Frequently Asked Questions

"Not Sure" Questions

  • If you're reading this, something brought you here. Maybe it's the 3am ceiling staring sessions. Maybe it's realizing you've been "managing" for years and you're exhausted. Maybe it's watching your child struggle with the same patterns you have. Maybe it's your partner saying "we need help." The free consultation is a no-pressure way to explore whether therapy might help. You don't have to have it figured out to start.

  • You don't have to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. If something in your life isn't working, if you're exhausted, stuck, or watching patterns repeat, that's enough. Waiting until things fall apart just makes it harder. Getting ahead of it is smart, not dramatic.

  • We start where you are. The goal isn't just understanding. It's changing what you do, at a pace you can actually sustain.

  • The fact that someone you care about is concerned is worth exploring, even if you're skeptical. The free consultation is a no-pressure conversation. We can talk about what they're seeing, what you're experiencing, and whether therapy makes sense. You're not committing to anything by having a conversation.

  • That's what the free 15 minute consultation is for. We'll talk about what you're dealing with, I'll explain how I work, and we'll both get a sense of whether this feels right. You'll know pretty quickly whether you trust me or not. Research shows people make that call within seconds, and your gut is usually right. Not every therapist/client match works, and that's okay. Finding the right fit matters more than finding the "best" therapist.

  • What matters most is whether you feel seen, heard, and understood, not whether we look the same or have had similar life experiences. I work with people across different backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Some clients initially worry about this and then find the work goes deeper than they expected. Others realize partway through that they need someone with more specific lived experience, and that's okay too. We can talk openly about this in the consultation and figure out if we're a good fit.

General Therapy Questions

  • Anxiety that keeps you up at 3am. Depression that makes everything feel pointless. Burnout from years of pushing through. Relationship patterns that keep repeating. Substance use you're questioning or trying to change. Trauma you've never fully processed. Family patterns you don't want to pass to your kids. Perfectionism and imposter syndrome despite your achievements. The gap between how your life looks on paper and how it actually feels.

    If you're stuck in patterns that logic alone isn't changing, that's the work.

  • I use an integrated framework built on five core elements that research shows drive lasting change: working with emotions and experiences, connecting mind and body, integrating different parts of yourself, building a strong therapeutic relationship, and developing insight that leads to action. This isn't about one technique. It's about using what works for you.

  • We talk about what's happening in your life right now, the patterns you're stuck in, what you want to change, and what's getting in the way. This isn't lying on a couch analyzing your childhood though we'll explore past patterns if they're relevant. It's concrete, focused work on changing behaviors that aren't serving you.

  • Friends and mentors are valuable. But therapy offers something different: a trained professional who understands how change works, who can identify patterns you can't see yourself, and who helps you change what you actually do, not just how you think about it. Plus, it's a space entirely about you, where you don't have to perform or manage anyone else's reactions.

  • Most people I work with have tried before. The issue usually isn't effort. It's that the work stayed at the level of insight. You understood yourself better, but nothing actually changed in how you responded day to day. We focus on behavior change: what you actually do differently, not just how you think about things.

  • Some clients notice improved sleep and reduced physical tension within 3 to 4 weeks. Bigger shifts in decision making, relationships, and self perception typically emerge around the 8 to 12 week mark. Lasting change requires consistent work. You can't undo years of patterns in a few sessions.

  • Depends entirely on your goals. Some clients work with me for a few months to address a specific issue. Others continue for a year or more to work on deeper patterns. We'll check in regularly about your progress and what makes sense.

Questions for Parents & Partners

  • Many parents come initially for their child and realize their own patterns need attention too. That's common and nothing to feel guilty about. We can start with your child and see what makes sense. Often, when one family member changes, it shifts the whole system.

  • Look for changes in their normal patterns: trouble sleeping, increased anxiety about school or mistakes, withdrawing from activities they used to enjoy, persistent sadness, behavioral changes after a family transition, or physical symptoms without medical cause. If you're wondering whether they need help, that's usually a sign it's worth exploring.

  • If you're carrying all the emotional labor, managing everything while your partner is consumed by work or substances or emotional shutdown, you need support too, especially if you've been carrying this alone. Partners often need their own space to process exhaustion, resentment, and to figure out what boundaries they need. Whether or not your partner ever comes to therapy, you deserve support.

