COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT THERAPY
Evidence-Based Therapy
-
Evidence-based therapy means a certain treatment modality has been shown by research to be effective for specific mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression. Learn more about evidence-based therapy here.
-
Cognitive behavioral therapy has been extensively studied and shown to be effective in the treatment of stress, anxiety disorders, depression, ADHD, insomnia, eating disorders, PTSD, alcohol and other substance use disorders, and some physical conditions such as chronic pain and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This is not an exhaustive list but rather has the strongest research support for these conditions.
-
Cognitive behavioral therapy is based on the theory that our thoughts (or cognitions), behaviors, and emotions are all connected and therefore influence each other though a bidirectional relationship. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help us identify and modify negative or unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, which in turn can help us feel better.
-
Talk therapy can be thought of as an umbrella term for a variety of different therapeutic modalities including CBT and others. In other words, CBT is a form of talk therapy.
-
Behavioral therapy focuses on behavioral modification through approaches such as exposure therapy, skill building and application, and behavioral experiments. Talk therapy can incorporate elements of behavioral therapy but tends to focus more on the theory and education surrounding it rather than the practical application of it.
Psychedelic Harm Reduction & Integration
-
Harm reduction is the practice of minimizing negative consequences of a behavior and is often a more realistic alternative to complete abstinence of a behavior.
-
Psychedelic integration involves understanding and making meaning of a psychedelic experience, and then assimilating these insights into daily life.
-
No, I do not provide psychedelic-assisted therapy, nor do I provide, condone, or assist in the obtaining or use of psychedelic substances. If you have chosen to use psychedelic substances on your own, I can provide harm reduction and integration, i.e. therapeutic, nonjudgmental support surrounding your experiences.
Therapeutic Ketamine Preparation & Integration
-
Ketamine is an anesthetic that has been used for several years in medical settings, and more recently, has been used “off label” for certain mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and chronic pain.
-
Yes, ketamine can be legally used by licensed medical providers such as physicians and nurse practitioners. While ketamine is only approved by the FDA for use as an anesthetic, it can still be legally used “off label” for other psychiatric and medical conditions, a practice that is quite common in the pharmaceutical industry.
-
Ketamine has been shown to provide symptom relief for a number of psychiatric and medical conditions, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, chronic pain, and autoimmune conditions. Many individuals have responded well to ketamine even when they have not found “traditional” therapies and medications to be helpful, therefore it is often used as an alternative treatment option for these conditions.
-
I am not licensed to prescribe ketamine or any other types of medication. However, I partner with licensed medical professionals who can legally provide ketamine in a clinical setting. After the medicine sessions, I can then meet with you for integration or ongoing support.
-
In order to maximize it’s effectiveness, ketamine is usually administered intravenously via infusions, but it can also be administered intramuscularly, intra-nasally, or sublingually (e.g. orally). The route of administration is determined by you and your care team and depends on your treatment goals and psychological and medical history. Learn more about the different routes of administration here.
-
Ketamine infusions and intramuscular injections should always be administered in a clinical setting under the care of a trained professional, e.g. a medical doctor or nurse practitioner. This is because they can have much stronger dissociative effects and thereby can result in adverse consequences if not monitored properly. Oral and intranasal doses can be prescribed for home use as they usually contain lower and more specific doses that gives the patient more control over their experience. However, in order to ensure safe and appropriate home use it is crucial to follow the procedures outlined by the prescribing physician and have a responsible “sitter” or someone looking after you in case you experience a negative reactions.
Walk & Talk Therapy
-
Walk & talk therapy is the practice of conducting therapy while the therapist and client are walking. While it often incorporates movement, walk & talk therapy can also take place while sitting somewhere outside, such as on a park bench. Aside from the setting it follows the same structure as regular therapy.
-
Some of the benefits of walk & talk therapy include improvements in mood, anxiety, stress, sleep, energy, emotion regulation, and physical health. It can also help quiet negative or unhelpful thoughts, enhance neuroplasticity and cognitive processing, and increase bodily awareness and attunement.
-
You should wear clothing that is comfortable and appropriate for weather and walking/movement. Examples may be sneakers, yoga pants, a jacket, a hat, and sunglasses. It is perfectly find to dress casually for walk & talk therapy and you can expect your therapist to be doing the same!
-
Depending on where your walk & talk therapy session is conducted, there is a possibility that you will encounter someone you know during the session. You and your therapist should prepare for this beforehand by discussing how you would like to handle such situations, for example whether or not you plan to acknowledge the person, whether you want to introduce your therapist, how you want your therapist to respond, etc.
Boutique Therapy
-
Boutique therapy is a model of care that prioritizes quality, engagement, and flexibility in each session and that is customized to the patient’s unique needs. Learn more about boutique therapy here.
-
There is not a specific issue or therapy goal that boutique therapy is best suited for. However if you value “going deep” in your conversations, being seen and understood more holistically as opposed to just through the lens of symptoms or diagnoses, and receiving care that is personalized to your unique circumstances and concerns, boutique therapy would be a good fit for you.
General Questions
-
Integrative care is an approach that combines various therapeutic modalities rather than adhering strictly to one.
-
I only work with individual adults. I do not see couples or children.
-
Sessions can be conducted in my office, outside or while walking (“walk & talk” therapy), or via telehealth (over video or phone).
-
My office is in the Cow Hollow neighborhood of San Francisco.
-
I am currently only licensed to work with people who reside in California.
-
While I am not in network with any insurance plans, I provide superbills (monthly statements) that you can submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement. My clients get anywhere from 40%-95% of their sessions reimbursed, which is quite a range so it’s best for you to check with your insurance provider for their specific rates.
-
I use a HIPAA-compliant, online payment platform called Ivy Pay, which only accepts credit card, debit card, and HSA/FSA cards. If these payment methods are not convenient or feasible for you please let me know and we can find an alternate form of payment that suits your needs.
-
Licensed psychologists must undergo rigorous training that includes graduate-level academic work, supervised experience, and licensing exams. A PsyD or PhD degree is conferred upon completion of relevant training from an accredited institution which permits the title of “Doctor.” A psychologist can be a therapist, but a therapist cannot call themself a psychologist unless they have the requisite training.