Questions
Answers to many of the questions I’m often asked by clients can be found below.
Who do you work with?
I work with individuals and couples, adolescents and older. Visit my ‘Individual Counseling’ page for more information about some of the problems I help people with. I’m always happy to provide referrals when I’m not a good fit for what someone is seeking help with.
What forms of payment do you accept?
I accept cash, check, and credit/debit cards (Visa & MasterCard).
Do you take insurance?
I do not take or bill insurance directly, though my services may be covered - it depends on the specifics of your plan. If your insurance company reimburses for services from ‘out of network’ providers, I’m happy to provide you with a monthly statement that you can submit to them for reimbursement. Using your insurance to pay for therapy has benefits and risks, which I’d be happy to discuss with you further if you wish.
Do you provide free consultations?
If desired, I do offer potential clients a no-risk initial session. If, after that session, you decide that you don’t wish to continue seeing me, there is no charge for the initial session.
Are you a doctor, and do you prescribe medication?
I am not a doctor (please call me “Steve”), so I am not able to prescribe medication.
What’s an MFT?
A Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT) is a psychotherapist licensed by the California State Board of Behavioral Sciences. Obtaining an MFT license in California requires completion of a Master’s degree, 3,000 hours of supervised experience, and passing two rigorous exams. Don’t let the name “Marriage & Family Therapist” fool you - MFTs work with individuals, too! MFTs work primarily in the area of relationships. We are trained to help individuals, couples, and families to have better family and social relationships.
How do I know if I need therapy?
I don’t feel I can say if you ‘need’ therapy, but I’ll say this: if you have problems or concerns in your life that have an impact on your relationships, and you’d like some help with resolving them, it’s likely that you could benefit from therapy. If you’re not sure whether or not therapy is appropriate for you, I’d be happy to talk to you more about your current concerns and whether therapy could help.
How often do you see clients?
Usually, clients have one session per week, which allows time to integrate material from our sessions, but this can vary - I work with my clients to determine the appropriate session frequency and length for their particular needs.
How will we know if therapy is working for me?
I use a feedback system with my clients that helps me track whether our work is effective or not.
