How it Works

We tailor our therapeutic approach to each individual client’s issues and therapeutic goals. Thus, our approach to psychotherapy is flexible and may incorporate various therapeutic modalities based on their effectiveness in resolving your particular set of issues. Those approaches may include psychodynamic therapy, components of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and others.

During the initial evaluation, we will discuss your reasons for seeking therapy, any current and past mental health issues, medical history, substance use history, family history, and developmental (childhood) history. After a comprehensive psychiatric assessment, we will develop an individualized treatment plan that may include psychotherapy, medications, laboratory testing, imaging, or referral to other specialists if necessary.

Subsequently, depending on your individual needs and preferences, we will see you in either 30-min or 60-min follow-up sessions to monitor your response to treatment and make the necessary adjustments.

60-min follow up sessions are reserved for psychotherapy and, if applicable, evaluation of your response to medications. 30-min sessions are reserved for medication management only.

Service Areas

In-person and online visits are available to residents of the San Francisco Bay Area. Online visits are available to residents of California located outside of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Languages

We speak English, Russian, and Mandarin.


Evaluation for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

The evaluation for ADHD is a stepwise process that typically involves minimum 3 sessions:


     

    I.

    During our initial session (60-90 min), we will discuss your psychiatric history, including prior diagnoses and treatments, family history of psychiatric disorders, your medical history, your developmental (childhood) history, your educational and professional history, and other relevant social history. During this session, we will assess whether another psychiatric condition(s) may better explain your ADHD-like symptoms.

     

    II.

    If during our initial evaluation, we discover that you might meet criteria for ADHD, we will schedule a diagnostic interview for ADHD in adults. This is a comprehensive interview that takes at least 60 min to complete. Therefore, it requires a separate session.

     

    III.

    		If the diagnostic interview indicates that your symptoms and history are consistent with the diagnosis of ADHD, we may ask your permission to speak with someone, who knows you well and can confirm your answers to the interview questions (i.e. close friend, a family member, a medical professional, or a teacher).
     

    IV.

    		Finally, we will meet with you to discuss the results and collaboratively develop an individualized plan of treatment. At this stage, we will consider your preferences and goals for treatment as well as the impact of ADHD on different areas of your life, your age, any underlying health conditions, and other relevant factors.


    Psychiatric Evaluation for Immigration

    Psychiatric evaluation for immigration purposes is a comprehensive process, which usually requires at least 2-3 sessions and typically proceeds as follows.

    First, we will ask to speak with your attorney to understand the specifics of your immigration case and determine which relevant parts of your history would require a special attention.

    Subsequently, we will meet with you to obtain your complete psychiatric history and a detailed history relevant to your immigration case. This evaluation often includes history of hardships and trauma with the short- and long-term implications for your mental health. We will also assess the potential implications of the denial of your immigration case for your mental health, treatment, and prognosis.

    Finally, we will produce a detailed report, which we will send to your attorney for review. Based on the feedback from your attorney, we may make limited amendments or corrections before we provide a final report.