How does telehealth therapy work?

All sessions are through Doxy.me, a free HIPAA-compliant platform. No account or download required. Your clinician sends a secure room link before each session.Join from a quiet, private space. Avoid public Wi-Fi. All patients must be physically located within California at the time of service.If you have technical issues during a session, your clinician will attempt to reach you by phone. Test your connection at doxy.me before your first appointment by clicking "Test my camera and microphone." Most patients find that sessions from their own home feel more comfortable and candid than in-person office settings.

Associate clinician vs. fully licensed therapist

Associates hold titles such as APCC, ACSW, or AMFT. They hold a provisional California BBS license and practice under direct supervision while completing 3,000 post-graduate clinical hours toward full licensure.All PMHS associates are supervised by Ryan Frost #51777, a board-approved clinical supervisor. The quality of care you receive is not diminished by associate status.Associates are often more recently trained in current evidence-based modalities. Supervision means your care benefits from two clinical perspectives — your clinician's and their supervisor's.

How long are therapy sessions?

Standard sessions are 50 to 60 minutes. Sessions of 53 or more minutes bill under CPT code 90837. Sessions of 38 to 52 minutes bill under CPT code 90834.Your clinician will determine the frequency and session length that best supports your treatment goals. Most patients attend weekly sessions, particularly early in treatment.If you have questions about how your insurance covers specific session lengths or CPT codes, contact your insurer or speak with your clinician before your first appointment. Session length may be adjusted over time as your treatment needs evolve.

How do I get started?

No waitlist. We respond within 12 to 24 hours to get your first session scheduled.You can also use the contact form on our Connect page to tell us a bit about what you are looking for before we speak. There is no obligation and no paperwork until you decide to move forward.Ryan FrostDirector of Clinical Services(530) 604-4309rfrost@pacmhs.comDmitri KolpacoffMental Health Clinician(925) 771-0430dkolpacoff@pacmhs.com

Do you accept insurance?

PMHS accepts Medi-Cal through our contract with Partnership Health Plan of California. We also offer private pay for patients who are uninsured or prefer to pay out of pocket.Not sure whether your specific plan is accepted? Contact us before submitting and we will verify your coverage at no cost.Private pay rates are shared transparently when you reach out. We do not believe cost should be a barrier to care. PHP Medi-Cal patients receive the same clinical attention as any other patient.

What happens after I reach out?

We text you within 12 to 24 hours, often sooner, to confirm you are ready to get started and that we have availability. You will then get an email invitation through SimplePractice to complete your consent forms electronically. Your first appointment is your intake session, a full 50 to 60 minute session where your clinician learns what brings you to therapy and you start building a plan together. There is no separate screening call. And starting with a specific clinician does not obligate you to continue with them if the fit is not right.

Is everything I share in therapy confidential?

What you share is protected under HIPAA and California's Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA). Limits include mandatory reporting, imminent danger, and valid court orders, all reviewed in your informed consent.Associates participate in required supervision with Ryan Frost, held to the same confidentiality standards as your sessions. Prior to any AI use in your care, you will sign a separate consent form.Questions about what is and is not confidential in your specific situation? Ask your clinician directly before, during, or after any session.

What can I expect from my first session?

Before: You will receive a SimplePractice invitation to complete intake paperwork and informed consent electronically prior to your appointment.During: 50 to 60 minutes. Your clinician asks about your concerns, goals, and history. Together you begin developing a treatment plan. After: If it feels like the right fit, you schedule ongoing sessions.It is normal to feel nervous. Most patients say the first session feels more like a conversation than an evaluation. You are never required to share more than you are ready to.

What should I do if I am in a mental health crisis?

PMHS is not an emergency or crisis service. We do not monitor messages in real time. If you are in immediate danger, contact one of these resources now:988 Lifeline — Call or text 988 | Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741 | Emergency — 911CA Warm Line — (855) 427-3369 for non-crisis peer support. Once safe and stable, reach out through our Connect page to begin ongoing therapeutic support.

