Telehealth Psychotherapy Services

Welcome to my psychotherapy office. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I have transitioned my therapy and consultation services to an exclusive teleheath practice. This means all sessions will be conducted over the telephone or using video conferencing.

The research to date suggests that teleheath psychotherapy for depression, anxiety, trauma, interpersonal problems/anger management, substance abuse and other psychological disorders can be just as effective as in-person, face-to-face psychotherapy (Google Scholar references). Successful therapy, whether done in person, via telephone or over the internet, depends on the knowledge and skill of the therapist and the strength of the client-therapist relationship. Although going to a therapist's office has its own unique advantages (such as, connecting in person, going somewhere neutral to discuss problems, getting away from the distractions of life), so does telehealth psychotherapy. People who have been using telehealth during the stay-at-home orders this year, have discovered that telehealth psychotherapy is technologically easy, very convenient, free of travel time to and from the office, and,easy to fit into their work, travel and family schedules. As mentioned above, the most important factor in whether or not someone benefits from the therpeutic process is the client/s relationship with the therapist. The therapeutic relationship includes factors such as comfort with the therapist, trust of the therapist, and confidence in the therapist's skills and knowledge. And this trust, comfort and confidence can develop as easily over the telephone or via the internet.

Many people contact me wanting to know just what is psychotherapy and how does it work to help people change? This is a question that psychologists have asked over many years about all forms of psychotherapy. In fact, scholars have studied this question extensively, and although there are no definitive answers, they have found that there are certain characteristics that seem to be present in all forms of psychotherapy, no matter what modality (individual or couple) or orientation (Freudian, Jungian, behavioral, cognitive, etc.). Click on the "How it works" link above.

As the patient, you have the right to ask your therapist questions about his/her qualifications, background and orientation. The most important factor in the success of therapy is good communication between therapist and patient. In some instances, talking about your difficulties may exacerbate your symptoms, however over time you should see an improvement. In addition, not all individuals benefit from therapy or working with a particular therapist. If at any time during the therapy you have questions about whether or not the treatment is effective, feelings about something I have said or suggested or need clarification of our goals, do not hesitate to bring this up in our session.

Confidentiality

By law and professional ethics, your sessions are strictly confidential. Generally, no information will be shared with anyone without your written permission. If you are seeing another therapist or health professional it may be necessary for me to contact that person so that we can coordinate our efforts. If this is necessary I will ask for your permission. In addition, some insurance companies require periodic updates. I will only provide this information with your permission. There are however, a number of exceptions to this confidentiality policy. To read about these exceptions, click on the "Disclosure" link above.

Fees

In my practice, inidividual psychotherapy costs $225.00 per 50 minute session. Sessions over fifty minutes are billed at $4.50/minute. I accept credit and debit card payments through PayPal and Square. To pay with a credit/debit card prior to your session, go to my payment page on my web site (http://www.danielsonkin.com/psychotherapy/payment.html) and click on the appropriate payment button. To find out more about my fees, click on the "Disclosure" link above. To make a payment with a credit card click on the link above.

Prior to your first session, print, read and sign my Disclosure Form. You may want to print a copy for your records. Because your sessions will be conducted over the internet, by telephone or other electronic means, you must read and and sign a copy of my Tele-Medicine Informed Consent Form.

If you need a copy of my Authorization to Release Information form, click on the "Authorization" link above. Print a copy, fill out the necessary information and FAX the form back to me at: (415) 869-5300.

To schedule an appointment, ask a question or just send me information, just click on the "Contact" link above.