I usually tell clients that the best case scenario for therapy (both in-session and outside) is that you feel the full spectrum of human emotion to a degree that feels authentic to you.

More practically, I can tell you it will be uncomfortable at times, and that it will hopefully also be intrinsically enjoyable.

If you are feeling more or less emotion than seems to make sense, I find there is often a compelling reason for that. Lost a loved one but haven’t cried? I bet there’s a good reason. Broke a plate and can’t stop crying? A reason for that too. With some care and curiosity, we’ll find out together.

Interestingly, allowing your emotions to be what they are tends to feel pretty good, overall, even if the emotions themselves are difficult to be with. Change is scary though. It’ll be easier to take it on in a room full of trust, which will be the top priority for me to build with you.

Simpler, less-annoying answer:
Probably about 3-6 months.

Truer, more-annoying answer:
It depends. (A therapist’s favorite answer)

A huge advantage for your timeline is being willing to try to listen to your partner with an open-mind, without defensiveness, counter-attacking, or invalidation. By the same token, being willing to show up with radical honesty to the best of your ability helps quite a bit, too.

Often times the place therapy starts is the tip of the iceberg, and the work reveals a much bigger experience just below the surface. If we agree that this is the case, we may decide to work on a deeper level. Going to the core of a challenge takes time, but interestingly, can also save time, as you save yourself from going around in circles. Experiences like trauma, attachment wounds, or shame-based core beliefs need time and patience to heal (exponentially in a couple) - but addressing them can be incredibly empowering.

How?

I offer secure, remote sessions over Zoom and Headway.

For now I’m remote-only, but if in-person sessions near San Jose, CA would improve the value for you, I’d love to hear about it.

How often?

I often recommend that we start on a weekly basis, which allows us to build trust and understanding quickly and make sure you don’t lose momentum. As you improve, there is typically a point where it makes sense to meet every other week or even monthly as you gradually work towards wrapping up :)

What even is a theoretical orientation?
A therapist’s theoretical orientation is the lens they see their work through. Therapy is shaped by various cultural assumptions, views about how people think and act, and types of plans for how to show up during the session. These, informed by specific training and research, form a helpful framework a therapist can lean on to support their therapeutic work.

Ok, so what’s yours then?
I practice Humanistic therapy, bridging Existential and Person-Centered therapies. The idea is simple, and to me, it’s what the whole point of therapy is: you need to feel heard, understood, and free from judgement in order to develop in therapy. And when I say I need to understand you, that’s not just as a set of symptoms or a problem to be solved, but rather as a complex human being with a worthwhile story. The relationship and environment this approach creates focuses on empowering you to see yourself clearly, lovingly, and capably, so that you embody the agency necessary to act on the opportunities you have.

Importantly - I do not accept insurance or offer superbills for couples work. The reason for this is that the way insurance requires billing for couples sessions (focusing on one individual, rather than the couple as a whole) can create challenges that can undermine the balance of work we’re doing. I’m always happy to share more about this on a call if you have more questions.

I do, here’s how it works:

First off, I always offer a freebie for the first instance - life happens.

A “no show” or “late cancellation” happens if you don’t arrive at the session as scheduled or cancel less than 24 hours before the appointment time. When this happens, you’re responsible for the full session fee. I do this to support the value of my time and to encourage accountability for yours.

In case of a no-show or late cancellation, if you make a good-faith effort to reschedule within the same week and I’m available, I’m often able to waive the fee.

$210/session for individuals, $230/session for couples. Billed at the end of the session.

Yes - enthusiastically! I identify as part of the community and strive to create an affirming, caring space. I’m also no stranger to queerness and neurodivergence existing hand-in-hand. It’s one of my favorite combinations to work with :)