FAQs - Online & In-Person Psychotherapy in CA

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You receive Sophie's 16 years of professional holistic life coaching experience combined with her psychotherapy training for a unique mental health experience. Her specialization in medical family therapy combined with her medical-legal paralegal analyzing medical records provides her with the acumen to understand medical terminology, impacts and help you navigate health challenges. Her training in numerous holistic practices and evidence-based practices rooted in science provides her with a foundation to support individuals and families. As a guest contributor providing wellness advice to Good Housekeeping, Nylon, Altadena Patch, The New York Times, The MomCo, and Lululemon, Sophie's been a recognized contributor in holistic healing and methods. Throughout Sophie's holistic career she's trained hundreds in: meditation, creative arts, personal growth & development, and healthy communication for parents and children. 

Sophie's experience working with the veteran population provides her with the unique perspective to support those who have endured traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, combat and military disabilities, as well as other medical and mental health conditions. Her trauma-informed approach to counseling provides you with compassionate understanding and gentleness during every session.

Sophie meets you with compassion, honesty, professionalism, and a curious posture. As an active-listener she listens without judgment, and speaks with kindness and honesty.

Your integrative therapy plan is designed to support your mental wellness goals with dynamic modalities like Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Storytelling, Psychodynamic, Play Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Art Therapy, Eco-Psychotherapy, Cinema Therapy, Music Therapy, and Equine Psychotherapy. You'll also receive psychoeducation to strengthen your mental health goals.

You are the expert of your life and you know what works best for you. Sophie's collaborative approach includes a posture of caring curiosity to understand how you process your world, and to learn what matters to you most (your values, goals, relationships). 

Simply speaking holistic means body/mind/spirit/soul health. During your initial assessment with Sophie you'll review your biopsychosocialspiritual well-being. 

Integrative means unify. Sophie unifies different modalities to design a unique plan that'll work best for you. What will work best for you is revealed during your biopsychosocialspiritual assessment. 

*With your written consent and authorization Sophie may collaborate with your other healthcare providers to ensure that your psychotherapy plan complements your other health treatments. 

1. Meet with Sophie in-person at her Pasadena office located in the Pasadena Playhouse District.                

2. Eco-psychotherapy is in-person at a local Pasadena-adjacent botanical garden. 

3. Equine therapy is in-person sessions in Altadena-Pasadena.

4. Telehealth sessions are offered online with flexible times and dates in the convenience of your own space throughout the state of California.

The frequency of therapy sessions is uniquely dependent upon your goals. Your mental health plan will determine your schedule. 

Note: 

*90-minute intensive sessions are available

*Flexible appointments are available for those receiving active medical & fertility treatments. 

• Master of Science, Marriage Family Therapy, Medical Family Therapy specialty, Fuller Theological Seminary
• Certificate, Medical Family Therapy, Fuller Theological Seminary
• Master of Arts, Human Development, Early Childhood Education specialty, Pacific Oaks College
• Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Developmental specialty, University of California, Santa Barbara
• Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MB-CT)
• HEAL™ Model Equine Therapy
• Narrative Therapy
• Psychodynamic
• Career Counseling
• Suicide Prevention
• Motivational Interviewing
• Eco-psychotherapy
• Mindfulness  Communication
• Guided Meditation Therapy
• Psychological First Aid
• LAUSD high school psychotherapist
• California Registered Associate Marriage Family Therapist #154070
• Supervised by Samuel Gonzalez, LMFT, Stan Rushing, LMFT
• Early Childhood Education Teacher

RATES - Individual Therapy Adults, Adolescents (12-17yrs) 

$200/1hr Appointment 

$300/1.5hr Appointment

$200/1hr Eco-Psychotherapy

$300/hr Equine psychotherapy

$300/1hr Urgent Appointment*

A one-time reduced rate is available for New and First Time Clients

Sliding Scale appointments available (limited availability)

Your Right to Good Faith Estimate

Under the Federal No Surprises Act (H.R. 133 – effective January 1, 2022), you have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services., health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. 

• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees. 
• Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. 
• If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. 
• Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. 

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises

Cancellation Policy 

Sophie understands that "life happens" and has a Cancellation Policy for those times.  Because psychotherapy requires regularly scheduled appointments for best results the time reserved for you means someone else is unable to receive mental health support at that time.  Thus, Weekly clients are allowed 3 free cancellations every 6 months, and bi-weekly clients are allowed 2 free cancellations every 6 months, beginning from the date of your first session.  After this, you will be responsible for payment for your normally scheduled session time for all cancelled appointments, regardless of whether you attend or not. 

You may always choose to reschedule and/or take sessions virtually to accommodate occasional scheduling conflicts as often as needed within 24hrs. Rescheduled sessions are subject to availability.

Telephone Accessibility Policy

If you need to contact me between sessions, please leave a voicemail message. My voicemail cannot be used as an emergency service. If I am not immediately available, I will attempt to return your call within 48hrs (excluding weekends). If a true emergency situation arises, please call 911 or any local emergency room or Urgent Care. 

I return text messages between the hours of 12pm-6pm (excluding weekends). Please note, if you text me, please do not assume I have received it and text me again or give me a call if you have not heard back from me within 72hrs. 

*Urgent Appointment 

An Urgent Appointment is an appointment that is an additional same-day or same-week appointment requested outside of your regularly scheduled appointment. The Urgent Appointment is subject to availability and its rate is $300/hr.

Let’s talk about what you need right now.