Frequently Asked Questions

My fee is $250 for a 50-minute session. I also reserve a limited number of sliding-scale spots for people for whom the full fee isn’t financially feasible. Feel free to ask about availability during the consultation.

I’m an out-of-network provider, so I don’t bill insurance directly. Some PPO plans reimburse part of the fee for out-of-network therapy, depending on your benefits and deductible. I can give you a monthly superbill to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Most HMO plans don’t cover out-of-network providers.

Before we start, it’s worth calling your insurance company and asking:

• Does my plan include out-of-network outpatient mental health coverage?
• What percentage of the fee do you reimburse for therapy with a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist?
• What is the allowed amount for an out-of-network psychotherapy session?
• Do I have a deductible, and has it been met?
• Is there a limit on how many sessions are covered per year?
• Is telehealth covered for out-of-network providers?
• How do I submit claims?

It’s a 20-minute call to talk about what’s bringing you to therapy, ask me anything you’d like to know and get a sense of whether working together feels like a good fit. There’s no obligation either way. If it seems like a fit, we’ll find a time for a first session. If not, I’m happy to suggest other options.

The first session is mostly about getting to know each other. I’ll want to hear what’s bringing you in, what you’re hoping for and as much of your story as you want to share for now. You don’t need to prepare anything or know where to start. It’s also a chance for you to see how it feels to be in the room with me and to ask any questions about how I work.

Sessions are 50 minutes and I generally recommend meeting weekly. So much of the work happens in the relationship between us and a regular rhythm helps it build: what comes up one week is still close enough to pick up the next. If weekly isn’t possible for you or there’s a reason to change the rhythm later on, we can talk about it together.

It’s different for everyone. Some people come for a few months to work through something specific, while others stay longer because they want to go deeper. Either way, change often begins earlier than people expect, usually in small ways, like a conversation that goes differently, catching a pattern while it’s happening or a bit more ease in your body. Part of our work is noticing those moments together because they’re easy to overlook. We’ll also check in regularly about how things are going and what you still want from our work.

Under the No Surprises Act, clients who don’t have insurance or aren’t using insurance to pay for therapy have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges.

I’ll provide this estimate before we begin and you can also request one before scheduling. If you receive a bill that’s at least $400 more than the estimate, you may be eligible to dispute it through the federal patient-provider dispute resolution process.

You can learn more about your rights at www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

Yes. I see clients online anywhere in California, through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform that’s easy to use from a computer, tablet or phone. Many people find online sessions just as meaningful as meeting in person and they can make therapy easier to fit into a busy life. Some clients combine the two, meeting in person some weeks and online others.

My office is at:

13101 Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066

The office is in the Marina del Rey and Mar Vista area, close to Venice and Culver City.

Yes. I grew up in Germany and I’m happy to work in German, English, or a mix of both, in person or online. Many people find that some things are easier to say, or to feel, in their first language.

Yes, I really value working with teens. You can read more about how I work with teenagers and how parents are involved on my Therapy for Teens page.

I understand life can be unpredictable. Please text or email me at least 24 hours before your appointment to cancel or reschedule. A credit card is kept on file and will be charged the full fee for late cancellations and missed appointments.

My practice isn’t set up to provide emergency or crisis care and I’m not always able to respond right away between sessions. If you’re experiencing emotional distress or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you’re in immediate danger or need emergency medical assistance, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.