Contact Us and FAQs

Contact Us

FAQ

What is therapy with Georgie like?

Therapy is simply a conversation and a connection between two human beings. You can talk about anything on your mind--and I mean anything! I may check in about things from a previous session, but I do not come into session with an agenda. I consider our sessions your time and space, and you can use it however you'd like! Sometimes it is helpful to think about what you might want to talk about between our sessions, some people make a list, others may come in and decide what feels most important to talk about and see where that leads our talk. I also encourage you to think about what you might be avoiding. If there's something specifically difficult to bring up, I sometimes suggest we start there if you are having a hard time deciding what to discuss. If we are working on EMDR, we will probably check in at the beginning of each appointment to see if you're feeling like it would be a good fit for our time that day or if you would like to use the time to talk.

As a therapist, my goal is to provide a safe space for self-exploration, whether that is gender-related or not. I have training in supporting people in many areas and aspects of life beyond gender. Sometimes people believe my focus on the trans and nonbinary communities indicates that I am only able to help with topics relevant to gender. I have worked with several diverse populations with a wide variety of concerns and goals for therapy. Gender is very rarely the only concern in someone's life, and sometimes gender is not a topic they wish to address in therapy. It is completely okay to work with me on anything you'd like.

What is therapy with AJ like?

As your therapist, I am primarily interested in what it is that YOU would like to focus on—that may be different topics from session to session, or it could be centered around a particular issue that we explore together. I want you to feel that we can discuss anything that is coming up for you, as this is your space to use however will be most beneficial for you. My approach is grounded in openness, curiosity, and presence, while my sense of humor, warmth, and candor help build supportive connections and foster honest communication.  I look forward to working with you as you navigate your path.

What is therapy with Mari like?

Therapy with me is whatever you choose to make it. My practice can, if desired, consist of arts-based work, such as dance, movement, drama, writing, art, and music, alongside talk therapy. As a Registered Dance/Movement Therapist with a background in all forms of art as therapy, I

know the benefits of having the arts as a force of connection, especially when words don’t come easily or are too much at the time.

My goal in the therapeutic relationship is to find a place of grounding and connection - a space in which you can feel comfortable enough to share what’s on your mind while also challenging yourself to push beyond what you have in the past, to work through traumatic experiences and come to a place of balance. This balance can be between you and yourself, you and others in your life, you and your mental illness, you and your workplace, and so on. 

Creating connections, I find, is one of my greatest strengths. Being able to create space that we, in the client-therapist dynamic, can join together and aid you on your journey to healing, recovery, equilibrium, or whatever words you choose to describe the place you want to be, is the most important thing to me. This place is yours, and being therapist-as-guide is my biggest honor.

What are your fees?

My standard fee is $160 per 45-50 minute session. My associates' (AJ and Mari) standard fee is $130 per 45-50 minute session. We take debit and credit cards, as well as HSA/FSA cards. You are also welcome to pay in cash or check if necessary, however card payments are most preferred.

We all offer a "sliding scale" (lower fee) for those who have financial need. Please let us know if this is something that could be helpful for you.

Do you take insurance?

Our practice does not take insurance and we are not pursuing becoming an "in-network provider" for any insurance panels. Some of us may be able to provide a "superbill" as documentation of payment via HSA/FSA card, and it can also serve to be to be reimbursed as an "out of network," or OON provider if you have a PPO (not an HMO or MediCal). More information on how this works can be provided, however the best course of action is to contact your insurance company and ask the following questions:

• How much does my plan reimburse for an out-of-network provider?/ What percentage of the fee will I be reimbursed?

• How will I be reimbursed?

• Is approval required from my primary care physician?

• What is my deductible and has it been met?

• What is the coverage amount per therapy session?

• Are there any restrictions regarding the type of therapy or the practitioner’s credentials?

• Are there any other restrictions I should know about, or any other questions I should be asking?

If I am seeking a letter for hormones or surgery or other medical transition steps, do you provide this? What does that process look like?

