Therapy Questions

If you’re considering starting therapy, you probably have many “therapy questions.” This page will answer some of the most common questions and I’ll try to cover as much territory as I can. But if you have anything else you’d like to discuss, please feel free to call me at (310) 273-4827 or email me at sandracohenphd@gmail.com. And, you can set up your complimentary 25-minute Zoom consultation now.

What problems do you treat?

This is probably one of the most important therapy questions you have. I’ve worked for over 40 years practicing psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. During that time, I’ve developed expertise in treating many psychological problems. A partial list follows.

Childhood Trauma
Panic Attacks
Anxiety
Sexual abuse
Persistent depression
Bipolar disorders
Cutting and self-injury

Eating Disorders
Borderline Personality
Hypochondria
Creative blocks
Inability to move on after a loss
Problems with love
Failed previous therapies

Do you do supportive psychotherapy?

All psychotherapy is, and should be, supportive. The foundation of any psychotherapeutic relationship is a safe space for getting to the heart of what’s causing your symptoms. That means empathic support. Yet, in my experience, support isn’t enough. When I work with you, I also provide in-depth attention to the roots and causes of your symptoms. Plus, in either psychotherapy or psychoanalysis with me, I will give you the individualized help you need to work these out over time.

Is Teletherapy available and how does it work?

I offer teletherapy by secure HIPAA compliant Zoom or by phone. I am licensed in the state of California and can work with you from any city you live in. Teletherapy works for all psychological challenges, especially necessary in this time of COVID-19. We can work together in either psychotherapy or psychoanalysis, one time a week or more.

You and I will determine the best treatment plan for you during our initial consultation.

Are psychoanalysis and psychotherapy different?

Yes, psychoanalysis and psychotherapy are different. Yet, the psychotherapy or psychoanalysis I practice is psychoanalytic therapy. Your psychological struggles will be understood in light of your unique history, vulnerabilities, and how your “child mind” interpreted your early experiences.

Psychoanalysis, because we meet for 3, 4, or 5 sessions per week, allows a deeper and more active structure for working out your symptoms and problems. Having each session soon followed by another session helps to contain anxiety and deepen the understanding we achieve in each session.

Psychotherapy, with fewer weekly sessions, may not go to the same depth as psychoanalysis. The thoroughness of psychoanalysis generally offers a chance for more lasting change. Yet, change depends on many personal factors, including motivation and a capacity for insight. I offer my psychoanalytic understanding to everyone I work with, at whatever frequency.

Most importantly, I respect your financial limitations as well as your desire to engage or not to engage in the frequency of psychoanalysis. I believe in the effectiveness of psychoanalysis, but I also work actively in every psychotherapy session to help you achieve the results and change you need.

How long will I need to come for psychotherapy?

There is no set amount of time for psychotherapy. Change takes time and a trusting relationship with me. Neither occurs quickly. Effective psychotherapy is an emotional, not a cognitive, process.

Everyone wants solutions, but there are no quick answers. For successful therapy, it’s important to honor whatever pace you need to open up the feelings and experiences that need to be understood.

Trust is a “holding place” for this work to be done. Safety is essential.

Lasting solutions come out of closely understanding the feelings you had to (for good reasons) avoid. Feelings have deep roots and, for real change to occur, it’s necessary to take the time needed to link those feelings to your current symptoms, relationship difficulties, and ways you feel about yourself.

Because of this, each therapy unfolds in its own way. As we work together, we’ll find what you need.

Will I see results quickly?

From the beginning of our work together, I’ll actively focus on the specific details of your symptoms and their links to your early history. If you feel understood in a new way, maybe even in a way your problems haven’t been understood before, you should feel some relief fairly quickly. Lasting change takes time, though, and is much more than symptom relief.

We’ll set a regular schedule. I’ll respect whatever you can manage. Yet, if you have a lot going on in your mind and your life, once-a-week therapy might make you feel you only have enough time to “catch me up” on what’s happened during the week. If you can work with me at least twice a week, therapy will unfold with less pressure and you’ll see results more quickly.

Do you prescribe or recommend medication?

I’m a psychologist with a Ph.D., not an M.D., so I don’t prescribe medication. If medication is something you wish to try, are already on, or need for immediate relief of depression, anxiety, or panic attacks, I work with several psychiatrists. I will give you a referral for a medication consultation.

Many of the patients I work with don’t want to take medication and find they don’t need to. If we meet frequently enough to provide the necessary supportive psychotherapy and understanding of your acute symptoms, you may not need medication.

Medication, though, is not a substitute for therapy. Although medication can be useful, it only offers temporary symptomatic relief. Resolution of persistent depression, anxiety of any form, or panic attacks comes from in-depth understanding and working out the root causes of your symptoms.

What are your fees?

Although I know this is an essential therapy question, I discuss fees personally in our initial telephone conversation or, preferably, in our complimentary 25-minute Zoom consultation. If I cannot meet your financial needs, I’ll do my best to recommend a therapist or clinic that can. Let’s talk.

Let’s talk.

Do you accept insurance?

I’m not a member of any insurance company panel and, therefore, am an out-of-network provider. So, I do not bill insurance companies or accept payment from them.

I ask for direct payment of your therapy bill at the end of each month. I will provide an insurance superbill along with your monthly statement. This will allow you to bill your own insurance company by attaching the superbill to your claim form. Your insurance benefits will be reimbursed to you.

If you have a PPO, you can call your insurance company and inquire about your mental health benefits. They will tell you what they allow per session for an out-of-network provider. An HMO, will not reimburse you for sessions with a provider out of their network. If you have PPO benefits, your company should pay a portion of your monthly therapy bill.