FAQ’s

Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) are mental health professionals trained in psychotherapy and family systems. Licensed MFT’s are able to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders.

We work with teenagers (16+), adults, and couples experiencing:

• Major life transitions (eg. recent job change, new baby, sudden loss, phase of life change, challenges in relationship etc.)

• Navigating anxiety, depression, and stress.

• Overcoming limiting beliefs that are keeping you from seeing the possibility of a new way of life.

The Core Counseling offers virtual services to residents of the state of California and Texas. Clients must be within the state of their residency during sessions. We cannot serve clients outside of California and Texas.

You do not have to be married or in a relationship to receive our services. Being a Marriage and Family Therapist doesn’t inform who we exclusively serve, but how we serve. We take a systemic approach to help all clients assess their relationship to themselves and others.

A number of benefits are available from participating in counseling. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues, and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Counselors can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from counseling depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

• Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values

• Developing skills for improving your relationships

• Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy

• Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety

• Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures

• Improving communications and listening skills

• Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones

• Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage

• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

Because each person has different challenges and goals for counseling, it will be different depending on the individual. The typical length of treatment can range from 8-12 weeks (of consecutive sessions) but may vary. The Core Counseling tailors our therapeutic approach to your specific needs. Some sessions are solution focused driven while others allow for processing and reflection. These aspects can be discussed in more depth during our consultation. All you need to do for a successful start is to show up as yourself with transparency and have motivation to doing your inner work.

Counseling sessions are confidential and state and local laws protect the content. All personal information collected in association with this website and Simple Practice database will only be used for the purpose of providing for the client a safe, therapeutic experience and it will never be distributed or sold to anyone outside of The Core Counseling Services, PLLC. Exceptions include suspected incidents of child abuse and neglect, safety, domestic violence, National Security, spouse abuse, homicide, and suicide.

Mental health therapists cannot see anyone they personally know because that would create what's called a “dual relationship”, something that is unethical in therapy. Dual relationships occur when people are in two very different types of relationships at the same time.

The Core Counseling currently solely offers virtual therapy by appointment only. Virtual sessions are conducted using a telehealth format (via video which is secure and HIPAA compliant).

The Core Counseling is in network with Aetna, Cigna, Optum, and United Healthcare. If you want tips on a few questions to ask your insurance provider before beginning therapy click here.

You will be granted personal access to the Client Portal where you will submit your credit/debit card information. You will be provided an invoice via email and your card will be charged for the agreed upon payment amount.

If you are unable to attend a session, please make sure you cancel 48 hours in advance. This can be done via the Secure Client portal link here.

If you cancel or reschedule an appointment with less than 48 hours notice, or fail to show to your scheduled session, you will be charged out of pocket at the full fee rate of your session.

*Please kindly advise that no shows and less than 48 hour late cancelation fees are charged out of pocket for both insurance based paying client’s and private pay paying clients. Insurances will not cover payment for no shows and late cancellations.