No. Not all therapists are Psychologists. In California, therapy can be provided by many different licensed mental health professionals including psychologists (PhD or PsyD), psychiatrists (MD), licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) and psychiatric nurse practitioners (PMHNPs).

While all of the above can provide therapy, the level of training in psychotherapy each professional has received varies:

• Psychologists have earned a doctorate (either PhD or PsyD) in Psychology and typically have 6+ years of graduate education and supervised clinical training. Their training includes in-depth coursework in psychotherapy, psychological theory, research methods, ethics, and assessment, psychology research, completion of a full-time internship and often a postdoctoral fellowship. Psychologists are particularly well-trained in therapy approaches that have proven to be effective by scientific research (also referred to as evidence-based therapy) including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and others; diagnostics, and psychological testing.

• Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MD or DO) who complete medical school followed by a four-year psychiatry residency. While they are trained in diagnosis and mental health treatment, their primary focus is often on prescribing and managing medication (e.g. anti-depressants) for their clients. Some psychiatrists also provide psychotherapy, though this varies by provider and setting.

• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) typically earn a master’s degree in counseling psychology, marriage and family therapy, or a related field. They complete approximately 3,000 hours of supervised experience (equivalent to approximately 2-3 years of clinical training) and focus on relational dynamics, family systems, and individual psychotherapy.

• Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) also hold a master’s degree, usually in social work, and complete around 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience (equivalent to approximately 2-3 years of clinical training). LCSWs are trained to provide psychotherapy, often with a focus on systems, social context, and case management.

• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) are advanced practice registered nurses with specialized training in psychiatry. They typically complete a master’s or doctoral program and are licensed to diagnose and treat mental health conditions, including prescribing medications. While some PMHNPs also provide psychotherapy, their primary focus is often on medication management. The extent of psychotherapy they provide can vary depending on their training, work setting, and individual scope of practice.

The best type of clinician for you depends on your unique needs, preferences (including financial considerations) and goals for therapy.

Psychologists have the most advanced and broadest level of training in evidence-based psychotherapy. Psychologists are also specifically trained in psychological assessment and diagnosis, making them uniquely suited to help with complex or co-occurring mental health concerns including complex trauma, treatment-resistant depression or severe anxiety.

That being said, if you’re looking for a combination of psychotherapy and medication management you may be better suited working with a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. Psychologists also tend to have higher rates for therapy sessions compared to other licensed clinicians, such as LMFTs or LCSWs, due to their advanced education and specialized services.

Evidence-based psychotherapy refers to treatment approaches that have been scientifically tested and shown to be effective. These include therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), among others.

I am trained in and draw from a variety of evidence-based psychotherapies, including behavioral therapies like CBT and CPT, third-wave therapies such as DBT and ACT, and more structured approaches like EMDR and Prolonged Exposure, in order to tailor my approach to each client's unique needs.

You don’t need to figure that out alone. Part of my role is to help guide you. During our initial sessions, we’ll explore your concerns, goals, and preferences to collaboratively determine the best therapeutic approach for you.

I’m trained in a variety of evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure, and others.

Together, we’ll find a style and structure that feels like the right fit and adjust as needed over time.

If you're interested in learning more about the various evidence-based therapies I offer, such as CBT, EMDR, ACT, CPT, and Prolonged Exposure, here are some client-friendly resources where you can explore these therapies further:

• Goodtherapy.org

  Note: This site includes an accessible overview of many different types of therapy approaches including both evidence-based and non-evidence-based therapies. This doesn’t discredit the resource.

  GoodTherapy.org aims to educate the public and reduce stigma around mental health, and their listings reflect the wide range of practices people may encounter.

  If you’re curious about whether a specific therapy has a strong research base, feel free to ask me and we can explore what might be most helpful for you together.

• NAMI.org

  Note: This page focuses on therapies commonly used for mental health conditions and presents them in clear, accessible language.

As a psychologist, my professional focus is solely on providing therapy, diagnosis, and assessment.

I do not prescribe medication. Only medical providers with a nursing or medical degree, such as psychiatrists, primary care doctors, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants, are licensed to prescribe medications. If we determine that medication might be helpful, I can assist you in finding an appropriate prescriber and coordinate care as needed.

