Frequently asked questions

The first step is a free consultation call, which you can book online or arrange by calling (415) 484-9466. On the call, we'll talk about what's bringing you in and what you're hoping for, and you can ask me anything about how I work. Fit matters a great deal, especially in relational work. If it feels right, we'll schedule a first session. If I'm not the right person, I'm glad to help you find someone who is.

You don't need a clear agenda to start. Some people arrive with a concrete focus, like stopping an escalating fight cycle or sorting out their drinking. Others just know they feel exhausted, on edge, or tired of living in performance mode. Naming what feels heavy right now is enough. As we talk, the underlying patterns surface, and we figure out what needs attention together.

It depends entirely on what brings you in. Some people come for a few months with a focused goal—like navigating a major life transition, easing sexual performance pressure, or learning to set boundaries without guilt.

For others, the focus is depth therapy, which is open-ended and often unfolds over several years. That kind of long-term work moves past quick symptom relief to untangle lifelong defenses, examine deep-seated shame, and begin to change how you relate to yourself, your body, and other people.

We check in regularly about how the work feels and where it’s heading, and you always set the pace for how long you stay.

Individual sessions are 50 minutes. Couples sessions are 75 minutes, which gives each partner space to speak, listen, and de-escalate.

We typically begin by meeting weekly. That creates a steady cadence to untangle current issues, build practical emotional tools, and get underneath the stress of day-to-day life.

In depth therapy, we typically meet multiple times a week. That frequency changes the nature of the work. When seven days don’t pass between sessions, your usual self-protective habits don’t have time to settle back into place, and we spend less time catching up on life updates. It creates an immersive space where we can work directly with shame, defenses, and lifelong relationship patterns in real time. To make this sustainable, an adjusted per-session rate may be available for multi-session weeks.

Yes. I provide telehealth to clients throughout the State of California via a HIPAA-compliant video platform. I also see clients in person at my office in San Francisco’s Castro district. I only see clients who are located in California.

Sex therapy is talk therapy that places sexuality, desire, and intimacy at the center of the work, rather than treating them as side topics. You can come on your own or with partners. Clothes stay on, and no physical contact happens in the room. We talk candidly about desire, boundaries, shame, and physical challenges just as we would any other topic. When appropriate, we may discuss exercises, conversations, or practices for you to explore privately at home. More about sex therapy →

We start with curiosity, not mandates or moralizing. Often, behaviors that feel compulsive or exhausting began as ways to self-soothe stress, anxiety, or isolation. We look at what the pattern is doing for you, how it’s getting in your way, and what kind of relationship with sex or substances feels sustainable and healthy for you.

We look at the agreements that govern your dynamic—what is working, what has drifted, and where communication is breaking down. Rather than assuming non-monogamy is the cause of the problem, we treat your relationship structure as the context, focusing on pacing, emotional safety, boundaries, and rebuilding trust.

Individual sessions (50 minutes) are $235, and couples sessions (75 minutes) are $300. If you meet multiple times a week, a reduced per-session fee may be available. I also have limited sliding-scale availability for clients with financial need; we can talk about it during your free consultation.

I don't accept insurance directly, but I can provide a monthly superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Many PPO plans cover part of the cost, so it's worth checking your out-of-network benefits before we begin.

Yes, with a few legal exceptions, such as a risk of serious harm to yourself or others, or suspected abuse of a child or elder. I'll walk you through these at our first session.

Please give me at least 48 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule. I charge the full fee for late cancellations and missed sessions.