Therapy For People Who Look Fine ... But Aren't

Get the tools and support you need to stop pretending and start living. Virtual therapy throughout California.

Do any of these sound familiar?

Every conversation you have, no matter how good it seems in the moment, results in a week-long replay in your head.
You've gotten so good at adapting, adjusting, and shapeshifting that you're no longer sure who you really are.
You look fine to everyone else, but inside it feels like an increasingly volatile mix of hurt, frustration, and resentment.
There's a sense of exhaustion that a good night's sleep just doesn't fix.

If so, you're exactly the kind of person I work with, and I've been there myself.

Hi, I'm Steve

I'm a licensed psychotherapist in Sacramento, California, and I've spent the last 20+ years helping people build happier lives that are both more fulfilling and authentic.

So, when I say that I know change, healing, and recovery are possible, it's not just a cliché sound bite - it's something I've seen happen many times.

How therapy helps

Therapy is both an art and a science. As a therapist, my goal is simple: to be a supportive guide, helping you learn the tools & skills you need to navigate your growth journey. What does that look like in practice? Well, it's different for each client, but there are some common changes my clients experience from our work:

Clarity about who they are and what truly matters so they know where to focus their attention and energy.
Courage so they're empowered to act in alignment with their values, even in the face of judgement or conflict.
Resilience so that they can keep going in the face of the inevitable challenges life throws at all of us.
Confidence that they can face life's messiness and uncertainty and come out ok on the other side.

The logistical bits

I see clients via (phone or video) throughout California, generally on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Asynchronous support via secure messaging is available as well. While I'm not contracted with any insurance panels, I can provide a superbill for out of network reimbursement. HSA funds can also generally be used.

"You gave me the gift of insight to see patterns in myself that had been causing me to hold myself hostage and stay stuck. By working with you I have been able to move my life forward, stop fearing failure and judgement, identify and move away from negative relationships, and feel like myself again for the first time in a long time."

-GB

'What if this is just how I am?'

If you're like a lot of my clients, you might worry that you can't change. Maybe you've made attempts in the past without success.

Well, just because you haven't succeeded yet doesn't mean you can't.Something you should know about me: I'm persistent, optimistic, and carry a deep belief in the ability of people to change and grow, informed by my experiences with other clients.

I'll believe in you until you're ready to believe in yourself.

"I can’t think of one time in the last two years that I didn’t walk away from a session with Steve without some gem of an insight. Old limiting patterns that have plagued me my entire life have finally begun to dissolve. At first, I wondered if the cost would be worth it. Looking back, I find it hard to overstate the value of those sessions."

-DT

FAQ

What kinds of problems do you help people with?

My goal is to use therapy to help you find a healthier balance between your wants and the wants of others throughout your life, whether it's your partner, friends, family, or co-workers. Another way to put it: therapy can help you go from 'lose-win' to 'win-win'.

How much does it cost?

My fee is $225 per 50-minute therapy session. I also have concierge therapy options for people looking to do more intensive work.

How long do you usually work with clients?

It depends (I hate the vagueness of that answer, but it's the honest one.) Therapy can range from a few sessions while you tackle a specific challenge to longer-term work if you're trying to transform life-long patterns, or simply value the ongoing support of having a trusted advisor help you navigate through life.

What about privacy & confidentiality?

Under California law, everything discussed in therapy sessions (including the fact that we're having them) is confidential unless there are safety concerns or you give me permission to share information about our sessions with someone else.

A little more about me

Since 2002, in my work as a counselor, psychotherapist (CA licensed MFT #43212), and coach, I’ve had the privilege of helping hundreds of people. The work my clients do both inspires me and challenges me to continue my own growth journey (I'm an ongoing work in progress, like all of us.)

Outside of work, you can probably find me reading, playing games with my family, helping the dogs at our local animal shelters, making music, or eating pizza & drinking something fizzy.

"I am a far more confident person that has learned to accept myself more than I had ever hoped to do so when we started working together."

-DR

What's next?

If what you've read here resonates with you, I'd be happy to connect and explore whether I can be of help. I know it can be challenging to find a therapist who's a good fit, and it's hard to figure that out just from a website. So, you can schedule a consultation or send me an email with any questions you have – whichever feels more comfortable for you - and that'll help you get a better sense of whether it would be a fit for us to work together.

Questions? Email me

Schedule your free consultation

Whatever path your journey takes, I hope it's one that connects you to yourself and a life that feels more confident, empowered, and true to you. Keep moving forward.