Frequently Asked Questions
How does therapy work?
Therapy is a form of self-care where you meet with a trained professional Psychologist or Therapist who you do not already know to discuss things you are going through in an emotionally safe and private environment. Each course of treatment is unique, and is based on an individual’s specific needs. Many clients participate in weekly sessions initially and discuss meeting less frequently as challenges resolve and symptoms improve. Some people partake in short-term therapy for a few sessions to address a specific area of concern, while others engage in long-term therapy for many sessions to address complex challenges, multiple treatment goal areas, or to work on ongoing personal growth.
What can therapy help with?
In many ways, you get out of therapy what you put into it. For some, psychotherapy can result in a number of benefits including assisting you to manage symptoms, explore challenges, accomplish goals, gain insight, improve relationships, and develop adaptive methods of coping in a supportive environment. Your investment in your treatment, including discussion of your goals, explorations of difficult feelings and past experiences, practicing things you’ve learned in therapy between sessions, talking to your therapist about what helps and does not help you, consistency in your visits, as well as your openness and honesty during this process will largely determine how much can be gained from therapy. Many people find it helpful to take notes or keep a journal of the skills, tools and insights learned during therapy to help with applying and practicing them in the future.
Can Dr. Abel see me for Telehealth in a state other than California?
Dr. Abel is licensed as a Psychologist in the state of California and can offer services only to California residents. Conveniences of providing Telehealth (remote) services allow for more scheduling flexibility, reduce inconveniences of transportation, and allow Dr. Abel to provide therapy to individuals who reside anywhere in the state of California.
How do I know if a Psychologist is a good fit for me?
If a Psychologist or Therapist is a good fit for you, you will feel heard and understood by them. They will give you their full attention and be emotionally and mentally present with you during your time together. You will also be treated with compassion, warmth, and understanding. They will create a safe space for you to truly exist as you are, while also providing supportive feedback to challenge you and promote growth in your treatment goal areas. If you are with a Psychologist who is a good fit, you will experience progress including symptom reduction, improved coping, gains in self-awareness, and feeling more equipped for the challenges life offers. A healthy therapeutic relationship will also encourage and honor your personal feedback and reactions to the therapist, including a consideration of what your needs are in therapy and whether they are being met.
How do I get started with Therapy?
Step 1 Contact Dr. Abel: Call, email, or message us for a free brief phone consultation to share your needs and see if Dr. Abel could be a good fit for you.
Step 2 Schedule & Coverage: Schedule a tentative intake session, receive an email to set up your client portal, and submit preliminary personal and financial/insurance forms through your portal.
Step 3 Coverage Confirmation & Intake Paperwork: Receive an email informing that your financial information/insurance coverage is approved and that intake paperwork is ready for you to complete through your portal. Complete all intake paperwork at least 24 hours prior to your intake session to finalize your upcoming appointment.
Step 4 Your Assessment Visit: Log into your client portal at least 5 minutes prior to your initial intake session and meet Dr. Abel to start your healing journey together! The intake session is an assessment visit where your clinician will ask you a variety of questions to understand you better, you will review intake paperwork and office policies, discuss future scheduling preferences, and collaborate to develop your treatment goals together. The next visit will be your first psychotherapy session.
What does Confidentiality mean in Psychotherapy?
In psychotherapy, “confidentiality” refers to a client’s right to privacy. This means the things that you say in therapy will stay between you and your Psychologist, including the fact that you participate in therapy, except under specific emergency circumstances, or conditions mandated by California and/or Federal law.
Some situations where you may no longer have confidentiality include:
Danger to Self: Any “reasonable suspicion” that a client is in serious danger of harming themselves (i.e., suicidal intent, grave disability), this may require actions to protect a client’s life.
This may include, but is not limited to: notifying police, emergency paramedics, or others who may provide protection, and/or facilitating welfare checks or hospitalization if needed.
Danger to Others: Any “reasonable suspicion” that a client is threatening serious bodily harm to someone may require a “duty to protect or warn” the intended victim(s) based on the Tarasoff law.
This disclosure may include, but is not limited to: notifying the police, notifying potential victims and/or facilitating hospitalization if needed.
Child, Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse: If there is any “reasonable suspicion” that a child, older person (65 years old or above), or a dependent adult is being harmed, including suspected: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, or neglect, or in the case of any suspected accessing of “obscene” content with sexual conduct of children:
This may legally require filing a report with the appropriate social service agency.
Other Situations: 1) Disclosure to insurance companies or third party payers for payment for services. (If you use insurance to cover costs for services the insurance agency will require your diagnosis and may also be entitled to more detailed information about you and your treatment to substantiate the type and necessity of services provided) ; 2) Workers’ Compensation claims; 3) Court-ordered evaluation or treatment; 4) Certain litigation processes (i.e. therapy records or testimony may be required of me by court order); 5) Medical emergencies; 6) Managed care or collection agency involvements; 7) U.S.A. Patriot Act of 2001 (to prevent future acts of terrorism the FBI can subpoena and require access to any requested records without client knowledge); and 8) Client can request and provide written consent in advance authorizing a Psychologist’s communication with a specified medical physician or specialist regarding their care.