What if I have a bad session or feel worse after therapy?

This is more common than most people realize and does not mean therapy is not working. Processing difficult experiences frequently feels uncomfortable before it improves. Some sessions will be harder than others.Consistently feeling worse or unsupported is important clinical feedback. Tell your clinician directly — that honesty leads to the most meaningful adjustments in your treatment approach.If the therapeutic fit is not right, we will help you find someone who is. Ruptures in the therapeutic relationship are normal and expected. Effective therapy is the ability to repair them.

Can I switch therapists if it is not the right fit?

Yes. You do not need a reason beyond "this doesn't feel right." Therapeutic fit is one of the strongest predictors of clinical outcomes in therapy research.If you want to work with a different clinician at PMHS, let us know and we will facilitate the transition. If PMHS is not the right fit at all, we will support you in finding someone who is.You will never be pressured to stay, and we will never make leaving harder than it needs to be. Your continuity of care is the priority, not our retention rate. If needed, we will provide records, referrals, or any documentation to support a smooth transition.

What happens if I miss a session?

We require at least 24 hours notice for any cancellation or rescheduling. Late cancellations and no-shows may be subject to a fee as outlined in your informed consent agreement.Patients who miss three consecutive sessions without contact may be discharged per our patient abandonment prevention policy. If your circumstances change, contact us — we do not hold prior gaps against you.If a barrier is affecting your attendance, tell your clinician before missing a session. Most barriers are solvable when identified early. We would rather adjust the plan than lose you from care.

Do you prescribe medication?

No. PMHS is a 100% virtual, therapy-only clinic. Our clinicians are licensed mental health counselors and therapists, not physicians, psychiatrists, or nurse practitioners. We do not prescribe or manage medications.If medication is something you are considering, consult your primary care physician or a licensed psychiatrist. We coordinate with any prescribing provider with your written consent.PMHS maintains a relationship with a Bay Area psychiatrist who sees patients virtually. Ask your clinician about a referral if a psychiatric evaluation or medication management would benefit your care.

Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?

Yes. PMHS offers evening and limited weekend availability. Specific times vary by clinician. When you reach out, let us know your scheduling constraints and we will find a time that works.Because we are fully virtual, there is no commute and no waiting room. Most patients find telehealth significantly easier to fit into a busy schedule than in-person appointments.Session frequency is flexible. Weekly is the clinical standard, biweekly once you reach a point of stability. Your clinician will discuss frequency during intake and revisit it as your needs change.

How do I know if therapy is working?

