Do you have any openings now? Do you see people in the evenings?

I have a part-time practice, which allows me to teach ,write, and focus on the clients I have, so my openings can be limited at times. I do have very , very few after-5 hours; those are in highest demand. Please feel free to call my office, 831/429-7910 to see about openings. I begin new dream groups periodically, in which 4 participants share and learn about their dreams.

How long have you been in practice?

I began my first internship in 1990 and was licensed in 1997.

What are your credentials?

PhD and MA in Psychology, University of California at Berkeley. Califiornia psychologist license, 1997, PSY #15379. Trained in psychological assessment and evaluation at the Institute of Personality Assessment and Research, Berkeley. I've taught many classes at the University of California, Santa Cruz each year since 1989 and have several research publications; conference presentations; newspaper, magazine, radio and television interviews; Dream Decoders Discovery Health miniseries, and books. I also consult widely on dreams for various websites.

Do you see people with my problem?

I specialize in working with those with relationship issues, depression/loss, anxiety, survivors of childhood abuse, creative people, and those going through life transitions. (Several of these groups tend to overlap!)

I once saw a psychotherapist who tried to become friends with me or start a romantic relationship with me. Is that appropriate? What should I do?

Psychotherapy is a special, one-way relationship which is designed to enable clients to heal. It is not designed for the gratification of the therapist's interpersonal or relational needs. Personal relationships between therapists and clients are strictly addressed in all psychotherapists' professional ethics codes. Sexual relationships between clients and therapists are also against the law. Because of the one-way nature of the therapeutic relationship, personal relationships outside of therapy necessarily involve an imbalance of power (the therapist knows lots about the client, but the client knows little about the therapist) and therefore can harm the client. If you or someone you know has been in an unethical relationship with a prior psychotherapist, please click here for information. To report an unethical psychotherapist, please contact: Board of Medical Examiners (psychiatrists), Board of Psychology (psychologists), Board of Behavioral Science Examiners (MFTs and LCSWs).

Do you take insurance?

I am happy to provide you with a monthy statement that you may send to your insurance company for reimbursement. As a rule, I don't contract with HMOs because of the breach of confidentiality involved in obtaining payment for services to you. Clients with Blue Cross and other insurance plans are typically reimbursed for my services. Please check with your provider to find out if they will allow you to select your own psychologist. In California, the mental health parity law ensures that clients with several diagnoses must receive the same coverage for mental health treatment as they would for physical health treatment.

How much do you charge?

My regular fee is $135.00 per session (based on the national average). I have a limited sliding scale based on income. I accept checks and cash for payment.

How long will psychotherapy last and how frequent will sessions be?

During our first or second session, I will let you know how long psychotherapy tends to last for people experiencing your particular difficulty. It is very difficult to develop a therapeutic relationship and achieve lasting change in less than six months. Most people attend psychotherapy once per week. Twice per week may be necessary for a short time during crisis periods. For phobias, short-term issues, uncomplicated depression, and so on, therapy typically lasts between 3 and 6 months.

What happens when I come in for the first time?

You will arrive in my waiting room about ten minutes before your session, where you will fill out a short biographical form and read my consent form. I will come out of my office to greet you (you will be leaving out a different door to preserve your privacy). After we enter my office, I'll review your form and ask you what brought you to see me. During the first sessions, we'll discuss confidentiality and any questions you may have, and I will be taking a history of your problem to learn more about it and you. I'll be determining whether or not my training and experience match your needs, and whether or not I feel I can help you. You will also be deciding whether or not you feel you want to work with me. If not, I will refer you to another psychotherapist. Within the first few sessions, I will let you know how long your therapy is likely to last, how it will progress, its risks and benefits, and what we will be doing during the sessions.

Will my friends and family find out I'm coming to see you?

Not unless you tell them! There are very few exceptions to psychotherapy confidentiality rules (see my consent form for more information). Maintaining your privacy is extremely important--so much so that if I meet you by chance on the street, I will behave as if I have not seen you, unless you speak to me first. All of your records are likewise kept confidential according to HIPAA rules.

Does coming to psychotherapy mean I'm crazy?

No! What people mean by 'crazy' is 'psychotic,' 'delusional,' or out of touch with reality. Very few people with those diagnoses function well enough to seek out or be able to participate in psychotherapy. In fact, studies show that people who seek out psychotherapy are actually MORE psychological healthy than the general population! This may be because it takes great strength to make the decision to heal and to get help. Psychotherapy is becoming more and more popular. Many people have sought psychotherapy at one time or another: athletes, business people, artists, academics, and admired public figures have obtained and benefited from psychotherapy, so you are definitely not alone! In addition, most psychologists have gone through their own psychotherapy in the course of their training.