  • You can still benefit from individual therapy. We can work on your patterns, your boundaries, and what you need, regardless of whether your partner participates. Sometimes when one person changes, it creates space for the other to change too. Sometimes it helps you get clear on what you need to do for yourself.

  • To maintain clear boundaries, I work with one person or one couple from a family. Other family members needing therapy should see a different therapist. That said, family members can join your sessions periodically as collateral support. For example, your partner might join occasionally to understand your treatment, or you might include a parent in discussions about your progress. These collateral sessions are part of your therapy, not separate treatment for them.

  • Confidentiality matters for children too. I'll share general themes and progress with you, and we'll have regular check ins. But the specifics of what your child shares stay between us unless there's a safety concern. This helps them trust the therapeutic space.

  • That's tough. Therapy doesn't work if someone is forced into it. Sometimes framing it as "Let's just try one session and see if it's helpful" can reduce resistance. Sometimes letting them know you're going to therapy yourself can shift things. And sometimes they need to come to it in their own time.

Logistics Questions

  • My office is at Process Therapy Institute, 1760 The Alameda, Suite 100, San José, CA 95126. I also offer virtual therapy throughout California for clients who prefer meeting remotely.

    If you're stuck in patterns that logic alone can't solve, that's what I work with.

  • Yes. I offer secure video therapy for clients anywhere in California. Many clients find virtual therapy more convenient and prefer meeting from home. The therapeutic work is just as effective virtually as in person.

  • I don't accept insurance directly, but I can provide a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement. Here's how it works:

    What's a superbill?
    A superbill is an itemized receipt with everything your insurance company needs to process out-of-network claims: diagnosis codes, session dates, and fees. I provide these monthly, and you submit them directly to your insurance for reimbursement.

    How much will insurance reimburse?
    If you have a PPO plan (like United Healthcare PPO, CIGNA PPO, Blue Shield of CA PPO, or Aetna PPO), your insurance may reimburse 60-70% of the session cost after you meet your deductible. If you have an HMO, reimbursement may be possible through a Single Case Agreement. Contact your insurance to ask about this option.

    Why don't you take insurance directly?
    This protects your privacy and keeps the focus on the work, not what insurance companies require. When you work with an in-network therapist, your insurance company may require access to your clinical records. With private-pay therapy, you control what information is shared.

    Other payment options:
    I accept FSA and HSA cards. Many Bay Area tech companies offer generous out-of-network mental health benefits, so check your plan's coverage. You may be surprised how much is reimbursed.

    If you have questions about your specific benefits or want help estimating your out-of-pocket costs, we can discuss this during your free consultation.

  • Yes. I have a limited number of reduced fee slots for clients experiencing financial hardship. Ask about availability during your free consultation.

  • I require 24-hour notice when cancelling a session. In cases of no-shows or late cancelations, except for reasons of sudden illness or emergency, you are responsible for payment of the agreed upon session fee.

  • I'm a registered therapist completing supervised clinical hours toward full licensure. I work under the supervision of Supervised by: Harry Motro, Psy.D., MFT and Jennifer Lynn Weise, LMFT.

  • Yes. What we discuss stays between us, with specific exceptions required by California law. I'm required to break confidentiality only when:

    • There's a reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect (mandated reporter requirement under California Penal Code 11166)

    • There's a reasonable suspicion of elder or dependent adult abuse (Welfare and Institutions Code 15630)

    • You communicate a serious threat of physical violence against a reasonably identifiable victim (Tarasoff duty to warn)

    • You are at imminent risk of harming yourself and I believe disclosure is necessary to prevent that harm

    • A court orders release of information through a subpoena or court order

    These are the only circumstances where I would break confidentiality. Your privacy matters. Nothing discussed in therapy will impact your professional life or relationships outside this space unless one of these legal exceptions applies.

  • I'm available by email and text for scheduling questions. For urgent issues, emergency sessions are available and I'll provide you with crisis resources. I'm not available 24/7, but we'll have a clear plan for what to do if something comes up.

  • No. As a therapist, I can't prescribe medication. If medication might be helpful, I can refer you to a psychiatrist or work collaboratively with your primary care doctor. Many clients benefit from both therapy and medication. They address different aspects of the problem.

Still Have Questions?

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