Heartship Policies & FAQs

In the initial session, we always conduct an intake to get a better sense of what you’d like to work on. We’ll go over your history, your identity, and your goals for therapy. We’ll be talking about any symptoms you’re experiencing, family dynamics, and how you’ve been functioning in your relationships and academic and/or work responsibilities. Getting a thorough assessment allows us to develop a treatment plan, so the more honest and open you can be, the better. We know it can be scary to share and we really value your courage to show up. We go at your pace to make sure you feel safe and comfortable throughout the process.

Yes. We offer both in-person and virtual therapy sessions to make care more accessible and flexible. Teletherapy sessions are conducted through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform so you can receive support from the comfort of your home or another private location.

Many of our services can be provided through teletherapy, including individual therapy, couples therapy, and several evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and ERP. During your consultation, we can discuss whether teletherapy is a good fit for your specific needs or if in-person sessions may be more beneficial. We are flexible with our clients where sometimes we meet in-person and other times we meet virtually–it’s whatever works best for you.

We offer therapy both in-person at our office locations in Pasadena and San Marino and through telehealth for any clients with a California address.

We treasure each and every one of the clients that we have had the opportunity to work with. Many clients would describe us as warm, motivating, and encouraging. We're grateful to say that we’ve had many clients work with us for months and years because they have found our therapeutic relationship beneficial for their lives. That doesn’t mean we can’t help you solve your problems in a timely way, though. We take a client-centered approach so we’ll collaborate together to ensure we’re meeting your goals within your timeline.

However long you’d like it to take! Some clients are looking for a few sessions and others are looking for more long-term support. We’ll work together to help you establish your goals and your treatment timeline.

That’s completely okay. Many people start therapy unsure of exactly where to begin. Your therapist will help guide the conversation and create space to explore what’s been on your mind, even if it initially feels unclear.

Yes. Because we want you to get the best care possible, we refer out clients who are experiencing substance use addiction and/or severe eating disorders. That being said, we're happy to connect you to referrals so that you can find the right people to help you in your journey.

We're all about helping you feel empowered with the right steps for you. We believe it’s our job to always provide you with options so that you know about all the resources available to you. We're very comfortable working with psychiatry and we are also big believers in holistic care, including naturopathic care.

We love that you’re thinking about this. You’re right--we likely haven’t lived the same experience as you, whether it relates to your race, gender, ability status, religion, or sexual orientation, as just a few examples. That being said, we're very comfortable talking about intersecting identities and we always try to bring a sense of cultural humility into our sessions. While we never expect you to educate us about your cultural experiences (we take the time to learn outside of session), we also approach cultural integration from a place of openness and care. Your identities matter to us and all identities are welcome in our practice.

You don’t have to reach a certain level of distress to begin therapy. Many people seek therapy when they feel stuck, overwhelmed, or simply want support navigating life’s challenges. If you’re curious about therapy or feel like having support might help, that’s often a good sign it may be the right time.

Success in therapy can look different for everyone. For some, it means feeling less anxious or overwhelmed, while for others it may involve improving relationships, building coping skills, or gaining greater self-understanding. Our goal is to help you move toward the changes that matter most to you.

Depending on your insurance plan, you may be eligible for out-of-network reimbursement for therapy sessions. If applicable, we can provide a detailed receipt (superbill) that you can submit to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement. We recommend contacting your insurance company directly to understand your specific benefits.

The best way to begin is by scheduling a free 20-minute consultation. During this call, we’ll briefly discuss what you’re looking for and help match you with a therapist if it feels like a good fit. Depending on availability, many clients are able to schedule their first session within a week.