My rate for individual therapy is comparable with other empirically-trained doctoral level practitioners in California.

Please contact me directly for further information about my rate.

At this time, my private practice is not contracted with any insurance panels and does not bill insurance. While I am an out-of-network provider, many insurance plans offer a percentage of reimbursement for out of network services.

Upon request, I can provide you with a “superbill” or invoice for services rendered, so that you may submit a claim for reimbursement to your insurance provider.

Please contact your insurance provider to learn more about your specific benefits, including how to file claims for services.

You may refer to the FAQ below for guidance on what questions to ask of your insurance provider to determine your specific out-of-network benefits.

Note: I do see clients in-network with Aetna through California Psychology Center (CPC). If you're an Aetna member, please contact CPC directly to inquire about openings in my schedule.

When working with an out-of-network therapist, it’s important to understand your coverage and reimbursement options. Here are some key questions to ask your insurance provider:

1. What percentage of the session cost will be reimbursed for out-of-network therapy?

   • Ask how much of the cost will be covered by your insurance, as some plans reimburse a percentage of the session fee, but may have a capped rate. For example, your insurance provider may say they reimburse 70% of the out-of-network session fee, but have a capped rate of $150 a session, which may be lower than your therapist’s total rate.

2. What is the maximum allowable rate for out-of-network therapy sessions?

   • Insurance companies may have a maximum rate they will reimburse, which may be lower than your therapist's fee. It’s important to know if the therapist’s rate exceeds this amount.

3. Do I need to meet a deductible before receiving reimbursement?

   • Check if your plan has an out-of-network deductible, and if so, how much you need to pay out-of-pocket before insurance starts reimbursing you. Ask if your deductible has been met this year.

4. How do I submit a claim for reimbursement and is there a deadline to submit?

   • Ask about the process for submitting a claim for reimbursement and whether your insurance has a deadline to submit claims (usually insurance providers have a deadline of one year, following the clinician visit, to submit claims).

5. Is pre-authorization required for out-of-network therapy?

   • Some insurance plans require pre-authorization or pre-approval for therapy sessions. Check if this is necessary and how to obtain it.

6. Are there any limitations on the number of therapy sessions covered out-of-network?

   • Find out if there are any limits to the number of therapy sessions or any restrictions on the type of therapy you can receive.

7. What information or documentation will I need to provide when submitting a claim?

   • Ensure you understand the necessary paperwork or documentation required for a claim, such as session dates, diagnosis codes, and therapist credentials.

8. Are there any out-of-pocket costs I should be aware of?

   • Inquire about any co-pays, co-insurance, or other out-of-pocket costs you may incur when working with an out-of-network therapist.

9. How long will it take to process my claim and receive reimbursement?

   • Ask about the timeline for claim processing and reimbursement, so you know when to expect payments.

10. Are telehealth appointments reimbursed at the same rate as in-person appointments?

    • Some insurance providers may have different reimbursement rates for telehealth and in-person appointments. Knowing what this rate is can help you better plan your care.

I believe that therapy is most impactful when I honor each person’s unique social, cultural, psychological and biological background, with a values-affirming, collaborative and empathic stance.

Accordingly, I draw from a variety of evidence-based psychotherapies, including behavioral therapies like CBT and CPT, third-wave psychotherapies like DBT and ACT, and more structured therapies like EMDR, and Prolonged Exposure in order to find the right fit for each of my clients.

In addition, creating a safe and warm environment that recognizes my clients’ intersectional and cultural identities is foundational to my therapeutic process and goal of fostering growth, empowerment and healing.

Learn more about my approach to psychotherapy here.

I work with adults (age 18+) from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences. This includes high-achieving professionals, students, neurodivergent individuals, LGBTQIA+ clients, caretakers, newly immigrated and first-generation individuals.

I specialize in working with clients navigating:

• anxiety

• depression

• trauma

• life transitions (e.g. divorce, loss and grief)

• life stressors (e.g. job and career stress, relationship challenges)

• identity exploration (e.g. exploration of gender identity, exploration of values, exploration of sexual orientation)

• stress related to marginalization or systemic inequities.

