapy, because so much can be learned from sitting in a safe space with a therapist, removed from your outside life and distractions, in an environment set aside for only one purpose-therapy and healing. But online therapy is very beneficial as well, and can be a great option for you if: • Distance from my office is too far: You live farther than a convenient weekly commute, your job requires frequent travel or temporary extended relocations to other areas of California, you are looking for a therapist with my Specialties and have been unable to find one in your area taking new clients. • You are more comfortable with online therapy: You may prefer therapy from the comfort of your own home; You may feel like the idea of talking about difficult situations/feelings online seems somehow safer, or less risky, than doing it in-person • You are a current client who temporarily can’t attend in-person
Is therapy confidential?
Yes. Your privacy is essential, and everything we discuss is kept confidential, with very few exceptions (e.g. safety concerns, which I’ll explain in your intake section).
How often do we meet?
Most clients meet with me weekly, especially in the beginning. We can adjust frequency over time based on your needs and goals. Some clients choose to meet more frequently during emotionally intense periods or to deepen the work.
How fast will therapy help me?
Although I may have expertise in the field of psychology and providing many types of therapy, I want to be really clear...I am NOT an expert on YOU. You are, and always will be, the expert on "you." Which is why good therapy that results in long-term benefits and change is not a fast process...in the beginning, we have to take the time for you to teach me all about you, and a lot of times that's hard to do , since most people aren't used to describing who they are, how they think, and all the things that have happened to them in life. So in the beginning, my main role will be as a student, as you teach me about yourself, help you find the words and the confidence to do that with me, and to hold a mirror up for you to help you see yourself more clearly, so you can better teach me about YOU, which will help me understand you more and be better able to start tailoring your treatment to best fit with your unique self, and situation. There is no set number of sessions that will lead to desired goal outcomes for each person, and my approach does not offer “quick fixes.” We can discuss reasonable expectations for timelines after the first 1-2 sessions, when I have a more thorough understanding of who you are, and how treatment will proceed.