I write letters in session with my clients. I can write a letter during our first session if you are only seeking a letter and not ongoing therapy. I write letters for ongoing clients as well, whenever the need arises. My letter writing process is simple and straightforward. I have a template that is about a page long, and it essentially allows me to "fill in the blanks," which I will ask your input on as we read through the letter together. The writing process usually takes about 20-25 minutes. When we are done, I will send you a PDF of the completed letter so you can submit it to any doctor or insurance company. I have rarely had a letter rejected by an insurance company. I am aware some doctors have specific requirements as well. Typically, my letters already cover all the necessary types of information, but if you do need an edited letter for any reason, please contact me and I will edit the file and resend it to you. If it has been over a year since we wrote our letter together, or you need a letter for a different medical transitioning step, I will require an "update" session to clarify and re-date the letter. 

I require anyone who sees me to fill out my forms and paperwork, which must be done and sent in before our first session. My standard fee is $160 per 45-50 minute session, and I offer a reduced fee based on financial need.

What does LPCC mean? How is it different from other mental health providers and credentials?

I am registered as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC #9136) in the State of California. This is different from a Licensed Marriage/Couple and Family Therapist (LMFT) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). All three of these licenses are Master's-level therapists, and they all may use many of the same techniques and tools within the therapeutic relationship. However, each of them vary slightly in regards to their training and "lens" to therapy. LMFTs look at an individual in relation to the family, working on interpersonal dynamics, and view people within the context of their relationships in their life. Their training requires specific "relational" hours to hone their skills in working with more than one individual in the therapeutic setting. LCSWs approach clients with the view that individuals are within the context of a society that creates need for support in gaining access to resources within the community.  LCSWs have "case management" experience they must gain in order to learn to connect clients to resources to better equip them in their struggles. LPCCs are newer to California and are therefore much less prevalent and less understood than LMFTs and LCSWs. LPCCs look at clients through a more holistic, wellness lens, and focus on the individual with a strengths-based view. Although LPCCs are qualified to diagnose their clients, they may stay away from doing this as this is a "medical" model that looks at what is going "wrong," rather than a wellness lens which asks "What is going right?"

Before becoming licensed with the above credentials, one must accrue a minimum of 3000 hours of "supervised" experience over at least 2 years. Supervised experience means working closely with an experienced therapist essentially as an "apprentice." Along the way an exam on law and ethics must be passed, and a clinical exam is taken after the 3000 hours have been collected.

You may find this information helpful as well: California Association for LPCCs.

If you have further questions about my training or experience, please let me know.

What does ASW mean? 

I (AJ) am a registered Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW #112217) in the State of California. As a pre-licensed Associate, I am currently working toward my LCSW licensure under the supervision of Georgie Kelly, LPCC #9136. According to the NASW (National Association of Social Workers) Best Practice Standards in Social Work Supervision, “Supervision encompasses several interrelated functions and responsibilities. Each of these interrelated functions contributes to a larger responsibility or outcome that ensures clients receive competent and ethical services from professional social workers. During supervision, services received by the client are evaluated and adjusted, as needed, to increase the benefit to the client. It is the supervisor’s responsibility to ensure that the supervisee provides competent, appropriate, and ethical services to the client.” During my MSW (Master in Social Work) program I completed two separate placements and have post-graduate counseling experience as well. For more information on what is required to become a registered ASW with California, please check out: https://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/forms/lcs/aswapp.pdf

What is APCC?

An APCC is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor. This means that I (Mari) have graduated from an accredited Master’s program and am working towards my clinical licensure hours to become licensed in the state of California. I have completed all necessary coursework, and am working under a supervisor, meeting with them at least once a week, to accomplish all of my needed clinical counselor hours. After at least 2 years, I will be able to sit for the licensure exam and have my own license!

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has been proven effective, not only for trauma treatment, but can also treat other symptoms and distressing elements of your life. The following text is from the EMDR Institute: 

"When a disturbing event occurs, it can get locked in the brain with the original picture, sounds, thoughts, feelings, and body sensations. EMDR procedures seem to stimulate the information and allow the brain to reprocess the experience. That may be what is happening in REM or dream sleep. The eye movements help reprocess the memory and other associated experiences. It is your own brain that will be doing the healing, and you are the one in control."

If you are interested in or curious about EMDR, please ask! I am more than happy to answer any questions about it or have us try it out if you are a client, new or continuing. I truly believe in the power of EMDR and I hope to share that healing experience with you. Currently, Georgie is the only therapist in the practice that offers EMDR.