Therapy FAQs | Somatic & Trauma-Informed Therapist in Oakland

Where are you located?

I’m based in the Pill Hill neighborhood of Oakland, California (431 30th St., Suite 110). I also offer secure online therapy for clients across California and Minnesota.

What is your fee?

Sessions are $300 for 50 minutes. I typically meet weekly with new clients for at least three months to support consistency and momentum in your healing process.

Do you accept insurance?

I am an out-of-network provider, which means I don’t bill insurance directly. You pay privately, and I can provide a superbill for you to submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement.
It’s best to call your insurance company to ask about out-of-network mental health benefits and reimbursement rates.

Why might I choose private pay instead of using insurance?

Many of my clients choose private pay because it allows for more privacy, flexibility, and depth in our work together.

• Insurance often requires a mental health diagnosis and may limit the number or type of sessions allowed.

• Private pay gives you the freedom to work with a therapist trained specifically in somatic, trauma-informed, and HSP-centered therapy.

• I maintain a smaller caseload, which allows me to bring greater presence and attunement to each client.

How do I schedule an initial appointment?

Start with a free 15-minute video consultation so we can discuss what’s bringing you here, explore how I work, and see if we’re a good fit.
👉 Book your consultation here: Schedule with Rachel on Zencare.
If it feels right, you can schedule your first full session from there.

What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?

Consistent presence in therapy supports your nervous system and healing process. To honor that:

• You may reschedule a canceled session within one week before, during, or after the missed appointment if we can find a time that works for both of us.

• You have two free cancellations per year with at least 24-hours’ notice.

• After those two, additional cancellations — even with notice — are charged at your regular session rate.

• If you cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice or do not show up, you’ll be charged the full session fee, billed by the end of that day.

• If I ever need to cancel a session, you will not be charged, and I’ll provide as much notice as possible for any planned time away.

This policy is designed to help you maintain consistency — one of the most powerful ingredients in the healing process.

How long will therapy take?

The length of therapy depends on your goals, the intensity of what you’re working through, and your desired depth of healing.
We’ll check in periodically to assess progress and ensure the pace and direction feel right for you. My goal is to help you build lasting tools for regulation, self-trust, and embodied well-being — not to keep you in therapy indefinitely.

Will you use AI or digital tools in our therapy sessions?

Your therapy is — and will always be — deeply human. I do not use AI chatbots or automated tools for therapy or clinical decisions.

While technology can support scheduling, secure telehealth, and documentation, it cannot replace the healing power of presence and attunement. As I share in my blog, What AI Misses About Mental Health and Why You Need a Human, real healing happens through relationship: the subtle shifts in your breath, tone, posture, and energy that are felt and responded to in real time.

You’re not investing in a digital service — you’re investing in a trusted human relationship that honors your full nervous system, story, and humanity.

What happens when it’s time to end therapy?

Ending therapy is a meaningful part of the process. We’ll create a thoughtful termination plan to support closure and integration.

I may recommend ending therapy if it’s no longer effective or if payments are significantly overdue — but I’ll always discuss this with you first. If therapy ends for any reason, I can offer referrals to other qualified therapists, or you may choose someone independently.