Hero Faq

FAQ

How do I get started?

Contact me through the contact form or email lindsay@wellbeingstherapy.com to set up a free 20-minute phone consultation to see if we would be a good fit.

Do you have an office or offer video or phone sessions?

I’m only offering video telehealth sessions to California residents. Telehealth provides convenience and flexibility, making it easier to prioritize therapy in a busy world. I do not conduct phone sessions unless you are experiencing technical difficulties.

Note: I can only offer telehealth to those physically within California during our session, and I will always need to know your address in case of an emergency. If you are traveling outside of California, we must cancel our session.

How much does it cost?

My rate is $200 per 50-minute session. I also offer an introductory package of 4 sessions for $700, which includes a comprehensive assessment and personalized extras like suggested reading materials, coping strategies, and homework assignments to jumpstart your therapeutic journey.

After the introductory package, you can opt for a bundle of 10 sessions for $1750. This package provides a structured approach, allowing us to work consistently towards your specific goals over time. While it offers savings, the primary purpose is to support your progress with clarity and commitment. At the end of the 10 sessions, we’ll reassess your progress and decide the best next steps – whether that’s continuing, adjusting or concluding therapy.

I have partnered with Mentaya to help clients use their out-of-network benefits to save money on therapy. Click here to see if you qualify for reimbursement for my services.

Do you accept insurance?

I am an out-of-network provider for insurance. I can provide you with the necessary documentation (i.e., a superbill) to submit for out-of-network benefits. Alternatively, you can use a billing service like Mentaya, which I’ve partnered with to make the reimbursement process easier. Mentaya handles the paperwork for you and helps maximize your out-of-network benefits.

Click here to see if you qualify for reimbursement for my services.

Many clients choose not to involve their insurance providers. Here are some advantages: You won’t have a diagnostic label permanently attached to your health record. Your records are protected, so the insurance company cannot get all your personal information. Lastly, the insurance company does not dictate your care, which is often short-term solution-focused care. Instead, our work will be decided between you and me.

How long are the sessions, and how often would we meet?

Sessions are usually 50 minutes long, but I will extend them to 55 minutes if necessary to wrap things up.

The standard practice for therapy is a weekly meeting. I highly recommend this until you’ve made some progress. Once that happens, we can discuss reducing it to biweekly. At a bare minimum, I require 4-6 weekly sessions to get started and to be seen at least once a month. 

I also offer EMDR Intensives, which range from 2-4 hours per session. These extended sessions are ideal for clients looking to dive deeper into processing trauma or specific issues in a focused, accelerated manner. They’re also a great option for clients with busy schedules who may find it difficult to commit to weekly or biweekly sessions.

Can I cancel an appointment? Do you have a cancellation policy?
Yes, you will not receive a late fee charge if you give me 24 hours’ notice or by 6 pm the day before our session. I charge a $75 fee if you are a no-show or cancel too close to our scheduled appointment. I require my clients to be seen once per month at a minimum for liability purposes.
What payment methods do you accept?
I accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Diner’s Club, and JCB. Payment also includes HSA (health savings account) cards and FSA (flex savings account cards). HSA and FSA cards must have a Visa, Discover, Mastercard, or American Express logo on the card.
With whom do you work?
I work primarily with adult clients of all ages and genders. I sometimes work with older teens as well.
Is there anyone who you won't see?

It is my ethical duty to ensure I can help you. Just like doctors, therapists can choose to become specialists on specific issues. If I am not the right therapist for you, I will refer you to another clinician.

The following is a list of specialties that I may refer to another clinician: addiction counselors or programs (if you are early in your recovery journey and need extra support), eating disorder specialists if your disordered eating is considered severe (I do work with mild to moderate levels of disordered eating); neurodivergent specialists including ADHD and Autism Spectrum clients that want to make that their primary focus of treatment and psychiatrists for medication management since I do not prescribe medication.

What are your opinions on medication?

Medication has its place and can be an excellent tool for certain circumstances. Most of my clients want to work toward getting off or not having to start medication. In those cases, we want to give therapy a solid chance to work (about six months), and if little progress occurs, we may revisit the conversation about medication as an option for you.

However, I have worked with several clients who were once on medication and now are no longer in need of it.

I've been diagnosed with something (i.e., bipolar disorder) that I don't resonate fully with – will you help me with that?

Yes! I often work with people who have a history of being hospitalized or in treatment facilities. In these medically focused settings, people frequently leave with diagnoses they disagree with. As a trauma-focused therapist, my top priority is to treat your trauma. We have so much knowledge now about how trauma impacts the brain and nervous system – how it can manifest as different diagnoses when left untreated.

My philosophy is – let’s treat the trauma and see what’s left after that. Some people do have more sensitive systems and were born with a propensity toward experiencing certain emotional states outside of the stress or trauma they endured. We will be mindful of that as we work together.

Do I have to tell you everything?

In short, no. Especially if we are doing EMDR and reprocessing particularly vivid and challenging memories, you do not have to share every detail if you don’t want to.

