Where is your office?
Our office is in a beautiful, old architecture, newly remodeled building in the Mission district. It’s on Mission Street near 24th. I will give you the address, code to get in the gate, and all the information you need when you sign up for a group or therapy session.
Do you do remote, video chat or phone therapy?
Yes, we offer both in-person and telehealth sessions.
What are your hours?
Our team has hours Monday-Friday, both daytime and evening. Contact us for current availability.
What is your cancellation policy?
We ask for a minimum of 24-hours advanced notice, or we ask that you pay the full fee. This includes being sick or having a personal emergency.
What are your fees?
Licensed Therapist:
Individual 55-minute session – $225
Relationship or Family 55-minute session – $250Associate:
Individual 55- minute session- $180
Relationship or Family 55-minute session- $180
Longer sessions can be accommodated, by request, at a prorated amount based upon the above fee structure.
How and when do I pay?
Most of our clients pay with a debit or credit card through the automated system for ease and so we don’t spend our time in sessions dealing with payment. We can accept Health Savings Account (HSA) cards for payment, as well. Fees are due at the time of service. If you cannot pay the fee at time of service, we ask for a late fee of 20% of session price, if paid within one week of service; 30% of session price thereafter.
Do you take insurance?
We do not accept most insurance. We can provide you with an invoice for services which can be used to draw from an employer-provided health fund or to obtain reimbursement from your insurance company. To find out if your insurance provides reimbursement for therapeutic services, you will need to contact your insurance company directly. Regardless of the outcome of the reimbursement claim, payment in full is due at the time of service.
We recently joined the team at Modern Health, a program that is funded by your company for you to get free therapy sessions. If you’re interested in being matched with us specifically, reach out to the team at Modern Health and ask for Anna McDonald by name. You will have a certain number of sessions allotted for the calendar year, which varies by company plan. If you want more sessions after your number for the year, you can pay us at our regular rate.
Both associates and licensed therapists can take clients under the CalVCB program. Contact us for a consultation and more information if you qualify for CalVCB.
Do you offer a reduced rate or sliding scale?
We believe in social justice, so one-tenth of the slots in our practice are scholarship spots for those in financial need. Documentation of expressed need is required. Contact us regarding availability for these rates.
What type of therapy do you do?
Anna is an eclectic practitioner, who uses many treatment modalities based upon the individual client’s needs.
She is an expressive arts therapist meaning that she uses the arts as therapeutic tools, for expression of emotions, the things that are hard to put into words, and for greater understanding of the self.She uses somatics (body awareness and movement) and mindfulness (being aware of, present with, and accepting of, one’s consciousness).
Additionally, she uses CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and DBT-informed (dialectical behavioral therapy) interventions. CBT focuses on thought patterns and changing them.
DBT focuses on behavioral changes, often involving tracking the harmful behavior, examining triggers or antecedents, and learning ways to intervene before engaging in the harmful behavior. DBT-informed interventions can be supported by attending DBT skills groups, which Anna can refer you to, if full DBT is of interest to you (full DBT includes skills groups, individual therapy, and a support line).
She is also a trained EMDR practitioner. EMDR is a type of therapy used to help reduce distress from traumatic or difficult life experiences.
She also has an interest in narrative therapy, re-writing the predominant story of your life.
All that being said, she works from a place of seeing your strengths, building on what you’re already doing well, and going from there. She’s into feminism and social justice, and she weaves those into her work, as well.
Associates in Anna’s practice will benefit from her education and training, and also have interest and skill in the same or similar areas. Refer to each therapist’s About Me page or schedule a consultation for more information.
I’m not spiritual, or religious. Do we have to talk about God?
Nope! We only talk about spirituality or religion if it means something to you. We have clients who are religious, spiritual, and atheists. It’s all about what matters to you.
I’m worried that if I come to therapy, that means I’m crazy. Is that true? Will I have to come to therapy forever?
Absolutely not! Lots of people come to therapy for a wide variety of reasons. Many don’t even qualify for a mental health diagnosis. You can come for as long as therapy is useful. Sometimes, people come due to a crisis, then stop coming for a while, and come again when something else comes up. It’s all about what you need.
What if I don’t like my therapist?
It’s ok for you to come to a session or two; if you don’t like the therapist who is assigned to you or their style, then we can work to find you a better match or outside referral. It happens. What’s most important is that you find someone with whom you can work. We promise not to get our feelings hurt. 🙂