Frequently Asked Questions

About East Bay Therapy In Orinda

Bountiful Health

A Boutique Psychotherapy Practice

Supporting adults & teens navigating anxiety, depression, grief, and other life challenges.

Serving Orinda, Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Berkeley, Oakland, and nearby communities.
Online therapy is available across California.

Starting therapy is a meaningful step, and it’s natural to have questions. Whether you’re seeking support for anxiety, depression, self-worth, relationship challenges, or life transitions, this page is here to help.

Below you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions people ask when beginning therapy in the East Bay, exploring online therapy in California, or simply searching for a compassionate space to feel supported and begin healing.

If you don’t see your question here, please feel free to reach out. I’m happy to talk through what’s on your mind.

Getting Started

  • Therapy can be helpful if you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed,down, or just not quite like yourself.

    Some people come during transitions in their lives, after a loss, or when self-doubt, perfectionism, or past experiences feel too much to carry alone. Even if you’re unsure, many find therapy a supportive place to start and see what might help.

    For a list of our offerings, please view our Services page.

  • Many people feel this way, and it’s true that you may not “need” therapy in order to cope. But therapy isn’t about weakness; it’s about giving yourself extra support, perspective, and tools.

    While you can make progress on your own, a therapist can help you see blind spots, challenge unhelpful patterns, and offer new strategies you might not reach alone.

    Even if you’re used to managing by yourself, therapy can lighten the load and open space for deeper growth and change.

  • Therapy offers a safe place to slow down, reflect, and be deeply heard. It can help you untangle patterns that keep you stuck, ease symptoms like anxiety or depression, and build coping skills for life’s challenges.

    Many people also find therapy supports personal growth by improving communication, deepening self-understanding, and boosting self-confidence.

  • The relationship matters most. A consultation gives you a chance to see if a therapist’s style feels supportive and comfortable. Use that time to ask questions and notice how you feel with them. The right therapist won’t “fix” you, but they’ll help you feel supported, accepted, and not alone in your process. Trust your gut - fit matters!

    For more information please read our blog post called, “Getting Started: East Bay Therapist in Orinda-Finding the Right Fit for You”.

  • It can feel confusing to sort out the different titles:

    Therapists and counselors are licensed mental health professionals (like LMFTs, LCSWs, or LPCs) who provide talk therapy to support emotional health, relationships, and life challenges. 

    Psychologists also provide therapy, often with additional training in testing, research, or specialized methods. 

    Psychiatrists are medical doctors who focus on diagnosis and prescribing medication, and some also offer therapy. 

    Life coaches can be helpful for motivation, accountability, or reaching personal goals, but they aren’t licensed to treat mental health conditions.

    The best fit depends on what you’re looking for. Therapy is often a good starting place if you want a safe, supportive space to understand yourself, work through challenges, and create lasting change.

    If we determine together that medication might also be helpful, we can collaborate with psychiatrists or other providers to ensure your care feels connected and well-supported.

  • We work with adults and teens navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief, self-worth challenges, trauma, perfectionism, relationship struggles, and more. To learn more about each area, visit our. Services page

The Therapy Process

  • As a relational integrative therapist, I see therapy as a process of self-understanding and growth.

    In our first session, we’ll talk about what brings you in and what you hope for.

    From there, therapy becomes a collaborative space to reflect, notice patterns, and explore new ways of coping and connecting.

    Over time, this process helps you gain insight, shift unhelpful patterns, and move toward greater ease, clarity, and confidence.

  • That’s completely okay. Sometimes just showing up is the most important step, and we can begin with whatever feels most present for you in the moment.

  • It’s normal to hit moments when therapy feels slow or like it’s not working. If you’re feeling this way, the best step is to bring it up. Together, we can talk about what’s not working, revisit your goals, or adjust the approach. Therapy is a collaborative process, and open conversation often helps get things back on track. Sometimes it takes time to build trust or find the right fit, and that’s part of the journey too.

  • It can vary. Some people feel relief after a few sessions, while deeper changes take more time. We’ll work at a pace that feels right for you, and we’ll check in regularly to make sure therapy feels helpful.

  • Typically, we meet with clients weekly on the same day and time each week to build momentum. Over time, we may shift to every other week or less, depending on your needs.

Practical Details

  • Therapy is an investment in yourself, and we understand cost is an important part of the decision. Our fee is $180 for a 50-minute session.

    We accept some insurance plans, and if we’re not in-network with yours, we can look at using out-of-network benefits or other options to make therapy more accessible.

    For more information please visit our Fees & Insurance page.

  • We understand that life happens and schedules sometimes change. If you need to cancel, please give at least 24 hours’ notice. If you’re able to reschedule within the same week, there won’t be a cancellation fee. Otherwise, sessions canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice may be billed at the full rate, except in cases of serious medical reasons or other circumstances outside of your control.

  • Yes. Therapy is more than just an expense; it’s an investment in your well-being, relationships, and future. The time, energy, and resources you put in can create lasting change that supports you long after our work together ends. Making yourself a priority is important.

  • We are in-network with a number of insurance providers. If we’re not in-network with your provider, you may still be eligible for partial reimbursement through out-of-network benefits.

    Please see our Fees & Insurance page for more information.

  • 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

  • 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. 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.

  • Yes. Both in person and online sessions are private and confidential and is protected by HIPAA and professional ethics. We use a secure, encrypted platform and HIPAA-compliant records.

    We only share information with your written permission unless required by law, for example if there’s a serious safety risk, suspected abuse/neglect of a child/elder/dependent adult, or a court order. You will be sent a confidentiality agreement to sign before your session, which will detail the confidentiality policies.

  • That’s wonderful!

    Just reach out to schedule a free 20-minute consultation. We’ll talk about what you’re looking for, answer your questions, and see if it feels like a good fit.

    If it feels right, we’ll schedule your first session, send over digital intake paperwork, and get started together.

    For more information please view our Therapy Journey page.

    You can also read our blog post called, “Getting Started: East Bay Therapist Consultation”.