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FAQ

Questions people ask before they call

Every answer is on this page in full. Nothing hidden behind a form.

The format

What actually happens in a walking session?

We meet at an agreed public trailhead or park entrance and walk side by side for fifty-three minutes at a pace you set. It's the same therapy that would happen in a room, minus the room. If a day calls for stillness, we sit on a bench or meet by video instead.

Do I have to be fit or outdoorsy?

No. Routes are chosen around what you can comfortably do, including flat, shaded and short options. The walking is a format, not a fitness requirement.

Is an outdoor session private?

It happens in public space, so it can't offer what a closed office offers. I choose quieter routes and times, we talk about the trade-off before starting, and telehealth is always available for more sensitive work.

Fit and getting started

I've had bad experiences with therapy. Why try again?

That's worth saying out loud on the first call rather than working around. Often a bad experience is information about fit or format, and it tends to be useful material rather than an obstacle.

How do I know if I need therapy?

If you’re feeling stuck, lost, or overwhelmed, reaching out is a courageous step toward foundational change. Consider therapy if you've been carrying the same challenges (like persistent anxiety, sadness, anger, or unresolved grief) for months without relief; if emotions are interfering with work or relationships; if traditional self-help methods haven’t worked; or if you feel disconnected from your purpose and identity.

How do I know if you're the right therapist for me?

The therapeutic relationship is essential to healing. If you feel that outdoor movement-integrated therapy aligns with your style, the free initial phone consultation is designed to test that fit. Ask me anything about how I work. If I don't think I'm the right practitioner for your needs, I will tell you directly and help connect you with trusted colleagues.

What are the challenges or honest realities of therapy?

Therapy offers tremendous benefits, but it is not a magical quick fix. It brings up real challenges: progress is rarely linear (facing suppressed emotions can feel temporarily heavier before clarity emerges), it requires ongoing emotional commitment, and confronting truth can prompt significant lifestyle or relationship changes. We navigate these complexities together in a safe, non-judgmental container.

How often would we meet?

Most people come weekly. Some taper as things settle. There's no fixed contract, and we'll talk openly about it rather than defaulting to indefinite.

Do you work with teenagers?

Yes, and often with teens who have refused office-based therapy. Communication with parents gets agreed clearly at the start.

Logistics and limits

Where do you work, and who can you see?

Walking sessions in Oakland and Berkeley, and telehealth anywhere in California. I'm licensed in California, so that's where the work lives, with some room for an existing client who is traveling for a while.

What does it cost?

$200 for a 53-minute walking session and $185 for a 53-minute online session, with a limited number of sliding-scale spots subject to availability and financial need. The initial phone consultation is free, and I provide superbills and invoices for HSA and FSA use.

What if I'm in crisis right now?

This practice doesn't provide acute crisis or emergency psychiatric services. In a crisis or emergency, call or text 988 or dial 911.

Is there an office I can come to?

No. This is a walking and telehealth practice with no office and no street address. Meeting points are agreed with you directly, at public trailheads and parks.

Do you prescribe medication?

No. I'm a licensed clinical social worker, not a prescriber. I can talk medication through with you and coordinate with a prescriber you choose.

Can I email you about clinical matters?

Please don't. Email and the form on this site are not a secure channel. Anything clinical belongs in a session or in the practice's secure client portal.

Still wondering something that isn't here? Ask it on the call.

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