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

My practice is part-time, which allows me to teach, do research, write, and focus on the clients I have, so openings can be limited at times! Please feel free to call my office, 831/429-7910, or email me at drtonay@veronicatonay.com about openings.

How long have you been in practice?

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

What are your credentials?

BA, Honors in Psychology, University of California at Santa Cruz. MA, PhD in Psychology, University of California at Berkeley. Califiornia psychologist license, 1997, PSY #15379. Psychological assessment and evaluation training at the Institute of Personality Assessment and Research, UC Berkeley. Taught personality psychology at UC Berkeley for two terms, and have been teaching personality and clinical psychology courses at UC Santa Cruz each year since 1989. Several research publications; conference and workshop presentations; newspaper, magazine, radio and television interviews; was featured as an expert on the Dream Decoders Discovery Health television miniseries, and have written books. I also consult widely on psychotherapy and on dreams.

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 am a dream expert, but many clients have never told me a dream. The ethics of my profession require psychotherapists to use demonstrated, effective methods to treat clients. As such, I am an eclectic psychotherapist, employing Jungian, object relations, ego psychology, cognitive, behavioral, and supportive-expressive systems of psychotherapy, using the model that has been demonstrated to be most effective for the difficulty or condition facing each particular client. Fortunately, my training was broad and deep, and in teaching, I continue to learn.

Do you take insurance?

I am happy to provide you with a monthy statement to send to your insurance company for reimbursement. I don't contract with HMOs because of the breach of confidentiality required in obtaining payment for services to you and in obtaining continuing permission to treat you. Clients with Blue Cross and other insurance plans are typically reimbursed for my services from between 60% to 100%. Please check with your provider to you must see one of their "preferred providers" (psychologists or masters-level therapists who contract to work for a lower rate than the national average), if they will allow you to seek care "out of network" at a lower reimbursement rate, or 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. Depending upon your tax situation, you might check with an accountant to see if deducting the full cost of psychotherapy as a medical expense will save you more than your insurance company would cover--this is often the case.

How much do you charge?

My regular fee is based on the national average for psychologists. I have a limited sliding scale, based on income, and accept checks and cash for payment after each session. (Credit cards can be billed, as well, but they are billed through paypal, who charge 3%.)

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 for masters' level therapists (MFTs and LCSWs).

What are the different types of psychotherapists?

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who primarlily specialize in medication these days, not psychotherapy,but if they do psychotherapy, they are "board certified" and trained to provide therapy for any condition. Psychologists are the next most highly trained psychotherapists: becoming a psychologist requires a 4- to 6-year doctoral degree (PhD). We, too, are trained to provide therapy for any condition, and to do psychological testing and evaluation. Therapists who become licensed after obtaining a masters (2-year) degree are called marriage and family therapists (LMFT--licensed to work with couples, families, and individuals only if they are dealing with relationship concerns), or licensed clinical social workers (LCSW--can work with anyone, typically in helping clients to adjust socially). Here is a link for more information.

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 for most difficulties in fewer than six months, although therapy for phobias, short-term issues, uncomplicated depression, and so on typically lasts between 3 and 6 months. Most people attend psychotherapy once per week. Twice per week may be necessary for a short time during crisis periods.

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. 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, and may consult with other psychologists from time to time in order to continue to offer the best care to their clients.

Does psychotherapy work?

Yes. Although no one can guarantee psychotherapy will work for every individual person and circumstance, there is a massive amount of research evidence on the overall effectiveness of psychotherapy. It is summarized here. (The article also summarizes the less-than-overwhelming support for some medications.) For immediate suggestions for various conditions, please click here.