1. Does therapy work?
Over 3,000 scientific studies show the consistent and positive effects of psychotherapy. The average client receiving psychotherapy is better off than 79% of clients who do not seek treatment. Nine out of ten Americans surveyed by Consumer Reports stated that psychotherapy had helped them. According to a study conducted through Consumer Reports, therapy has also been shown to be useful in assisting people to develop more psychological awareness and insight, learn to communicate more effectively, learn to resolve both internal and interpersonal conflicts, manage, reduce or relieve symptoms of emotional distress, develop more social, relational or vocational functioning, pursue personal growth and development and reconstruct their lives in the aftermath of trauma and abuse. According to a research summary from the Stanford University School of Medicine, therapy effectively decreased peoples’ depression and anxiety related symptoms – such as pain, fatigue, and nausea. Therapy has been found to have positive effects on the body’s immune system. Research increasingly supports the idea that emotional and physical health are closely linked and that therapy can improve a person’s overall health status. There is convincing evidence that most people who have at least several sessions of therapy are better off than untreated individuals, who are having emotional difficulties.

2. How long does therapy last?
The length of therapy depends on many factors, including your goals, how frequently and consistently you attend sessions, your level of motivation for change and ability to incorporate new insights and practices, the type and intensity of concerns or issues you are addressing in therapy, and any unforeseen events that take place during the course of therapy. Everyone is unique and the length of time in therapy varies. Many clients begin seeing and experiencing a real, positive change in their lives and relationships after just a few sessions. Therapy is a collaborative process, and I encourage you to share your length preferences, if any. Some clients only attend 8-10 sessions while others continue the process for two years or more as they continue to pursue goals and practice new skills. Typically, the time in therapy is somewhere in between. I strongly recommend that the final session be planned. This allows us to summarize the progress, discuss what strategies to use to maintain the therapeutic gains, and say "good-bye." This resolution is associated with better long-term outcomes for clients than an abrupt termination.
3. I work during the day. Is it still possible to have sessions?
Yes, I cater my availability to my clients’ needs and am open Monday to Thursday 4pm to 9pm and Sunday 9am to 4pm. I want to make sure you are able to receive your therapy without your work being affected.

4. Do I have to do in-home therapy?
Not at all. In addition to home-based therapy, I offer sessions at my Oakland and San Francisco offices as well as phone and video sessions.

5. If we have home sessions, where will the therapy take place?
Home sessions are usually held in the living room or dining room.

6. Are phone sessions and video sessions still effective?
In my experience, I have found my clients receiving phone and video sessions to make progress. You are more than welcome to try sessions in various methods (e.g. video and office-based) and see what works best for you. Thompson (2016), from Portland State University, reviewed the literature on teletherapy and concluded, “teletherapy appears to produce therapeutic changes in a client in a similar manner to traditional therapy.” Chakrabarti (2015) discovered that research data from studies “comparing clinical outcomes between videoconferencing-based interventions and conventional treatment found both conditions to be equivalent across diverse populations, across all age groups, and on a wide range of outcome measure.”

Chakrabarti, S. (2015). Usefulness of telepsychiatry: A critical evaluation of videoconferencing-based approaches. World Journal of Psychiatry, 5(3), 286–304. https://doi.org/10.5498/wjp.v5.i3.286

Thompson, R. B. (2016). "Psychology at a distance: Examining the efficacy of online therapy" University Honors Theses. Paper 285. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/honorstheses/285

7. What are your rates?
My regular rates are $160 per 45-minute individual session and $250 per 75-minute couple session.

8. Do you accept insurance?
I don’t accept insurance directly. If you have a Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account card, I am able to charge that for sessions. Or if you have a PPO plan, I can provide invoices for possible partial or full reimbursement from your insurance. Please verify with them for more details.  
9. Do you prescribe medication?
I do not prescribe medication. You may consult with your psychiatrist if you are interested in medication.

10. Are you currently accepting new clients?
Yes, while I have a relatively full client load, there is consistently a good ebb and flow of clients starting services and clients “graduating” from therapy.


Office: 2940 Summit St. Suite 2D, Oakland, CA, USA, 94609

Second Office: 815 Hyde St. San Francisco, CA, USA, 94109

Office, In-Home, Online, and Phone Sessions Available




© by Katie Mai Findley