Psychotherapy is a transformative process designed to help individuals understand and resolve their emotional, behavioral, and mental health issues through communication with another person trained in meaningful and intentional conversation. At its core, therapy provides a safe, confidential, and supportive environment where you can explore your feelings, beliefs, and behaviors, work through challenging or influential memories, identify aspects of your life that you would like to change, better understand yourself and others, set personal goals, and work toward desired change. Therapy allows you to both “zoom out” and see the overarching patterns you are otherwise embroiled in, as well as “zoom in” to moments and core beliefs you may not have realized had such a significant meaning or impact.

A therapist is a skilled listener with specialized training in assessing human thoughts and behaviors. They can help you approach your situation in a new way—teach you new skills, gain different perspectives, listen to you without judgment or expectations, and help you listen to yourself. Furthermore, therapy is a collaborative effort. While therapists provide expertise, you are the expert on your own life. Together, you work to find solutions and increase resilience.

YES! There are s many valid reasons that people feel ambivalent about starting therapy, such as stigma, cultural beliefs, cost, concerns about becoming dependent on therapy, and doubt about whether or not it will “work.” You might feel hopeful about the possibility of change while also feeling uncertain, skeptical, or even fearful about the process and what it might reveal.

Remember that therapy is a personal journey and entering into it isn’t a commitment to continue indefinitely. It’s a space for you to explore at your own pace, and you can always reevaluate your participation in the process. Your readiness to change and explore yourself is a critical part of what makes therapy work, so acknowledging and discussing your ambivalence is not only okay but can be a crucial first step in your therapeutic journey.

That is TOTALLY ok! It’s completely normal to feel unsure about what to talk about during your therapy sessions, especially if you are new to therapy or don't have a specific issue that prompted you to seek help. Remember, it's okay to share these feelings of uncertainty with your therapist. In fact, expressing that you’re unsure where to start can be a great beginning point. Sometimes, not knowing what to talk about can itself reveal insights into feelings of confusion, aimlessness, or other underlying emotions that can be explored. Trust the therapeutic process, and remember that your therapist is there to support you through these moments. They are trained to guide conversations in a direction that is helpful. They use their expertise to ask the right questions that help you uncover and articulate your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.

First, you will send us a message using our online contact form, which can be found here. If you already know which therapist you are interested in working with, please indicate that on your form. If you need assistance in choosing a therapist or do not have a preference, you will be contacted by our intake coordinator, who will recommend and connect you with one of our therapists.

Once you are connected to a therapist, you will have a complimentary 15-minute consultation with them. During this consultation you can ask questions and chat briefly in order to see if it feels like a fit before scheduling your first session. You will then be sent some intake paperwork to fill out and return before your first session.

Your first session will feel more like an intake session. Your therapist will review your paperwork and office policies and ask you some questions to get a better sense of your history, goals, and experience. You will collaboratively lay the groundwork for what your unique and tailored treatment will look like.

From here you will meet weekly with your therapist to continue working towards your goals and developing a safe, productive, and supportive space in which to gain insight and awareness, heal past wounds, shift your perspective, and obtain skills for a more manageable life.

The relationship between a client and their therapist is one of the most important elements of successful treatment. Especially if it is your first time seeking therapy, you may not know what to look for or what questions to ask, and that is OKAY! It is important to us that you find the right fit, so we are here to help guide you through the process.

We recommend reading through the bios of our diverse selection of therapists here. If you are still unsure of how to decide, or don’t see what you are looking for, we recommend setting up a complimentary call with our intake coordinator, who can answer your questions and help identify the best fit, whether that is one of our therapists or a qualified outside referral. Book a call with our intake coordinator here.

Additionally, we understand that not everyone finds the right fit on the first try. Your decision does not have to be permanent! All of our therapists welcome and encourage feedback. Please feel free to communicate if you need something different frem your therapist or would like to be transferred to someone else.

Yes! We understand the diverse needs of our clients when it comes to scheduling, distance, health, and safety. It is also common for our clients to choose telehealth simply for the convenience.

We offer phone and video sessions throughout California via a HIPAA-compliant service such as Zoom. The only requirement is that you have a safe and private setting and reliable internet or phone connection.

We also offer in-person sessions at our Echo Park office.

Fees vary depending on experience and training of each therapist. Full fees range from $150-225 for associate therapists, and $225-285 for licensed therapists. See our list of fees here.

A limited number of sliding scale spots are available with each therapist and are based on need, as well as therapist availability.

We understand that therapy is an investment. For this reason, we highly encourage a complimentary call with our intake coordinator so that we can help clarify your options. Schedule a call here.

While we do not currently accept insurance, we are happy to provide you with a monthly statement of services rendered (a superbill) if you wish to seek reimbursement from your insurance company.

It is advisable to contact your insurance company prior to the first session if you are seeking third party reimbursement and ask the following questions:

• What percentage of my bill will be covered for services obtained from an out-of-network provider?

• How many sessions will be covered per calendar year?

• What is my deductible?

• What is my co-payment?

We require 24 hours notice to cancel an appointment otherwise you will be charged your full session rate. Therapists will do their best to reschedle within the same week to avoid this, however, they may not always be able to accommodate a re-schedule. We recommend letting your therapist know of any conflicts as soon as possible.

Weekly sessions are recommended, especially at the start of treatment, as we have noticed this is the best way to build momentum in therapy. Consistency is one of the most important factors in successful treatment outcomes. We reserve biweekly slots for clients who have reached their goals and are phasing out of treatment. However, on occasion our therapists will work with clients who have unique scheduling needs as long as a consistent plan that works for both client and therapist can be agreed upon.

You have the right to receive a "Good Faith Estimate" explaining how much your medical care will cost as a result of the “No Surprises Bill" which took effect in January 2022.

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. I don’t take ANY insurance, so I must provide you with a GFE. You have the right to receive a GFE for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. When we connect and book a first appointment, I will send you a GFE. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your GFE, you have the right dispute the bill. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises

See our Good Faith Estimate Notice here.

Our office is located at 2900 Riverside Dr. #1 Los Angeles, CA 90039. The nearest major cross-street is Glendale Blvd. just off the I-5 freeway.

Please allow an extra 10-15 minutes for arrival your first visit.

Client parking is located on the side of the building adjacent to the Chevron gas station. Two parking spots are assigned to East Side Therapy, which you can utilize. If these spots are full you may park in any of the other spots available, including the second row of spots facing away from the building. Additional parking may be available on the street.