Early signs include naming emotions more easily, noticing your own patterns, and having more space between a trigger and your reaction. Progress is often subtle before it becomes obvious.Concrete markers appear over months: better sleep, fewer depressive episodes, stronger relationships, and a clearer sense of your own values and what you want.Your clinician will check in on your treatment goals regularly. If you are unsure whether therapy is helping, bring that question into the session. It is one of the most useful conversations you can have. Often the clearest sign it is working is how you handle something now compared to six months ago. Still have questions? We are happy to help. Reach out to get your first session scheduled or ask any questions before getting started. Connect With Us My Care &rsaquo; Privacy Privacy &Confidentiality. Our work is governed by California law, the Board of Behavioral Sciences, and federal HIPAA standards. Back to My Care Analytics & Site DataThis site uses Google Analytics to collect anonymized data: pages visited, time on site, and general region. No personally identifiable information is collected automatically.IP anonymization is enabled. We do not use advertising pixels, session recorders, or third-party tracking tools. You may opt out via the Google Analytics Opt-out Add-on.Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), you have the right to opt out of the sale of personal data. We do not sell yours. Google Analytics data is used solely to improve the patient experience on this site and is never shared with advertisers or used to make clinical decisions about individual patients. Minimal Data CollectionWe collect only what you voluntarily provide — typically your name, phone number, and email address — used solely to respond to you and schedule your care. We do not market to you or share your data with third parties.If you contact us and do not become a patient, your information is not kept beyond responding to you. No marketing lists, no follow-up campaigns.Active patient records are stored within SimplePractice, our HIPAA-compliant EHR. Under HIPAA, you have the right to access your records, request corrections, and file a complaint with HHS without retaliation. Patient ConfidentialityYour health information is protected under HIPAA and California's Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA). All sessions are conducted through a HIPAA-compliant, end-to-end encrypted platform.Your employer, family, and insurance company cannot access your records without your signed written consent. All release-of-information requests are handled through formal authorization forms within SimplePractice.Minors aged 12 and older may have the right to consent to certain mental health treatment without parental consent under California Health & Safety Code §124260. Your clinician will explain these provisions during informed consent. Professional Ethics & Legal LimitsOur clinicians are bound by the ethical codes of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and CAMFT, as well as licensing requirements enforced by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).Mandatory disclosure obligations include suspected child abuse under CANRA, elder or dependent adult abuse, and imminent danger to the patient or an identifiable third party under the Tarasoff duty to warn.These limits are not loopholes. They exist to protect the most vulnerable. Every patient is informed of these limits in full before services begin. Questions about your specific situation belong in conversation with your clinician. Informed CommunicationEmail and contact forms are not encrypted to the same clinical standard as our telehealth platform. Use them for general questions only. Do not share diagnoses, clinical details, or sensitive information through these channels.Once active, all clinical communication occurs through SimplePractice's secure messaging system. Your clinician does not use personal email or text messaging for clinical matters.Voicemails are checked during business hours only. We do not monitor communications in real time. For anything urgent, always use the crisis resources on our Connect page rather than waiting for a callback. Operational SafeguardsAll patient records are stored within SimplePractice under a HIPAA Business Associate Agreement. Clinical devices are encrypted and password-protected. Access is limited strictly to authorized personnel on a need-to-know basis.All clinical staff complete training on HIPAA compliance, telehealth security, and California confidentiality law. These trainings are completed at onboarding and reviewed regularly.In the event of a data breach affecting your protected health information, PMHS is required to notify you within 60 days of discovery under the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule. We have internal procedures in place to identify, contain, and report any such incident and will never withhold breach information from affected patients. Legal Notice No therapeutic relationship through this website Visiting this site or submitting a form does not create a therapist-patient relationship. Services formally begin only after intake paperwork, informed consent, and scheduling with a licensed or pre-licensed clinician. My Care &rsaquo; Insurance & Fees Insurance &Payment Options. We accept a range of insurance plans. Cost details are always reviewed with you before your first session. Back to My Care Accepted Insurance & Payment What we accept We accept the following insurance plans and payment options for therapy services. Partnership Health Plan of California Medi-Cal Medicare Medi-Medi Private pay (HSA/FSA, credit/debit, or check) Out-of-network superbills available for reimbursement Estimated co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs are reviewed and explained during your intake process before the first session. Don't see your plan? Contact us. Coverage changes frequently and we may be in-network with additional plans not listed here. Understanding Your Costs What to expect Cost details are always reviewed before your first session. Here is what to know in advance. Medi-Cal and Partnership Health Plan patients typically owe no out-of-pocket cost for covered sessions. Private pay rates are shared when you reach out, before your intake session is scheduled. Standard session rates typically range from $100 to $175 per session depending on session type and length. Sliding-scale fees are available based on financial need — ask during intake and we will work with you. Out-of-network patients can request an itemized superbill for possible reimbursement from their insurer. HSA and FSA cards are accepted. Therapy qualifies as an eligible medical expense under most plans. Confirm with your insurer whether preauthorization is required before your first session. Questions about your specific situation? Reach out before your first appointment and we will walk you through it.

What is the difference between a counselor, therapist, and psychologist?

