Q: Why should I choose therapy?
A: Because decades upon decades of research says it works! Outside of the overwhelming research supporting the findings that weekly individual therapy decrease mental health symptoms and increases overall emotional well-being, I find that human beings have difficulty following their own advice and feedback. We are great at problem-solving for others, but we all struggle with turning these solutions inward. Therapy provides an objective third-party voice that can serve as guidance when trying to answer life’s difficult questions.
Q: What is your theoretical orientation?
A: If I had to boil it down to a label, I would say consider theoretical orientation includes both the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Humanistic camps. I am attracted to CBT due to the substantial evidence base and my efficacy in utilizing CBT, as well as the desire for my clients and myself to find measurable outcomes with regards to the client’s progress in therapy. While measurable outcomes are important, I also find myself dipping into humanistic techniques in session, chiefly through asking variations of the question, “What does this all mean?” As I am a big proponent of psychologist/philosopher Viktor Frankl’s idea that a primary motivation is to find meaning in one’s life, I find myself asking these deeper questions while in session.
Q: What ages do you work with?
While I have experience seeing individuals in therapy from ages 12-99, I have found that many of my patients fall within the age bracket of 12-30. Due to the countless, complicated transitions and issues that traditionally arise during this time period, I find that the genesis of many mental health issues can be traced back to these stages of development.
Q: Do you do anything besides individual therapy?
A: I do! I currently do family, couples, and group therapy in addition to individual therapy.
Q: Do you only work with athletes or those with an athletic background?
A: While I am one of the only psychologists in Southern California with proficiency in working with professional athletes, as well as experience in coaching and playing sports at a high competitive level, I by no means only see athletes. The overwhelming majority of my clinical caseload are non-athletes suffering from a variety of mental health issues.
Q: Do you take insurance?
A: Currently I do not, however I am willing to work with individuals who have out of network plans