All about therapy with Kristin

Marriage & Family Therapy

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist I work with individuals, couples, families and groups. The scope of practice for an MFT is to work with clients so that "interpersonal relationships are examined for the purpose of achieving more adequate, satisfying, and productive marriage and family adjustments". What does this really mean? It means that my intention is to help my clients improve their relationships with their partners, children, friends, acquaintances and themselves. Having fulfilling relationships is an important piece of having a happier and healthier life.

>>>>more information on marriage & family therapy

Hypnotherapy

As a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, I believe that hypnotherapy is an effective tool for finding the insight, inner wisdom and resources that reside deep within your subconscious mind. Connecting with this deep part of yourself can help you to achieve empowerment in every aspect of your life. I use hypnosis with clients that are interested in working in this manner.

>>>>more information on hypnotherapy

Support Groups

Support groups are a great way to be able to overcome issues that seem insurmountable or to help one move more easily through a transition.

>>>>more information on groups running and/or forming now

General Information about Working with Kristin

How do sessions with you work and how much do they cost?

Each session lasts 90 minutes and costs $125. I also provide "50 minute hour" sessions for $90. I accept payment by cash, checks, and Visa or MasterCard in my office. Some clients visit each week, others come as often as they see fit to address their needs. ^top

Where is your office?

My Santa Cruz office is on Mission Street on the West Side of Santa Cruz, California. Click here for directions. If you do not live in the Santa Cruz area you can contact me regarding telephone sessions. ^top

What is your cancellation policy?

A 48 hour notice by phone and email (to insure the message is received) is required for cancellations or rescheduling. The full fee is charged for late cancellations and for missed appointments without notice. This policy is necessary because if you miss an appointment without notice or cancel an appointment without informing me at least 48 hours ahead of time, I am unable to utilize that time for another client who may have wanted that appointment. Therefore, I must ask that you take responsibility for compensating my time. It is important to note that insurance plans do not pay for missed appointments and the patient is responsible for full payment. ^top

Do you accept insurance?

One of the benefits of being a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist is that some insurance providers will reimburse clients for psychotherapy sessions with me. I am happy to give you an invoice for our sessions that you can submit to your insurance provider, although I cannot guarantee reimbursement. Check with your health plan, as a doctor's referral may be necessary for reimbursement. I am happy to work with you to try to join your insurance plan or work to get your sessions reimbursed. My clients are responsible for paying me for my services at the time of the session. ^top

How many sessions will it take to address my problem/issue?

Resolving your issue will depend on the issue itself, your commitment to change, and your own ideas about therapy. Therapy where we are focused on a specific issue can be shorter term. Typically, you will know within 3 sessions whether working with me is effective for you. At least three sessions is helpful because it gives us a beginning, a middle, and an end. Weekly therapy sessions can be quite effective for more deeply-rooted issues. Open ended work provides more space for the whole process to unfold in its own time. I don't have a formula that applies to each client. Instead we work together to decide what will work best for your individual needs. ^top

How do I choose a therapist?

There are two things that are most important in finding and building a client-therapist relationship: #1) The therapist has a philosophy and a way of working that fits with your beliefs. If you like what I have to say, call me to schedule an appointment.
#2) You and the therapist have a good rapport. Rapport means that you actually like the therapist as a person, not just as a professional. You should feel comfortable with her/him, and be able to comfortably share the deeper parts of yourself.
Meeting a therapist in person is the best way to figure out #2. ^top

Can I finish therapy when I want to?

Yes, you may finish at any time. But therapy often brings up painful memories and emotions which the therapist will encourage you to explore. It does therefore require a certain commitment and a desire to carry it through. But in the end it is the client's choice to finish the therapy when they see fit and for the therapist to support them in this. ^top

What issues or problems do you work with?

Any current issue can be resolved with therapy because everything is fluid: your body, your environment, your relationships, yourself. I have created a list of issues that are more "typical" of the problems that I address with my clients. If your issue is not on this list, it doesn't necessarily mean that therapy wouldn't work. Please call me to discuss your individual issue to determine if working with me could work for you.

• Relationship/couples issues
• Premarital counseling
• Problems related to past abuse or trauma
• Issues related to pregnancy, infertility, miscarriage, the transition to parenthood
• Parenting
• Smoking cessation
• Chronic pain / unexplained medical condition
• Depression, moodiness & feelings of sadness
• Feelings of loneliness & isolation
• Weight issues (overweight, body image, eating disorders)
• Addiction
• Sleep disorders (nightmares, insomnia)
• Phobias and panic
• Emotional Stress or Anxiety
• Sexual Disturbances
• Unexplained Fatigue or Difficulty Sleeping
• Family conflict or tension
• Divorce or Separation
• Child Behavior Problems
• Difficulty Coping with Change
• Fear, Anger or Guilt
• Conflicts with co-workers or peers
• Grief or Emotional Pain
• Low self esteem
• Troublesome habits
• All types of compulsive or self-limiting behaviors
• Old beliefs and painful memories
• Women's issues
• Lesbian, Gay, Transgender Issues
• Spiritual confusion
• Aging issues
• Life coaching

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What are your office policies?

My office policies are listed below. I will ask you to sign a form with these policies on it when you come in for your first session.

• I. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Scope of Practice
  LMFTs may work with individuals, couples, or groups wherein interpersonal relationships are examined for the purpose of achieving more adequate, satisfying, and productive marriage and family adjustments. The application of marriage and family therapy principles and methods includes, but is not limited to, the use of applied psychotherapeutic techniques and hypnotherapeutic techniques, to enable individuals to mature and grow within marriage and the family.
• II. CONFIDENTIALITY
  Confidentiality is strictly held. Only a written release or a court order will enable an exchange of any information regarding treatment to a third party. The occasions under which confidentiality is broken, as required by law, are as follows: a) Child abuse; b) Elder abuse; c) Dependent adult abuse; d) Danger to self; e) Danger to others.
• III. AVAILABILITY
  I do my best to return phone calls quickly. However, if you are ever to have an emergency where you need immediate care you are advised to call 911 in addition to leaving a message for me. I cannot guarantee my availability during an emergency.
• IV. PAYMENT Payment for treatment is due at the beginning of each session by cash or check unless other arrangements are made in advance. Session fees of $125 cover an 80 minute session. You will be given reasonable notice of any fee increases. Cash, checks, or Visa/MasterCard are acceptable as payment for my fee. However, a $30 service charge will be assessed for checks returned for insufficient funds, in addition to the expectation of an immediate full payment of the regular fee. The fee and service charge must be paid before the next appointment can be scheduled.
• V. CANCELLATIONS & RESCHEDULING
  A 48 hour notice by phone and email (to insure the message is received) is required for cancellations or rescheduling. The full fee is charged for late cancellations and for missed appointments without notice. This policy is necessary because if you miss an appointment without notice or cancel an appointment without informing me at least 48 hours ahead of time, I am unable to utilize that time for another client who may have wanted that appointment. Therefore, I must ask that you take responsibility for compensating my time. It is important to note that insurance plans do not pay for missed appointments and the patient is responsible for full payment.
• VI. OTHER FEES
  Collateral contacts and court preparation will be charged at my customary hourly rate on the quarter hour. This includes patient phone contact exceeding 10 minutes. Court required time in testimony, deposition, travel, and preparation will be charged at my customary hourly rate and paid prior to the court date. Time spent preparing, copying and mailing records will also be billed at my hourly rate.

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