Nothing will shock me at this point in my career, so it should be because you would rather keep it to yourself and not because you fear I will judge you or not be able to handle it.

Honesty is essential in our work together because if I don’t know the truth about your history, thoughts, feelings, etc., it will be hard for me to help you and could prevent you from the kind of transformative story you seek. However, I know it takes time to earn your trust, so I am patient. You may decide to wait to share something important with me until you feel comfortable, and that’s okay!

Do you take notes?

Yes. I like to keep track of essential details. In session, I have a separate screen where I type short notes. I try to do this discreetly, but please let me know if you find it distracting!

I have two separate places where I keep my notes. In your actual chart, I keep straightforward, vague notes that, by law, I must release if subpoenaed. On the side, I keep more detailed notes to keep track of things you want to work on, names of people you mention, and what happened in your sessions so I can remind you the following session of some things that came up and what action steps we are taking to meet your goals.

How long have you been in practice?
I have been in practice for about 15 years. I graduated with my master’s in clinical psychology in 2012. Since then, I have continued to expand my knowledge to offer cutting-edge therapy approaches.
What types of therapy do you use?

My therapeutic approach involves a holistic perspective that integrates traditional evidence-based methods with elements drawn from various wellness and spiritual practices. I specialize in trauma-focused attachment-based therapies, which allows me to work on in-utero and pre-verbal traumas.

I am an EMDRIA-Certified EMDR Therapist and Approved Consultant. Additionally, I am a Certified Integrative Body Psychotherapist and focus on inviting the connection between mind and body into my work using this somatic therapy approach.

I have received training in using Ego State Therapies such as Internal Family Systems, some referred to as Inner Child Work or Parts Work. Additionally, I have training in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Reflective Parenting, and Solution-Focused Coaching. Other orientations I pull from include Psychodynamic, Gestalt, Transpersonal, and Existential therapy.

What can I expect in trauma-focused therapy?

You can expect that I will focus on understanding the complex and nuanced effects of trauma on anyone I work with.

During sessions, I will help you identify any beliefs, emotions, and body sensations directly related to the traumatic or adverse life events and relationships you have experienced. I will help you uproot what keeps you stuck from moving forward in your healing journey. Working through your past is a step toward a better future, and my goal is to help you understand and work through your life trauma.

What is considered trauma? Do I have that?

Many people feel what they went through wasn’t that bad or couldn’t be considered trauma, but trauma is part of the human experience, and I believe that everyone has experienced trauma in some way.

For example, trauma can be an adverse life event such as bullying, natural disasters, domestic violence, serious accidents/illnesses/medical conditions, or losing a loved one or pet. It can also be a history of neglect or physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological abuse.

I often work with people who had caregivers who struggled with addiction, personality disorders, and mental illness and had a trauma history that was unresolved and untreated. Caregivers who provided conditions to their love, withdrew affection, or simply could not stay regulated and present when you were upset can also be considered an attachment trauma.

Is EMDR therapy effective online?

Online EMDR therapy has become routine for many EMDR therapists and clients. Research is beginning to support what EMDR therapists are seeing in their practice: good clinical outcomes. Research to prove the effectiveness of EMDR therapy online is still coming out. Initial studies suggest that yes, EMDR therapy is not only a viable option for in-person therapy but has resulted in substantial mental health improvements when used online. Feel free to check out the research here.

I also use a specialized platform called EMDR Remote, which allows me to administer the audio tones and eye movements directly through your computer screen, ensuring the same therapeutic experience as in person.

Are you one of those therapists who will sit, nod, and agree with me?
Not at all! The therapies I have trained in are interactive, experiential, and directive. I find this approach helps people feel safe and supported because they can trust me to have something to say and do in every session. You can trust I have a plan – all you must do is show up!
Have you been in therapy yourself?

Yes! It has been a vital part of my healing and given me great insight into what I liked and did not like in my experiences as a client. I genuinely believe I can only take you as far as I have taken myself.

What should I bring to the session?
I recommend ensuring you have some items to ground and anchor you throughout the session. Some ideas include your favorite drink, lotion, candle, fidget toy, blanket, or anything that helps you stay present, connected, and calm.
Do you give out homework?
I do not require homework; however, some clients can expedite their process by doing work outside the session. Often, this looks like basic self-care practices such as showering, eating healthy and regularly, prioritizing sleep, moving your body, getting some sunlight, and using nervous system regulating exercises I will share with you. However, I can give homework, especially if you are a client who wants to accelerate your progress or can only attend sessions biweekly.
Should I wear waterproof mascara?
My recommendation is nothing at all, personally! But you do you! Please come to therapy as you are, and above all, be comfortable and be yourself!
Cats or dogs?

I am a huge animal lover! Although I love dogs, I now have two cats, Prince and Levi. Growing up, we had pet dogs, cats, mice, rats, lizards, and hamsters. It was indeed an animal house, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way!