Services

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Well-researched and often effective CBT therapy involves becoming more aware of automatic (and often out-of-awareness) thoughts that lead to difficult emotions and behaviors. Using a collaborative approach, I assist you to develop skills to identify harsh, repetitive and inaccurate thoughts and then encourage the development of new thoughts that are less limiting and more empowering. In addition, we can look at behaviors that contribute to your difficulties, trouble-shoot ways to change these behaviors and collaboratively set goals.

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)

Originally discovered and used in the treatment of PTSD and Acute Stress Disorder this modality has received considerable research in the treatment of recent and past traumas. The American Psychiatric Association and the Department of Veteran Affairs recommend EMDR as an approved first line treatment for trauma. EMDR is based on the foundation that unprocessed memories formed during traumatic events are the primary basis of human psychopathology. Unprocessed memories come from disruptions in the information processing system that occur during traumatic experiences. In other words traumatic memories are stored differently in the brain. Reprocessing these memories allows you to incorporate new skills, behaviors and beliefs about yourself increasing self-esteem and expanding positive personal resources and behaviors.

Depth Psychotherapy

This approach to psychotherapy engages what lies below the surface of things, what lies at the depth of our experience in order to see into what motivates our actions and behaviors. Out of depth psychotherapy comes the understanding that as human beings we are more than our behavior or thoughts, we are also the subjective qualities of the psyche known as the spirit, soul, mind and heart. Depth psychotherapy maintains that to treat psychological issues requires exploring the element of the psyche as well as our behavior and thoughts. Exploring the material of the deep psyche involves activating the imagination through mythological, cultural and literary images along with consideration of the social and political aspects that make up our world.

Imaginal Psychotherapy

Imaginal Psychology is a distinct orientation to the discipline of psychology that places an emphasis on the human capacity to express experience through imagery; something we call imagination. As human beings each of us understands and communicates our experience through images. We tell each other about our day through stories that reveal the images of our experience. We remember in images. We contemplate the future in images and our moment to moment lives are documented in our own minds through the images we form to record and give meaning to our experience. We humans are imaginative beings steeped in the imagery of our experience and emotions.

Our human capacity for imagination informs Imaginal Psychology which holds that transformation and healing occur through tending the images that have meaning to us. By paying close attention to the imagery that lives within us we can nourish the unseen but sacred part of ourselves. Then transformation toward a more satisfying, responsive and authentic participation in the world becomes possible.

This orientation to psychology draws on human processes that are both ancient and new and processes that particularly acknowledge and engage the transformative nature of our human imagination including spiritual traditions, somatic practices, creative arts, mythology, indigenous wisdom, literary and poetic imagination, deep ecology, mystical philosophy, cultural history, and social critique.

TREATMENT:

• Treatment for Depression:

Major Depressive Disorder
Dysthymic Disorder

• Treatment for Manic Episodes with or without Depressive Episodes:

Bi-Polar I Disorder
Bi-Polar II Disorder

• Treatment for Anxiety:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Agoraphobia
Panic Disorder
Social Phobia
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Acute Stress Disorder

• Treatment for Disorders of Infancy, Childhood, or Adolescence:

Attention – Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Learning Disorders
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Sibling Relational Problems
Parent-Child Relational Problems

• Treatment for Personality Disorders

• Phase of Life Problems-Life Transitions

• Bereavement-Grief

• Partner Relational Problems- Couples Issues

• Occupational Problems-Work and Career issues

• Religious or Spiritual Problems

• Stress Management

PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS, ASSESSMENT and TESTING:

I offer a full set of services including evaluations and assessment accompanied with appropriate testing for establishing scope of diagnosis and treatment planning. I work with a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues. Whenever possible and appropriate I make every effort to use a variety of evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy along with Depth Psychotherapy and Imaginal Psychotherapy approaches to treatment. When trauma is the focus of treatment or treating trauma is necessary before using other approaches I follow the EMDR protocol. See the “Types of Psychotherapy” tab for a description of these modalities.

The law protects the relationship between a client and a psychotherapist. In general your therapy information cannot be disclosed without written permission from you.

Exceptions include:

• Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse. I am required by law to report these cases to the appropriate authorities immediately.

• If a patient is threatening serious bodily harm to another identifiable person/s, I must notify the police and inform the intended victim.

• If a patient intends to harm himself or herself, I will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in ensuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, I will take further measures without their permission that are provided to me by law in order to ensure their safety.

• HIPAA: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act allows your protected health information to be shared among your health care providers.

These laws are consistent with general national ethical principles and reflect specific case law in California.

Rates
$130 per 50 minute session, the approximate rate of psychologists in the northern California area.

Cancellation Policy
If you do not arrive for your scheduled therapy appointment, and you have not notified me at least 24 hours in advance, you will be required to pay the full cost of the session.

Payment
I accept checks or cash for payment. At this time I do not accept credit cards.

Insurance
Services may be covered in part by your health insurance plan. Please check your coverage through your insurance company carefully by asking the following important questions:
• Do I have mental health insurance benefits for psychotherapy?
• What is the coverage amount per therapy session for an “out of network” provider?
• How many sessions per year does my insurance cover?
• What is my yearly deductible and has it been met?

Health Insurance Company Panels
I am not on health insurance panels as an in-network/preferred provider.

I can provide you with a special insurance company receipt that you can submit to your insurance company. In many cases, particularly if you have PPO insurance, your insurance company will provide you some amount of reimbursement for an “out of network provider.” Please check with your insurance company to determine your benefits.

Medicare with Medicare Supplement Plan
I am currently accepting Medicare with a supplement.