Counselor: master's-level clinician (MSc or MA), licensed as LPCC or registered as APCC in California. Trained in evidence-based talk therapy and mental health treatment. PMHS clinicians hold this credential. Therapist: not a legally protected title in California. It broadly describes LPCCs, LMFTs, and LCSWs. Psychologist: doctoral-level (PhD or PsyD), licensed to diagnose and administer psychological testing. Psychiatrist: a medical doctor whose primary role is medication management, not talk therapy. PMHS clinicians provide licensed master's-level talk therapy. For medication management or psychological testing, we coordinate referrals with appropriate providers.

Does Medicare cover telehealth therapy at PMHS?

Yes. PMHS accepts Medicare and Medi-Medi. Outpatient mental health services delivered via telehealth are a covered benefit under Medicare Part B. Medicare patients are typically subject to a 20% coinsurance after meeting their Part B deductible. Medi-Medi patients may owe nothing if Medi-Cal covers the remaining cost share. We verify your specific benefits during your intake session.

What is a superbill and how do I use it?

A superbill is an itemized receipt containing your diagnosis code, CPT billing codes, session dates, and provider credentials. You submit it to your insurance company to request reimbursement for out-of-network services. PMHS provides superbills to private pay patients upon request. Reimbursement rates and eligibility vary by plan. HSA and FSA cards can also be used to pay for sessions directly.

What does private pay cost?

Private pay rates are shared transparently when you reach out. Rates vary by session type and clinician. Sliding-scale fees are available based on financial need. HSA and FSA cards are accepted. Out-of-network superbills are available upon request.

How long does therapy typically last?

There is no fixed answer. Treatment length depends on your presenting concerns, goals, and progress. Short-term work for a specific issue may resolve in 8 to 16 sessions. Longer-term support for complex or chronic presentations may continue for a year or more. Your clinician will review your treatment goals regularly.

Do you treat children? What is the minimum age?

Yes. PMHS provides therapy for children, teens, and adults. There is no strict minimum age, but telehealth requires a child who can engage meaningfully in a video session. In practice, most child patients are 6 years and older. Patients under 18 require written parental or guardian consent before services begin.

Can both partners be seen individually at PMHS?

Generally, no. When one clinician sees both partners individually, a dual-relationship conflict arises that compromises clinical objectivity and confidentiality for both patients. The standard practice is for each partner to work with a different provider, or for one partner to be seen individually while couples sessions are conducted separately.

What languages do you offer sessions in?

Sessions are currently conducted in English. If you require services in another language, including Spanish, contact us and we will discuss interpreter options or refer you to a bilingual provider. Medi-Cal patients have the right to interpreter services at no cost under California Health and Safety Code Section 1367.04.

What happens if my internet goes out mid-session?

Your clinician will wait briefly, then attempt to reach you by phone to continue by voice or reschedule. A disconnection due to technical failure does not count as a late cancellation and will not result in a fee. Test your connection at doxy.me before each session to reduce the likelihood of disruptions.

Can I join a session from my car or a non-home location?

Yes, as long as you are physically located in California and have a private, stable connection. A parked car with cellular data works well. Avoid public Wi-Fi and any location where you cannot speak freely. Do not join a session while driving.

Is my session ever recorded?

No. Sessions are never recorded without your explicit written consent. Doxy.me does not record by default, and PMHS does not record sessions for any purpose including training or quality review. Written consent would be required before any recording takes place.

What happens to my records if I stop treatment or PMHS closes?

Clinical records are retained for a minimum of seven years from the date of last service under California law, or until a minor patient turns 25, whichever is longer. Records are stored securely in SimplePractice under HIPAA-compliant protocols. You can request your records at any time through the patient portal.

Can my employer find out I am in therapy?

No. Your participation in therapy is protected under HIPAA and California's Confidentiality of Medical Information Act. PMHS will not disclose your information to your employer, family, or any third party without your written authorization. The only exceptions are mandatory reporting obligations outlined in your informed consent.

How do I request my records?

Submit a written records request through the SimplePractice patient portal or by contacting your clinician directly. Under HIPAA, we are required to respond within 30 days. A reasonable fee may apply for copying. Psychotherapy process notes require a separate specific authorization. Progress notes and billing records are accessible upon request.

