Frequently Asked Questions

Do you accept insurance?

I am an out-of-network provider and do not bill insurance directly. If your insurance plan includes out-of-network mental health benefits and your treatment is medically necessary, I can provide a superbill for you to submit for possible reimbursement. Please note that insurance companies generally require a mental health diagnosis to reimburse psychotherapy services.

Do you offer reduced-fee therapy?

Yes. I offer a limited number of reduced-fee appointments. If cost is preventing you from starting therapy, please ask about my sliding fee scale.

What should I expect during the consultation?

The free consultation is a chance for us to briefly discuss what's bringing you to therapy, answer your questions, and see if we're a good fit. There is no pressure or obligation to schedule.

Do you use AI during therapy?

Yes. With your informed consent, I use HIPAA-compliant AI documentation software to assist with clinical documentation. This allows me to spend less time typing and more time focused on you during our sessions. AI is never used to provide therapy or make clinical decisions. We'll discuss this before treatment begins, and I'll confirm your consent throughout our work together. You're never required to agree. If you're uncomfortable with AI-assisted documentation, I completely respect your decision. In that case, I may not be the right therapist for you, and I'm happy to provide referrals to clinicians whose practice better fits your preferences.

What if I'm not sure therapy is right for me?

That's okay. Many people reach out because they know something doesn't feel right but aren't sure where to begin. You don't need to have everything figured out before the first session.

What happens in the first session?

The first appointment is about understanding what's bringing you to therapy, learning about your experiences, and identifying what you'd like to change. Together, we'll develop goals that fit your needs.

How long does therapy usually last?

Every person is different. Some people benefit from brief therapy, while others choose longer-term therapy. We'll regularly check in about your progress and decide together what feels most helpful.

What is your cancellation policy?

Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours' notice may be charged the full session fee, except in emergencies.

Is therapy confidential?

Yes. Everything we discuss is confidential except in situations where I am legally required to break confidentiality, such as concerns about immediate safety or suspected abuse of a child, dependent adult, or elder.

What is the Four Foundations framework?

The Four Foundations (King, Warrior, Magician, and Lover) are one framework I use to help men understand different areas of growth. They are not a diagnosis or a set of rules about how men should be. They're simply one way of exploring strengths, challenges, and personal development alongside evidence-based therapy.

Do I have to be "good at talking" to come to therapy?

Not at all. You don't need the right words or a perfect explanation. If all you know is that something doesn't feel right anymore, that's enough. We'll figure it out together.

Do I have to be a man or identify as gay to work with you?

No. While my practice focuses on men's mental health and I specialize in working with gay men and LGBTQ+ clients, everyone is welcome.

Earlier in my career, I spent several years working primarily with women, and that experience continues to shape how I understand relationships, trauma, identity, and the many roles people navigate throughout life.

Whether you're a man, woman, nonbinary, straight, gay, bisexual, or questioning, what matters most is whether you feel my approach is the right fit for you.

Can we talk about sex, kink, or relationships?

Absolutely. Sex, intimacy, relationships, and kink are all welcome topics in therapy. You don't need to censor yourself or worry about shocking me. My goal is to provide a respectful, affirming space where you can talk openly about the parts of your life that matter most.

Can we talk about religion or politics?

Absolutely. Therapy is a place where difficult conversations are welcome. If religion, politics, or current events are affecting your life, relationships, identity, or well being, we can absolutely talk about them.

My job isn't to convince you what to believe or to share my personal opinions. My role is to help you better understand yourself, make decisions that align with your values, and navigate challenges in a way that feels authentic to you.

You don't have to share my views. You don't even have to know what they are for us to work well together. Respect, curiosity, and a willingness to engage honestly are far more important than agreement.

What if we're not a good fit?

Finding the right therapist matters. If I believe another provider would better meet your needs, or if our therapeutic relationship can no longer be maintained in a safe and respectful way, I'll discuss this with you and, when appropriate, provide referrals. To maintain a safe environment for everyone, I may end services if there is repeated verbal abuse, harassment, threats, discrimination, or other behavior that interferes with treatment or creates an unsafe therapeutic relationship.

What if I need a higher level of care?

My practice is designed for outpatient therapy. If I believe you would benefit from a higher level of care, we'll discuss it together and, when appropriate, I'll help connect you with the right services. This may include an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), residential treatment, inpatient care, substance use treatment, or other specialized services. My goal is to help you receive the level of care that best supports your safety and recovery.

What if we see each other in public or online?

Because I provide telehealth throughout California, it's possible we may cross paths at a restaurant, Pride event, community gathering, leather or kink event, or on dating or social networking apps.

If we see each other in person, I won't approach you first in order to protect your privacy. If you choose to say hello, I'm happy to say hello back and briefly chat.

If we encounter each other online or on a dating or social networking app, I won't initiate contact or respond through that platform. To maintain clear professional boundaries, I may ignore or block profiles associated with current clients. This isn't personal. It's one way I protect your privacy and the therapeutic relationship.

I believe therapists can be active members of their communities while maintaining clear professional boundaries. My goal is to create a space where you can seek therapy without feeling like either of us has to hide who we are.

Can a therapist date or have a sexual relationship with a client?

No. Professional ethics prohibit therapists from engaging in romantic or sexual relationships with current clients. These boundaries exist to protect you and preserve the integrity of the therapeutic relationship. My role is to provide a safe, respectful, and professional space where you can explore relationships, dating, sexuality, and intimacy without those boundaries ever becoming blurred. For more information about professional boundaries, please see the California Department of Consumer Affairs publication: Professional Therapy Never Includes Sex