Frequently Asked Questions

  • -Go to your nearest emergency room or contact 911.

    -Contact Butte County Behavioral crisis: (530) 891-2810

    -National suicide hotline: 988

    -Northern Valley Talk line: 1 (855)582-5554

    -Sutter/ Yuba Behavioral Health: (530) 673-8255

    Please note that I am not available after hours or for crisis based situations. There are local community services set up to help in these cases.

  • 5 Tips to Find the Right Therapist

    • Call the therapist on the phone for a consultation. Find out if the therapist uses an evidence-based treatment for your concerns.

    • Find out in advance what the fees will cost you, the charge for missed sessions and, if possible, how long therapy might take.

    • Find out where the therapist is located, what hours are available for your treatment, and if the therapist will see you in an emergency.

    • Find out what kind of therapy your potential therapist is likely to provide see if that fits your needs and/ or expectations. Do your homework on the types of modalities they provide, does this seem like something you want to try?

    • Remember that choosing a therapist is a very personal matter. There is no one therapist that is good for everyone. It is important that you feel a sense of trust and that this therapist can help you.

    Take the time to find the right therapist for you.

    Source: APA Div. 12 (Society of Clinical Psychology)

  • Confidentiality starts the moment you call. My phone line is confidential. I pay the extra charge for a HIPAA compliant, confidential, line so your information is protected. You are welcome to text or call knowing that it will be encrypted and therefore confidential. Please note that my email is NOT encrypted and while every safeguard is taken within my control, things do happen out of my control.

  • This is really case by case. Be honest about your level of need so your therapist can create a plan with you. Complex trauma will likely take much more time than acute issues…but… everyone is different.

    Duration also depends on motivation to heal, time spent in and out of therapy practicing and many other factors.

    Combining CBT with body based modalities like EFT and EMDR definitely speed up the process but sometimes it also helps us recognize how much work needs to be done in so many areas.

  • Insurance companies are demanding and particular in what types of treatment can be done and when. In my experience, corporate policies focused on bottom line do not mesh well with the healing process. They often require a more extreme mental health diagnosis than I am willing to provide to justify services. They also request time, energy and personal health information beyond what I believe is reasonable or justified. They reimburse mental health practitioners with very low rates, which is unfair but especially for those of us with extensive and expensive additional training. Often they do not reimburse small business practitioners timely or sometimes at all for services rendered. I want to provide you with the best possible care and stay client centered so this is in the highest good for both of us.

    I can provide you with a ‘superbill’ that can be submitted to your insurance companies after the paid session. You can talk to your insurance company to see what coverage they offer for out-of-network therapy sessions. Partial reimbursement is available through most insurance companies, I have seen up to 70%. At this time I do not have a sliding scale but that is subject to change.

    Please note: I do work a few hours per week at Tribal Health. When you call your insurance company, they may look me up and report that I am a covered provider. While I am in-network for Tribal Health, in my private practice I am out-of-network. You will need to use ‘superbill’ reimbursement to cover services. Since Tribal Health services are limited to Native American clients, I will not be able to see you there unless you qualify under the clinic’s terms.

  • Adaptability is good. I found a company that makes the insurance process easy for you, easy for me.

    As of now, I am able to bill: Aetna, United Health Care, Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross, Oxford, and Oscar Health. I CANNOT take Medicare at this time, I am an “opted-out” provider.

    Use the link in the ‘contact/fees’ tab above to access the Headway website, plug in your insurance information and find out, instantly, the amount covered by your insurance.

    It’s not comprehensive insurance acceptance yet, but it’s a start.

  • Having been the field for over 20 years, I have worked with a very wide range of clients and mental health issues. I know my strengths and weaknesses. I have narrowed down my practice to Adults and Teens, specifically teen girls. I do not work with children under the age of 12.

  • Typically, Wednesday-Friday and some Sundays. By appointment only. My schedule is subject to change as I navigate my work/ life balance: groups, community/ state mental health work, parenting, and staying inspired by life and the work.

  • I have created a Resources page for you!

  • When I, personally, go to a website, I really like to know a lot about a lot. Since information is important to me, I’m passing it on. I am also excited about holistic therapies! I really just want to let people know that more than talk therapy is possible and how. Take what you need and leave the rest.

    Want to know more? Call me! (530) 453-6141