Therapy For People Who Look Fine ... But Aren't
Confidential phone & video sessions throughout California. Therapy that meets you where you are — literally.
Do any of these sound familiar?
Every conversation you have, no matter how good it seems in the moment, results in a week-long replay in your head.
You've gotten so good at adapting, adjusting, and shapeshifting that you're no longer sure who you really are.
You look fine to everyone else, but inside it feels like an increasingly volatile mix of hurt, frustration, and resentment.
You’ve got a deepening sense of exhaustion that a good night's sleep just doesn't fix anymore.
You’re wondering how much longer you can continue doing what you’re doing before it all falls apart.
If that’s you, you’re in the right place: I've been there too, and I specialize in helping people like you.
How does therapy help?
Therapy is both an art and a science. As a therapist, my goal is simple: to be a supportive guide, helping you learn the tools & skills you need to navigate your growth journey. What does that look like in practice? Well, it's different for each client, but there are some common changes my clients experience from our work:
Clarity about who they are and what truly matters so they know where to focus their attention and energy.
Courage so they're empowered to act in alignment with their values, even in the face of judgement or conflict.
Resilience so that they can keep going in the face of the inevitable challenges life throws at all of us.
Confidence that they can face life's messiness and uncertainty and come out ok on the other side.
"You gave me the gift of insight to see patterns in myself that had been causing me to hold myself hostage and stay stuck. By working with you I have been able to move my life forward, stop fearing failure and judgement, identify and move away from negative relationships, and feel like myself again for the first time in a long time."
-GB
Nuts & Bolts (The When, Where, and How)
I see clients virtually (via phone or video) throughout California. (In-person 'walk & talk' sessions are also available if you're in the Sacramento area.)
Generally, we’ll have weekly or bi-weekly calls, but there are also options for asynchronous support via secure messaging if that fits what you need.
While I'm not contracted with any insurance panels, I can provide a superbill for out of network reimbursement.
HSA funds can also typically be used.
'What if this is just how I am?'
If you're like a lot of my clients, you might worry that you can't change. Maybe you've made attempts in the past without success.
Well, just because you haven't succeeded yet doesn't mean you can't.Something you should know about me: I'm persistent, optimistic, and carry a deep belief in the ability of people to change and grow, informed by my experiences with other clients.
I'll believe in you until you're ready to believe in yourself.
"I can’t think of one time in the last two years that I didn’t walk away from a session with Steve without some gem of an insight. Old limiting patterns that have plagued me my entire life have finally begun to dissolve. At first, I wondered if the cost would be worth it. Looking back, I find it hard to overstate the value of those sessions."
-DT
FAQ
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What outcome research tells us is that the quality of the client-therapist relationship is a primary factor in good therapy outcomes. So, the key is to find a therapist who you feel comfortable to and can connect with. This is why I encourage potential clients to schedule a free consultation - it helps us assess that much better than a webpage ever could.
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My goal is to help you find a healthier balance between your wants and those of others in your life, whether it's your partner, friends, family, or co-workers. Another way to put it: In my therapy work, I help my clients go from 'lose-win' to 'win-win'.
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It depends (I hate the vagueness of that answer, but it's the honest one.) For some clients, it's just a few months while they tackle a specific challenge. For others it's longer-term, because they value the ongoing support of having a trusted advisor help them navigate through life.
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My fee is $225 per 50-minute therapy session. I also have concierge therapy options for people looking to do more intensive work, and see a limited number of clients for a reduced fee.
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Under California law, everything in our sessions (including the fact that we're having them) is confidential unless there are safety concerns or you give me permission to share information about our sessions with someone else.
Meet Steve
I'm a licensed psychotherapist in Sacramento, California, and I've spent the last 20+ years helping people build happier lives that are both more fulfilling and authentic.
As a fellow human, I’ve had my own share of challenges. A lack of emotional support and an unstable home environment sowed the seeds for anxiety, overthinking, and people pleasing behaviors. It 'worked' for me for a long time: people saw me as caring, selfless, always there when needed.
Underneath the surface, though, resentment and anger grew as I sacrificed more and more of myself, building an identity that was primarily about what I could do for others and feeling increasingly stressed and overwhelmed
Over time that led to burnout, depression, and ultimately transformation when I finally sought help. That began a growth journey and career pivot that took me from 'tech guy' to psychotherapist.
Since 2002, in my work as a counselor, psychotherapist, and coach, I’ve had the privilege of helping hundreds of people on their journeys of healing, recovery, and growth. So, when I say that I know change, healing, and recovery are possible, it's not just a cliché sound bite - it's something I've seen happen many times. The work my clients do both inspires me and challenges me to continue my own growth journey.
Outside of work, you can probably find me reading, playing games with my family, helping the dogs at our local animal shelters, making music, or eating pizza & drinking something fizzy.
"I am a far more confident person that has learned to accept myself more than I had ever hoped to do so when we started working together."
-DR
What’s Next?
If you're ready to learn how to have healthy relationships and re-connect with yourself, I'd welcome the chance to help you make that journey. I know it can be challenging to find a therapist who's a good fit, and you can only tell so much from a website. So, if you're interested in exploring further, you can send me an email with any questions you have or schedule a consultation. No expectation, obligation, just a chance to connect explore what makes sense for you.