Therapy Services

Common Sense Therapy.

Our clinicians blend treatment modalities into an integrative approach tailored to each patient's needs.

Last updated: August 2026

Commonly Addressed Issues

What brings people to telehealth therapy

Stress, panic attacks, trauma, PTSD, behavioral issues, life changes, goal-setting and motivation, emotional regulation, coping skills, self-understanding, identity, improving communication, anger management, and couples counseling.

Conditions We Treat

What we treat.

We work with adults, teens, and couples across California on a wide range of mental health conditions. This includes children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and physical disabilities. All care is delivered via telehealth and accepted through Medi-Cal, Partnership HealthPlan, and private pay.

Anxiety & Panic

Generalized anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety, health anxiety, and phobias. Treatment focuses on understanding what drives the worry cycle, reducing avoidance, and building tolerance for uncertainty. Patients learn practical, evidence-based skills they can use between sessions rather than simply talking about symptoms.

Depression & Mood

Major depression, persistent depressive disorder, low motivation, and mood dysregulation. Treatment centers on behavioral activation and cognitive restructuring, rebuilding daily structure and momentum first, then addressing the thought patterns that keep low mood in place. Progress is tracked openly so patients can see change over time.

Personality Disorders

Long-standing patterns in emotions, self-image, and relationships that cause real distress, including borderline, avoidant, and dependent presentations. Treatment draws on DBT-informed skills work and a consistent therapeutic relationship. The focus is on building workable patterns and stability, not labels, and a formal diagnosis is not required to begin.

ADHD

Attention, focus, impulsivity, and executive function challenges in adults and teens. Therapy targets the practical side of ADHD: structure, follow-through, time management, and self-regulation. Patients build systems that fit how their brain actually works instead of fighting it, alongside support for the frustration and self-criticism that often come with it.

Trauma & PTSD

Single-incident trauma, complex PTSD, and adverse childhood experiences. Treated with EMDR, trauma-focused CBT, and stabilization approaches. Work moves at the patient’s pace, beginning with safety and grounding skills before any processing of traumatic material. A formal PTSD diagnosis is not required to begin treatment.

Couples & Relationships

Communication breakdown, conflict cycles, intimacy, and trust repair. Gottman-based and emotionally focused approaches for couples at any stage, from early relationships to long-term partnerships. Sessions focus on identifying the repeating cycle underneath arguments and building concrete communication skills both partners practice between sessions.

Teen & Adolescent

Anxiety, depression, ADHD, identity, school stress, and family conflict in teens aged 12 and older. Care is developmentally informed and delivered via telehealth, a format many teens find easier to open up in. Guardians are involved with consent while the teen’s space in session is protected.

Life Transitions & Stress

Career changes, divorce, relocation, retirement, and other major life adjustments. Therapy provides structure during periods when familiar roles and routines fall away, helping patients build resilience, clarify what matters next, and make decisions from values rather than pressure. Support is practical and grounded in the present.

Co-Occurring Conditions

Overlapping mental health presentations such as anxiety with ADHD, depression with trauma, or mood disorders alongside substance use history. Treatment addresses conditions together rather than in isolation, since symptoms interact and reinforce each other. The plan is sequenced deliberately so work on one area supports, not destabilizes, the other.

Grief & Loss

Bereavement, anticipatory grief, and loss of identity, relationship, or health. Compassionate support through grief without a prescribed timeline or expectation of “moving on.” Sessions make room for the full range of grief responses, including the complicated ones, while helping patients stay connected to daily life and the people still in it.

IDD & Disabilities

Therapy for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and physical disabilities under Medi-Cal. Session pacing, communication style, and structure are adapted to the individual. Our clinician spent five years in direct care with this population before co-founding PMHS.

Caregiver Stress

Burnout, emotional exhaustion, and compassion fatigue in those caring for family members or loved ones. This includes parents of children with IDD, adults supporting family members with intellectual or developmental disabilities, and direct support professionals. Support for sustainable caregiving without losing yourself in the role.

