Over my years in the mental health field, I have come to believe that the relationship between client and practitioner is the bedrock of a successful therapeutic experience.
While I do not have a one-size-fits-all approach, we will likely walk the journey of your life's narrative in order to uncover the ways in which the thoughts and beliefs you have about yourself affect how you feel and behave in the current moment. These thoughts and beliefs are imbedded at a young age due to messages (often well-intentioned) that we receive from family, friends and the world at large.
I draw on a range of insight-oriented, mind-body informed interventions. Fundamentally, my practice is rooted in feminism, decolonization and dignity.
No matter what we explore or what modalities are offered, I hold that you are complete and whole, as you are.
Alongside my private practice, I am also a community-based Clinical Supervisor, mentoring and training new clinicians as they start their careers.
I am licensed to practice therapy in California #28869.
Sarah Kwan, PhD
Licensed Psychologist, Founder, Virtual & In-person
Women & Teens 13+
Infertility
The distress of infertility not only challenges deeply held beliefs about oneself and the world, but also affects the delicate and complex ecosystems of intimate partner relationships (romantic, friendship or otherwise). Difficulties around support, satisfaction and communication are common, impacting an extension of networks, including familial and social.
There is evidence that men and women experience infertility differently, managing this crisis in unique ways. The role of women is often more strongly intertwined with the role of motherhood, interrupting what can be seen as a critical life event. Women’s social lives may also change as female friends become mothers and alter their focuses in life. This can impact the quality of friendships, with many infertile women losing contact with or isolating themselves from friends who have become mothers.
Infertility counselling offers the opportunity to explore, in greater depth, concerns related to the experience and treatment of infertility. Diagnostic and medical procedures in and of themselves represent an unforeseen source of stress for the majority of individuals, particularly as techniques become more invasive and time- and money-spent grows. Processing feelings of anxiety, guilt and grief as well as reframing beliefs around the meaning of infertility is critical to creating healthier narratives about oneself, others and the future.
Adult Psychotherapy
Fertility/Infertility
Racial trauma and identity
Current and/or historical trauma, including physical and sexual violence
Harm Reduction, including self-harm behaviors
Career challenges
Dating/Relationships
Pregnancy & Motherhood
Eating disorders and other compulsive disorders
Mother-Daughter Dyads
Anxiety/Depression
Adolescent Psychotherapy
Current and/or historical trauma, including physical and sexual violence
Anger management and acting out behaviors
Self-injurious behaviors
Depression & suicidal ideation and intent
Coping with academic stress
Sexual Orientation/Gender Questions
Sexual Health
Parent-child relationship
Peer and intimate relationships
Bullying, including emotional impact of social media
FAQs
What is your per session fee?
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Each 50-minute adult psychotherapy session with Sarah Kwan, PhD Licensed Psychologist is $225
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Each 50-minute adolescent psychotherapy session with Sarah Kwan is $250
What is your cancellation policy?
Your therapy session is a time reserved especially for you. Your credit card will be charged the full fee of the session if you cancel within 48 hours or no show.
How long is each individual session and how frequently do I attend?
Each 50-minute psychotherapy session is typically attended weekly, although this recommendation may be adapted to your specific needs.
Do you accept insurance?
While we do not currently accept insurance, we reserve a small number of sliding scale fees which are approved on a case by case basis.
Additionally, we can provide you with a statement to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Please check with your insurance company to determine the rate at which you are eligible to be reimbursed.
How do you handle privacy and confidentiality?
All aspects of your treatment are confidential within the practice. Important exceptions include if there is risk that you might do harm to yourself or someone else. I am a mandated reporter for the abuse of protected populations, including children, elderly and incapacitated adults. For further information, please review my "Notice of Privacy Policies" in its entirety.