Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
About Therapy

If you're feeling anxious, overwhelmed, emotionally disconnected, or stuck in patterns that no longer serve you, therapy can help. Many clients come to therapy during life transitions, after a loss, or when perfectionism, self-doubt, or past experiences begin to feel too heavy to carry alone. Working with a trauma-informed therapist in the East Bay or online across California can offer the support, clarity, and direction you’ve been needing.

Start by noticing how you feel when reading a therapist’s website - do their words resonate with your experience? In a consultation or first session, ask yourself: Do I feel seen, safe, and respected here? Finding the right therapist isn’t just about credentials, it’s about connection. Trust your gut and give yourself permission to explore until it feels like a good fit.

A strong connection with your therapist is essential for meaningful work. We offer a free 20-minute consultation so we can get to know each other and see if our approach feels right for you.

Reach out for a free 20-minute consultation. We’ll explore your needs and see if our approach is a good fit. Whether you’re in Orinda, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, or anywhere in the Bay Area, we’re here to support your journey toward healing.

Both! We offer in-person therapy in Orinda, CA, and online therapy throughout California. Whether you’re local to the East Bay or elsewhere in the state, sessions are available via a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform.

Yes! Through online therapy in California, we support clients across the state with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and more.

Yes. Research shows that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy for many concerns, including anxiety, depression, and trauma. It also offers flexibility and comfort, letting you meet from a familiar space without the commute. We use a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform to ensure your privacy and safety.

As trauma-informed East Bay therapists, we specialize in therapy for anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief, self-worth struggles, complex trauma, perfectionism, low self-esteem, relationship challenges and more. We also provide support for teens, adults, and helping professionals seeking meaningful change.

Therapy for anxiety and stress can help you regulate your nervous system, manage overwhelming thoughts, and build resilience.

Therapy can help with depression by giving you a safe, supportive space to explore what you’re feeling and why. Together, we can untangle patterns of self-criticism, numbness, or hopelessness and begin to reconnect you with yourself. Through relational, trauma-informed therapy, you'll gain tools for managing symptoms while also addressing the deeper emotional roots—so healing can be lasting, not just surface-level.

Yes. Whether you’re facing communication struggles, emotional distance, or unhelpful patterns in your relationship, we provide therapy in-person in Orinda and through online therapy throughout California. Together, we can work toward deeper connection and healing.

Yes. We offer therapy for grief and loss both in-person in Orinda and through online therapy for California residents, providing a safe, supportive space for you to honor your feelings and gently heal.

Absolutely. If you’re grappling with perfectionism, self-doubt, or a persistent feeling of “not enough,” therapy offers a path to reconnect with your worth and quiet the inner critic. As East Bay therapists, we provide support both in-person in Orinda and through online therapy for California residents, helping you reclaim your confidence and peace of mind.

Yes. Whether it’s a new job, a move, or a major life change, we provide compassionate counseling for life transitions to help you embrace change with clarity, courage, and a sense of balance. As East Bay therapists, we offer both in-person therapy in Orinda and online therapy throughout California to meet you where you are.

Therapy is a collaborative process. Together, we’ll explore your thoughts, feelings, and patterns, and identify strategies to help you move forward. Whether you’re working through anxiety, depression, trauma, or feeling stuck, we’ll create a personalized plan tailored to your needs.

Your first session is a chance to explore what’s bringing you in and what you’re hoping for from therapy. You don’t need to share everything right away, we’ll move at a pace that feels right for you. Whether we meet in Orinda or online across California, the focus is on creating a safe, supportive space and seeing if this feels like a good fit.

After the first session, therapy becomes a space to go deeper. Together, we’ll begin exploring the experiences, patterns, and beliefs that shape how you feel and relate to yourself and others. As trust builds, we’ll develop a secure, collaborative therapeutic relationship, a key part of healing, especially in relational and trauma-informed work.

Over time, you may begin to feel more grounded, more connected to yourself, and better able to navigate challenges with clarity and confidence. Some sessions might bring relief, others reflection, but each one is part of a process that unfolds at your pace, in a way that honors your story and your growth.

Typically, we meet with clients weekly on the same day and time each week. On occasion, clients who have been in therapy for awhile may reduce to session frequency to every other week.

The length of therapy depends on your goals and challenges. Some clients find relief in a few months, while others benefit from longer-term support. We’ll work at a pace that feels right for you.

A Good Faith Estimate (GFE) is a written summary of the expected costs for your therapy services, provided in accordance with the No Surprises Act. If you're uninsured or not using insurance, you're entitled to receive this estimate before starting care. The GFE outlines the type of services, anticipated frequency, and total projected cost over a period of time. Its purpose is to help you make informed decisions, plan for your care, and avoid unexpected billing. If your actual costs exceed the estimate by a significant amount, you have the right to dispute the charges.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises

Yes. As licensed mental health therapists, we ensure that all sessions, whether in-person or online, are confidential and secure.