Also Accepting

OCD Work-Related Stress & Burnout Family Conflict Self-Esteem & Identity LGBTQ+ Support Anger Management Substance Use Court-Ordered Therapy Domestic Violence Housing Instability Immigration Stress Financial Stress Eating & Body Image Sleep Issues Postpartum & Perinatal

Treatment Modalities

Our clinical approaches.

Cognitive

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is one of the most rigorously studied and effective forms of therapy available today. It works by identifying the connections between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Patients learn to recognize unhelpful thought patterns, challenge distorted beliefs, and replace them with more balanced perspectives. CBT is active and collaborative, you will practice skills between sessions, not just during them. It is especially effective for anxiety, depression, OCD, and stress-related conditions.

Identify and restructure thought patterns that keep you stuck
Build practical coping skills you can use immediately
Time-limited with measurable, clear goals
Homework and practice deepen progress between sessions

Strength-Based

Solution-Focused Therapy

Rather than dwelling on what went wrong, Solution-Focused Therapy is oriented entirely toward what you want your life to look like, and what is already working.

This approach is ideal for patients who feel stuck or overwhelmed, as it quickly redirects energy toward action and progress. Your therapist will help you identify exceptions, times when the problem was less severe, and amplify those patterns. Sessions tend to be brief, practical, and empowering.

Focus on goals and desired outcomes, not just problems
Identify strengths and resources you already possess
Make small, meaningful changes that build momentum
Well-suited for life transitions and short-term support

Couples

Gottman-Based Couples Therapy

Developed from over 40 years of research on what makes relationships succeed or fail, Gottman Method Couples Therapy is among the most evidence-based approaches to relationship work available.

Treatment begins with a thorough assessment of relationship strengths and challenges. Patients learn to identify and interrupt destructive patterns, such as contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling, and replace them with skills that build friendship, trust, and lasting connection. This approach works for couples at any stage, from early conflict to the edge of separation.

Grounded in decades of peer-reviewed relationship research
Identify and interrupt the Four Horsemen communication patterns
Rebuild fondness, admiration, and emotional safety
Strengthen conflict repair and collaborative problem-solving

Practical

Symptom Reduction & Reality Therapy

Reality Therapy, rooted in Choice Theory, holds that all behavior is purposeful and that we always have more control over our lives than we realize. It is direct, action-oriented, and highly practical.

Patients explore their core psychological needs, belonging, power, freedom, fun, and survival, and examine whether their current behaviors are truly getting those needs met. The WDEP system (Wants, Doing, Evaluation, Plan) gives sessions a clear structure that produces tangible change. This approach is highly effective for patients who want accountability and forward movement rather than extended analysis of the past.

Clarify your core needs and whether current behavior serves them
Use the WDEP framework: Wants, Doing, Evaluation, Plan
Take ownership of choices and build personal accountability
Focus on present behavior and future goals

Mindfulness-Based

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT helps patients develop psychological flexibility, the ability to be present with difficult thoughts and feelings without being controlled by them, while moving toward what matters most.

Rather than fighting or suppressing uncomfortable internal experiences, ACT teaches acceptance and mindful awareness. Patients clarify their deepest values and commit to action aligned with those values, even in the presence of pain or uncertainty. ACT has strong evidence for anxiety, chronic pain, depression, and burnout. It is particularly effective for patients who have tried to think their way out of distress without lasting success.

Practice acceptance of difficult thoughts without being defined by them
Develop mindfulness skills for present-moment awareness
Clarify personal values and live in alignment with them
Build committed action toward a meaningful life

Attachment-Based

Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)

EFT is an attachment-based approach that helps individuals and couples understand the emotional cycles that drive disconnection, and find their way back to security and trust.

