Frequently Asked Questions

Deciding whether you need therapy can be challenging, but there are some signs that might indicate it could be beneficial for you:

1. Persistent Feelings of Sadness or Anxiety: If you feel sad, anxious, or hopeless for an extended period, therapy might help you understand and address these emotions.

2. Difficulty Coping with Daily Life: If you're finding it hard to manage daily tasks, maintain relationships, or perform at work or school, therapy could help you develop coping strategies.

3. Changes in Sleep or Appetite: Significant changes in your sleep patterns or appetite can be signs of underlying mental health issues that therapy might help with.

4. Traumatic Experiences: If you've experienced trauma, such as abuse, a serious accident, or the loss of a loved one, therapy can provide a safe space to process these events.

5. Relationship Issues: If you're struggling with relationships, whether romantic, familial, or platonic, therapy can help you understand and improve your interactions with others.

6. Physical Symptoms: Sometimes mental health issues manifest as physical symptoms like chronic pain, headaches, or digestive issues. Therapy can help address the root cause of these symptoms.

7. Lack of Enjoyment or Interest: If you no longer find joy in activities you used to enjoy, this could be a sign of depression or other mental health issues.

8. Feeling Overwhelmed or Stuck: If you feel overwhelmed by your emotions or stuck in your current situation, therapy can help you find a path forward.

It's important to remember that seeking therapy is not a sign of weakness. It's a proactive step towards better mental health and overall well-being. If you're unsure, schedule a free 20-minute consultation to help you determine if therapy might be right for you.

Session lengths vary between 60 minutes, 90 minutes, and an all day intensive format. Sessions usually include an emotional "off-ramp" to help ease you back into your day. This may not always be possible but we will work together to build safety in the therapeutic space.

In the first therapy session, we will discuss your hopes for change and create goals for the therapy journey together. We will talk about the reasons you decided to reach out for therapy and go over the therapy process to answer any questions you may have.

I offer traditional weekly therapy as well as therapy intensives for those looking to make progress quickly.

For clients curious about less frequent meetings in the traditional therapy format, I would recommend searching for a different therapist. Meeting weekly has been shown to improve clients’ progress toward their goals. For that reason, I meet with clients on a weekly basis. We will work together to find a weekly recurring time for our appointment that works for both our schedules. Therapy is a commitment. Clients that invest in the time get better faster and make relapse less likely.

Knowing when you're ready to be done with therapy is a personal decision that typically involves input from both you and your therapist. Here are some signs that might indicate you're ready to end therapy:

1. Achieved Goals: You've met the goals you set at the beginning of therapy or have resolved the issues that brought you to therapy.

2. Improved Symptoms: You notice a significant reduction in the symptoms that led you to seek therapy, such as anxiety, depression, or stress.

3. Effective Coping Strategies: You've developed and can consistently use healthy coping mechanisms to deal with life's challenges.

4. Enhanced Self-Awareness: You have a better understanding of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and can manage them effectively.

5. Stable Relationships: Your relationships with family, friends, and colleagues have improved, and you can handle conflicts more constructively.

6. Resilience: You feel more resilient and capable of facing future challenges without becoming overwhelmed.

7. Confidence: You have greater confidence in your ability to handle life's ups and downs without relying on therapy.

8. Positive Outlook: You have a more positive outlook on life and feel hopeful about the future.

9. Consistency in Improvement: The improvements you've made are stable and consistent over time, not just temporary changes.

10. Open Communication with Your Therapist: You've discussed your progress and the possibility of ending therapy with your therapist, and both of you agree that it's a good time to do so.

Remember that ending therapy doesn't mean you can't return if needed. Life can bring new challenges, and it's okay to seek help again in the future. If you feel unsure about ending therapy, discussing your feelings and concerns with your therapist can help you make a more informed decision.

60-minute sessions cost $175 while 90-minute sessions cost $200. The cost of therapy intensives depends on the format and length you chosen and you can find more information by going to the intensives website page.

I am currently a private-pay, out-of-network provider. While I don't accept insurance directly, your insurance plan may have out-of-network benefits, which means that they will reimburse you for a portion of our session cost. I will provide you with a receipt from our sessions that you can then submit to your insurance.

The best way to find this information would be to contact your insurance carrier directly via the phone number listed on your insurance card.

Unfortunately, I do not have weekend availability. I do have limited evening availability. Schedule a free 20-minute consultation to determine if therapy is right for you and your schedule.

I provide telehealth services for convenience and the least disruption to your life. I use a HIPAA-secure platform that you receive a link for 48 hours prior to our scheduled session. Please ensure you have a quiet and private space for our sessions. For intensives I utilize a combination of virtual and in-person services.

I work with all clients regardless of their identity (i.e. gender, race, ethnicity, religion, etc.) but I specialize in working with Asian-identified couples and multiracial couples where one partner identifies as Asian. I also specialize in working with Asian men on social and emotional wellbeing and healthcare professionals who are experiencing relationship issues or are burned out. Clients who have success working with me are motivated to change, eager to learn, and hopeful.

If you feel that therapy isn't working, there are several steps you can take to address the situation:

1. Communicate with Your Therapist: The first step is to talk openly with your therapist about your concerns. Explain why you feel therapy isn't helping and discuss any specific issues you're experiencing.

2. Review Your Goals: Revisit the goals you set at the beginning of therapy. Are they still relevant? Do they need to be adjusted? Sometimes, refining your goals can give therapy new direction.

3. Evaluate the Approach: Different therapeutic approaches work for different people. If one method isn't effective, you might benefit from trying another. Discuss with your therapist the possibility of incorporating different techniques or approaches.

4. Seek Feedback: Ask your therapist for their perspective on your progress. They might have insights into why things aren't progressing as expected and offer suggestions for change.

5. Consider Practical Factors: Practical issues such as the frequency of sessions, timing, or even the therapy format (in-person vs. online) can impact effectiveness. Adjusting these factors might improve your experience.

6. Reflect on Your Engagement: Consider your own level of engagement and participation in therapy. Are you being open and honest? Are you applying the strategies discussed in therapy to your daily life?

7. Second Opinion: If you're still unsatisfied after discussing your concerns with your therapist, consider seeking a second opinion. Another professional might offer a fresh perspective or suggest a different treatment plan.

8. Therapist-Client Fit: Sometimes, the issue might be a lack of fit between you and your therapist. It's essential to feel comfortable and understood by your therapist. If you think this might be the problem, it might be worth considering a change to a therapist who better matches your needs and personality.

9. Additional Support: Sometimes therapy alone might not be enough. Additional support, such as joining a support group, practicing mindfulness, or engaging in physical activities, can complement therapy and enhance your overall well-being.

10. Give it Time: Therapy can be a slow process, and progress might not be immediately noticeable. Give it time, and be patient with yourself and the process.

If you continue to feel that therapy isn't working despite trying these steps, it might be beneficial to explore other forms of treatment or support that could be more effective for you. I am here to support you and that includes if I am not a good fit for your needs.