To learn more about my clinical specialties click here.

Finding the right therapist is an important part of the healing process. A good fit often means feeling understood, respected, and comfortable showing up as your full self in therapy. In our early sessions, we'll explore what brings you to therapy, what you're hoping to get out of it, and how I can support you. You’ll also get a sense of my style, how I listen, ask questions, offer reflections, and collaborate with you.

I encourage you to pay attention to how you feel during and after sessions. Do you feel safe, seen, and supported? Do you feel like we’re working toward goals that matter to you? Therapy is a personal process, and it’s completely okay to take time to assess whether this relationship feels right for you.

If at any point you’re unsure or feel your needs might be better served elsewhere, I’m happy to talk openly about that and help you find someone who might be a better fit. Your comfort and growth are what matter most.

Yes, absolutely! Finding the right fit is essential, and I offer a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation so we can get a sense of whether working together feels like a good match.

During the consultation, I’ll ask a few questions to better understand your needs, such as:

• What brings you to therapy?

• What are you hoping to work on or achieve through therapy?

• Have you had prior therapy or mental health support?

• Are there any specific preferences you have in a therapist (e.g., style, approach, identity)?

• We may also discuss logistics, such as my rate, scheduling, session frequency and duration etc.

Phone consultations are also an opportunity for you to get to know me better and assess whether I’m the right fit for you. Questions you can ask me include:

• What is your therapeutic approach or style?

• Have you worked with people who have similar concerns?

• What does a typical session look like?

• Do you offer virtual or in-person sessions?

• What are your fees and policies?

This conversation is low-pressure and designed to help both of us determine whether it feels like a good fit.

Feel free to reach out to schedule your consultation.

Standard psychotherapy sessions with me are approximately 50 minutes in length. This is sometimes referred to as a "therapy hour."

In certain cases, such as trauma-focused treatments like EMDR or Prolonged Exposure, longer sessions may be recommended and can be discussed based on your individual needs and treatment goals.

If you're ever unsure whether a longer session might be appropriate, we can explore that together in the course of therapy.

Most clients start with weekly sessions, which helps build momentum, rapport and consistency, especially in the early stages of therapy. That said, session frequency is tailored to your needs, goals, and availability. As clients progress in their therapy goals, they may shift from weekly to every-other-week (or less frequent sessions over time), while others may benefit from meeting more than once a week, particularly during challenging periods.

We’ll discuss what feels right for you and can adjust as needed over the course of our work together.

The length of therapy varies depending on your goals, the concerns you’re working through, and your preferences. Some people seek short-term therapy (~6-12 weeks) to focus on a specific issue (e.g. improving the quality of their sleep), while others engage in longer-term work (13+ weeks) to explore deeper patterns, process complex experiences, or support ongoing growth and self-understanding.

We’ll regularly check in about your progress and evolving needs so that therapy continues to feel meaningful and aligned with your goals. Ultimately, the pace and duration are up to you and we’ll collaborate to make sure it feels right.

At this time, I offer psychotherapy exclusively via secure telehealth (video) sessions. I use a HIPAA-compliant platform called Simple Practice to meet with clients virtually. As my client, you’ll receive automated email and text reminders before each session, along with a secure, unique link to connect.

Yes. I am bilingual in English and Spanish and offer psychotherapy in Spanish.

Cancellation requests that are within 48-hours of the scheduled appointment will be charged a late cancellation fee for the full amount of the session.

This policy is in place because your appointment time is reserved just for you. Late cancellations often cannot be filled on short notice and providing advanced notice of a cancellation allows me to offer your slot to another client in need of support.

The cancellation fee may be waived if the appointment is rescheduled for the same week subject to provider availability. 

Please note that no-show fees are never waived and are charged at the full session rate.  

To cancel or reschedule an appointment, please email me at draguirre@drlizaguirre.com. This is my preferred method of communication, as I am often in session and unable to answer the phone.

You’re also welcome to call me at 415-843-1003. If I’m unavailable, feel free to leave a voicemail, and I’ll return your call as soon as I can.