EFT maps the negative interaction patterns that keep patients stuck in cycles of conflict, withdrawal, and hurt. By accessing the deeper emotions beneath the surface, fear, grief, longing, patients can express their needs more vulnerably and respond to others with greater empathy. EFT has strong research support for couples, individuals dealing with trauma, and those navigating grief or relational injury.

Identify and interrupt negative emotional cycles in relationships
Access and express deeper primary emotions safely
Build secure, responsive emotional bonds
Effective for individuals, couples, and trauma recovery

Non-Directive

Patient-Centered Therapy

Rooted in the humanistic tradition of Carl Rogers, Patient-Centered Therapy offers a therapeutic relationship built entirely on unconditional positive regard, empathy, and authentic presence.

There is no agenda, no homework, and no predetermined goals imposed from the outside. The patient leads and the therapist follows with genuine curiosity and care. This approach creates a rare space of complete psychological safety, one that allows for deep self-exploration, emotional processing, and organic growth. It is particularly well-suited for patients experiencing depression, grief, identity questions, or those who simply need to be heard without judgment.

You direct the pace, depth, and focus of every session
Built on unconditional acceptance and authentic empathy
Encourages self-discovery without external pressure
Effective for depression, grief, anxiety, and identity work

Trauma-Focused

EMDR Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a highly structured, evidence-based treatment recognized by the WHO and APA as a first-line therapy for trauma and PTSD.

EMDR works by helping the brain reprocess distressing memories that have become stuck, memories that continue to trigger emotional pain, intrusive thoughts, or physical reactions long after the event has passed. Through bilateral stimulation (typically guided eye movements), patients can revisit difficult memories in a controlled, safe environment and allow the brain to process them adaptively. Many patients experience significant relief in fewer sessions than traditional talk therapy alone. EMDR does not require patients to discuss their trauma in detail.

WHO and APA recognized treatment for PTSD and trauma
Does not require detailed verbal retelling of traumatic events
Eight-phase, structured protocol with clearly defined safety checkpoints
Effective for PTSD, grief, phobias, anxiety, and complex trauma

Skills-Based

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT is a comprehensive, evidence-based therapy originally developed for patients experiencing intense emotional pain. Today it is one of the most effective treatments for emotional dysregulation across a broad range of conditions.

DBT teaches four core skill sets: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. The word "dialectical" refers to balancing two goals, accepting yourself exactly as you are, while simultaneously working to change. Patients learn to tolerate distress without acting destructively, regulate overwhelming emotions, and build relationships that work. DBT is particularly effective for patients who feel emotions more intensely than others, or who struggle with impulsive behavior, chronic emptiness, or volatile relationships.

Four skill modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness
Balances radical acceptance with active, committed change
Highly effective for borderline personality disorder, self-harm, PTSD, and eating disorders
Builds long-term resilience, not just crisis management

Narrative

Narrative Therapy

Narrative Therapy is a collaborative, humanistic approach that helps patients separate their identity from their problems, and rewrite the story they tell about themselves and their lives.

Rooted in the belief that people are the experts of their own lives, Narrative Therapy explores how the stories we internalize, about who we are, what we deserve, and what is possible, shape our experiences and choices. Patients work with their therapist to identify "dominant narratives" that may be limiting, harmful, or simply no longer true, and to construct alternative stories that better reflect their values, strengths, and aspirations. This approach is particularly effective for patients who have internalized shame, experienced trauma, navigated cultural or identity-related challenges, or feel defined by a diagnosis or difficult chapter of their life. Narrative Therapy does not pathologize, it externalizes problems and empowers patients to reclaim authorship over their own story.

Separates personal identity from problems, you are not your diagnosis or your struggle
Explores and challenges dominant narratives that limit growth or reinforce shame
Builds alternative, empowering stories grounded in personal values and strengths
Highly effective for trauma, identity work, grief, and cultural or social marginalization

Find the right approach for you.

Knowing the options is the first step. Choosing to act is the next.

Our clinicians are trained across multiple modalities and will tailor an approach to your specific needs. No waitlist. Same-week availability across all 58 California counties.

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