Which states are you seeing patients in?

Please note that you must be physically present in the state of California to receive telehealth services from me for every online appointment that is scheduled. This is required by law.

What kind of patients do you treat?

In general, I have experience working with patients of all ages (ages 5 to 65) and across the diagnostic spectrum of mental health issues. I have experience working with children and teenagers with depression, anxiety, ADHD, ODD, OCD, and tic disorders, which are more common in youth.  I also have experience in treating adults with depression, anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, PTSD, psychosis, and bipolar disorder.

What kind of treatment is provided?

Treatment with me may include medications and/or therapy. I provide care using the best evidence-based treatment options available.  I commonly use standardized questionnaires to help track progress in treatment.  I combine this scientific and data-driven approach with a therapeutic stance that views each individual's psychological needs through attachment-based, relational, and psychodynamic lenses.  

I believe that psychotherapy is a vital component of mental health treatment, and recommend that all of my patients receive some form of therapy.  If you do not have an existing therapist, I can provide psychotherapy depending on my availability.  If you have a therapist, I can provide medication management while collaborating with your existing therapist. I typically provide the following types of psychotherapy: 

• Exposure Response Prevention Therapy (ERP) for OCD

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Mood, Anxiety

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)

• Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

• Parent Support/Training

How do I get started with treatment?

Click “Get Started” in the header. You will be directed to my Luminello page, where you can book a visit by filling out a brief request form. Within a few days, I will contact you by email to discuss the next steps for scheduling your intake appointment. My email communications are free of charge.

How long does the intake process take?

My intakes take place over two sessions, which can be scheduled with at least one week in between. At the first visit, I will listen to your story and begin to develop a treatment plan. At the second visit, I will give you feedback on what I think may help as well as any diagnoses you may meet criteria for. We will decide at the end of the intake if you would like to continue or if you would like to end the consultation.

When do we officially establish care?

At the end of the intake process, if we determine together that this will be a good fit and have agreed upon a treatment plan. Our initial contact and consultation does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship until the entire intake process is complete.

All material provided on this website is for informational purposes only. Visiting this website does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Direct consultation with a qualified professional is necessary to address any medical or mental health problems.

How often will I need to follow up?

Visit frequency will typically depends on your specific mental health needs. I typically see patients up to twice weekly at a maximum. If more intensive care is needed, I will recommend a program such as an IOP (intensive outpatient program) or PHP (partial hospital program). I see all patients at least once every 3 months to remain in my practice. This is medically necessary to ensure adequate monitoring and care.

Do you accept any insurance plans?

I am not paneled with any insurance carrier. I can provide a super bill or medical receipt for services rendered, which will allow you to submit an out-of-network claim to insurance for reimbursement. I recommend speaking to your insurance before initiating treatment if you plan to use out-of-network benefits, as the amount that insurance companies cover for services varies widely between plans.

What forms of payment do you take?

I accept payment by all major credit cards (AmEx, Visa, Discover, Mastercard). I require that a credit card be on file prior to our first appointment. You can also use your pre-existing HSA/FSA funds to help cover the cost of services.

Will telepsychiatry work for me?

There are some conditions for which in-person doctor visits are strongly recommended. Those dealing with frequent suicidality or severe symptoms would be better served with closer monitoring and in-person doctor visits. In addition, young children (under the age of 5) tend to do better with in-person doctor visits. I am happy to communicate with you prior to scheduling to help determine if you or your child is a good fit for telepsychiatry.

Do you have patient policies and privacy notices?

Yes. Once you complete my Luminello form, if I think we may be a good fit, I will send you my forms (patient policies, privacy notice, no-surprise billing notice, and telehealth consent), which will need to be electronically signed and submitted prior to our first visit.

What is your cancellation policy?

Due to the limited hours of my clinic and high demand for visits, I require that all visit cancellations and requests to reschedule be made 48 business hours in advance. For example, if your appointment is on Monday at 4pm, please cancel no later than the previous Thursday at 4pm.

If you do not give two business days notice, you will be responsible for the full session fee. “No shows” or frequent late arrivals can be a significant obstacle to treatment progress. Unfortunately, no insurance companies reimburse for no show visits. Patient emergencies are handled on a case-by-case basis.