Frequently Asked Questions

I am generally available Monday through Saturday, from 8 am – 7 pm PST. However, session appointments may occur outside normal times on occasion

A typical session generally lasts between 45-50 minutes

Please fill out the contact form or call me at (740) 303-2505 to set up your free initial phone consultation. We will then figure out a time to schedule your first session.

You can pay via PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover cards.

Yes, I primarily offer video or phone sessions as I strive to make my practice available and accessible.

Therapy allows a person to talk about their problems and feelings in a confidential and dependable environment. By talking through our problems, we are better able to understand them ourselves and hopefully, with guidance, better able to make changes to improve our lives.

A therapist is a professional who is trained to listen with empathy. They can help you deal with any negative thoughts and feelings you have and provide objective guidance toward personal understanding and growth.

Typically, therapy sessions are once a week. However, this varies depending on the client and the client’s needs. You may want to meet more frequently or less frequently, which will be discussed during our sessions.

The session is typically guided by what the client wants to discuss. A client can decline to speak about any specific topic.

All information that is disclosed within a session and the written records pertaining to those sessions are confidential and may not be revealed to anyone without written permission; except where disclosure is required by law.

When Disclosure is Required by Law: When there is reasonable suspicion of child, dependent, or elder abuse or neglect; or when a client presents a danger to themselves, to others, to property, or is gravely disabled.

When Disclosure May Be Required: It may be required pursuant to legal proceedings by or against you. If you place your mental status at issue in litigation initiated by you, the defendant may have the right to obtain the psychotherapy records and/or testimony by RT Counseling. In couple and family therapy, or when different family members are seen as individuals, confidentially and privilege do not apply between the couple or among family members. RT Counseling will use their clinical judgment when revealing such information. RT Counseling will not release records to any outside party unless they are authorized to do so by ALL adult family members who were part of the treatment.

Yes, I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, license number 5157.

A Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor must possess a master’s or doctoral degree that has counseling or psychotherapy in content and has had a minimum of 3,000 hours supervised clinical work experience – and has passed a National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam. They are also required by California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to complete 36 continuing education units every two years.

The primary purpose of counseling is to empower the client to deal adequately with life situations, reduce stress, experience personal growth, and make well-informed, rational decisions.

Couples counseling, also called couples therapy, is a type of psychotherapy. Couples counseling helps couples of all types recognize and resolve conflicts and improve their relationships.

Through couples counseling, you can make thoughtful decisions about rebuilding your relationship or going your separate ways.

The convenience of online couple’ counseling can’t be beat – you can attend a session from anywhere in the world, and your partner can be by your side or across the country. The digital format allows for flexibility and comfort that creates a new level of intimacy while providing you the time and space to collect your individual thoughts.

If you are in a crisis or any other person may be in danger, the following resources can provide you with immediate help:

Emergency: 911

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433)
Lifeline Crisis Chat (Online live messaging): http://www.crisischat.org/
Crisis Text Line: Text “START” TO 741-741
Self-Harm Hotline: 1-800-DONT CUT (1-800-366-8288)

It has happened in the past, and it is likely to happen again, though not with every client.

Easy. Both.

I grew up in California and learned to love both.

Particularly now, my love for the mountains has grown, but the beaches have their special place as well.