Frequently Asked Questions
Starting therapy comes with questions.
Below you'll find answers to some of the most common questions about therapy with Raising Consciousness. If you don't see what you're looking for, you're welcome to reach out.
Who does Raising Consciousness work with?
Raising Consciousness provides individualized psychotherapy for clients navigating concerns such as trauma and PTSD, anxiety and panic, ADHD and autism, OCD, depression and mood concerns, identity, relationships, life transitions, and stress.
Our practice is designed to grow, and individual clinicians may have different specialties, approaches, and populations they work with.
Do you offer online therapy?
Yes. Raising Consciousness provides telehealth psychotherapy to clients located throughout California. You can attend sessions from a private location that works for you without needing to travel to an office.
Do I need to live in California?
Clients must be physically located in a state where their treating clinician is legally authorized to practice at the time therapy is provided. Our current services are primarily available to clients located in California.
What concerns do your therapists work with?
Areas of focus may include trauma and PTSD, anxiety and panic, ADHD and autism, OCD, depression and mood concerns, identity, relationships, life transitions, burnout, executive functioning, and work-related concerns.
Because each clinician has their own areas of experience and specialization, we consider your needs and preferences when determining fit.
What approaches do you use?
Depending on the clinician and the needs of the client, therapy may incorporate approaches such as EMDR, ACT, CBT and DBT-informed strategies, parts work, somatic interventions, mindfulness-based approaches, and other evidence-informed methods.
Treatment is individualized rather than assuming one therapeutic approach will work for everyone.
How do I know which therapist is right for me?
Finding the right therapist involves more than matching a diagnosis with a specialty. We consider what you're hoping to address, your preferences, the clinician's experience and therapeutic approach, availability, and whether the relationship feels like an appropriate fit.
What happens during the first therapy session?
The first session is primarily an opportunity for your therapist to learn about you, what brought you to therapy, what is currently working or not working, and what you hope may change.
You don't need to arrive with a perfectly organized story or know exactly what your therapy goals should be. Your therapist will help guide the conversation and begin developing a treatment approach with you.
How long are therapy sessions?
Individual psychotherapy sessions are generally approximately 45–55 minutes, depending on clinical needs, scheduling, and applicable payer requirements.
Do you accept insurance?
Raising Consciousness works with insurance and private-pay options. Insurance participation may vary by clinician and billing pathway, so coverage should be confirmed before beginning services.
For the most current information, please visit our Insurance & Fees page.
Do you offer private-pay therapy?
Yes. Private-pay services are available. Current fees and payment information can be found on our Insurance & Fees page.
Do you provide in-person therapy?
Raising Consciousness currently provides psychotherapy through telehealth. This allows us to work with clients throughout California rather than limiting services to one local area.
Do I need a diagnosis to start therapy?
No. People seek therapy for many reasons, including stress, relationships, identity, life transitions, work difficulties, patterns they want to understand, or simply feeling that something in their life isn't working.
Your therapist can discuss diagnosis with you when it is clinically relevant or required for insurance billing.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes. Protecting your privacy is an important part of psychotherapy. Information discussed in therapy is generally confidential, with certain exceptions required or permitted by law.
The specific limits of confidentiality and privacy practices are reviewed as part of the informed-consent process before treatment.
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy approach commonly used to address trauma and distressing experiences. EMDR involves helping the brain process experiences that may continue to cause distress in the present.
Not every client needs EMDR, and its use depends on the client's needs, goals, clinical presentation, and treating clinician.
Do all Raising Consciousness therapists provide the same types of therapy?
No. As our practice grows, clinicians may have different specialties, training, therapeutic approaches, and areas of interest.
This allows Raising Consciousness to serve a broader range of clients while still helping each person find care that fits their individual needs.
How do I get started?
Complete our brief Get Started form and tell us a little about what you're looking for. We'll review your information and contact you regarding availability, fit, and possible next steps.