Frequently Asked Questions

Monday through Thursday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Friday, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Open some Saturday mornings. 

Private pay rate for all sessions (including your intake) last 45-53 minutes and is $175 per session. 

For an additional fee, intensive sessions can be scheduled for 1.5 to 3.0 hours. Therapy intensives are for adults and couples only. 

If you are using Aetna or Medicare insurance, the investment of each session will depend on your insurance, deductible, and copay. Our billing team can check your eligibility of benefits. Session length is the same, generally around 45-53 minutes. 

I use my EHR to take payments by credit/debit/HSA card, which is secure and HIPAA compliant.

CareCredit is available for therapy intensives.

I accept Aetna and Optum. I am generally a cash-pay, out-of-network (OON) provider. The No Surprise Act of 2022 mandates that if you are paying out of pocket for services, you are entitled to a good-faith estimate from your healthcare provider. I have partnered with Thrizer, and we can check your OON benefits with any other insurance.

I accept Modern Health EAP in California. 

Yes, I accept Medicare for eligible clients. If you have questions about coverage or getting started, I’m happy to walk you through the process during your consultation.

We’ve partnered with Thrizer to help you save money if you’re using out-of-network mental health benefits through your insurance provider. 

During your intake, I’ll help you verify your eligibility and OON benefits.

If you are in-network with Aetna or Medicare, I have partnered with Desta Billing & Credentialing Services who does the billing for Sierra Oak Counseling Inc. We will check your eligibility of benefits for in-network services prior to starting therapy; in addition, we will be able to file your claims to your insurance.  

Yes, virutal, on-line therapy sessions are available. A secure login link is provided; on the day and time of the appointment, click on that link sent to your email address and we will be connected for the session. 

There are many reasons why a child may need therapy. Some reasons may include, moving to a new home, changing schools, death of a pet. Children may also benefit from therapy if they are experiencing daily worrying, difficulty sleeping, difficulty getting up in the morning to go to school, struggling with peers and making friends, or extreme shyness making it difficult for speech and talking to teachers or peers. Families may experience loss of a loved one, a separation or divorce, or blended family situations in which counseling can be helpful in supporting big emotions. If you have noticed any changes in behaviors, mood,  or the pediatrician, school counselor, psychiatrists, or any other professional you are working with recommends counseling this is an opportunity to schedule a free consult and inquire about additional support. I offer a free 20 minute consultation. Schedule on the website today! 

 Absolutely! I support Early Childhood Mental Health, Birth to age 6 and parent(s). During our time together, I will teach parents what is happening in the brain to better understand behaviors, you will strengthen co-regulation when everyone is feeling overwhelmed, we’ll focus on connection, and I help parents understand development and expectations. Parents also get a snippet of child development theory because knowledge is the key to change! It will be a time of observation, playing, and learning! With over 25 years in early intervention work, I now share this knowledge with you in the therapy room! 

The initial phone consultation is free and lasts 20 minutes. You can ask questions and see if we’re a good fit. This is a no-expectations consult where you can get to know more about the services available, share more about what you are looking for, and ask questions you may have.

Please click the “Schedule Consultation” tab to get started.

If you have an emergency, please cancel within 48 hours of your scheduled appointment. A late fee of $50 is applied for any appointments canceled with less than 48 hours’ notice. Sessions can be canceled directly in your SimplePractice portal or by contacting your therapist directly.

We will try to reschedule appointments within the same week if possible.

If you are ill, you can keep your appointment by doing your session online. Please let your clinician know as soon as you can for a link.

At Sierra Oak Counseling, I see children as young as birth, teens, individuals with developmental delays, and adults. I am trained in modalities geared toward treating a variety of populations. However, all people seeking mental health are part of a larger system: neighborhoods, churches, jobs, families, and we keep this perspective in our therapeutic work together.

I sure do! I take Medicare! I work with women who are 65 and older who may have lost a partner, a pet may have died, or struggling with life changes such as retirement, moving, relationship changes, or medical health anxiety and grief. Book your free consultation today by scheduling here on the website. 

I have a PhD in counselor education and supervision with a master’s degree in special education.

I’m a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), which means I’ve completed 3,000 hours of closely supervised experience after graduate school and passed both the California Law & Ethics Exam and the national clinical exam for professional counselors.

As an LPCC, I’m closely regulated by the California licensing board and must complete continuing education every two years.

I’m also a Certified Grief Educator with 25 years of teaching experience as an infant developmental specialist and special education teacher.

Dogs. I’m partial because I have a dog named Buddy, who is kind and good.

Cats are fun, too, though!