Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make an appointment?

You can call our office, email us, or use our online form. One of us (usually our administrative assistant Kristina) will get back to you right away. We will talk with you about the main reasons you are seeking counseling and ask you a few other questions so we can recommend the best person in our practice to work with you (let us know if you hope to work with a specific therapist and we can try to arrange this). If it’s decided that we are a good fit then an initial appointment with one of our therapists will be scheduled, usually within a few days.

What age group do you serve?

We work with children ages 5 and up, adults of all ages, and couples.

What kinds of problems do you help with?

Our therapists are well trained to help with a variety of mental health or emotional concerns, but primarily we help people with anxiety, depression, and/or stress related problems. This includes problems like worry, nervousness, panic attacks, social fears/phobia/shyness, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, general feelings of unhappiness, feelings of overwhelm, procrastination or avoidance, trauma related difficulties, habits or addictions, and relationship problems.

What times do you have available for appointments?

Since we have three therapists to serve you, we have quite a bit of flexibility when scheduling appointments. Besides normal working hours, we often can see you in the evening, lunch time, or early mornings to make your appointments as convenient as possible. Please let us know your preference and we will do our best to match it.

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

In a nutshell, CBT is a focused, directive, goal-oriented, and evidenced-based type of counseling. This type of therapy looks at the interaction of one’s thoughts and behavior and how these two areas affect one’s emotions, feelings, and/or state of mind. When you are able to think and behave differently you are able to make substantial improvements to the way you feel and in your life in general. Please visit our Learning Center & Resources link to the left to read more about cognitive behavioral therapy.

How many visits will I need to resolve my problems?

This answer depends greatly on your goals for counseling, your particular situation, how much effort you put into your counseling, and the length of your appointments (standard sessions are 50 minutes in length, however 75 or 90 minute appointments are available and often speed up progress). The research is pretty clear that when clients fully engage in therapy by regularly doing homework, focusing in the sessions, committing to discussing unpleasant emotions, and implementing the skills that are taught they get better quicker. In some instances we have been able to be helpful in as few as 4 sessions whereas other times clients have continued with us for much longer. Although it is difficult to predict exactly how many appointments you will need up front, your therapist would be happy to discuss this with you as your therapy gets underway. If you want to learn more about the importance of your role in counseling, read our two articles How to be Successful in Therapy and Are You a Good Match for Palo Alto Therapy.

What is the benefit of Palo Alto Therapy’s group practice?

By having three well-trained therapists on staff you are able to get connected with the one that is most appropriate for you and your particular problem. We regularly work as a team and consult weekly to ensure that all of our clients are getting the benefit of three therapists while only directly working with one. If needed and/or requested we have the ability to allow you to work with a different therapist without having to find an entirely new counseling center.

Do you take insurance?

We do not accept health insurance directly. However, some insurance companies offer reimbursement for out-of-network providers and we are happy to give you the documentation needed. If needed we can even call for you to check your insurance benefits.

What form of payment do you accept?

We accept credit cards, checks, or cash. Our fees are consistent with professional therapists in the area.

Do you prescribe medications?

No, but we have many psychiatrists that we work with on a regular basis that we would be happy to set you up with. In some cases therapy plus medication may be the best route to take so please don’t hesitate to discuss this with your therapist.

Is it possible to improve my anxiety or depression without counseling?

Generally the answer is yes. Not only do we believe this, but there have been lots of clinical studies that have shown this to be true. Although some people can do quite fine with just some self-help books or medication, many people prefer specialized guidance and support. Working on yourself when emotions are high, such as anxiety or depression, can be quite a challenge and the use of a professional may be the best way to go. We will help you reach your goals as quickly as possible, support you along the way, and teach you skills that you can apply even when you are finished with counseling. That is our goal!

Contact us or schedule an appointment by calling 650-461-9026, e-mailing, or clicking here for an online form.