Office Hours
Open: M-F 8am - 7pm
Call Us:
(858) 215-2319
e-mail:
info@groundedrootsmht.com
We know how important it is to feel seen and understood. That’s why we encourage you to take a moment to read through each of our therapist bios. We’ve included not just our specialties, but also a bit about who we are as people, so you can get a feel for who might be the best fit for you. Whether you’re navigating trauma, identity exploration, ADHD, anxiety, or something you’re still trying to name, we want you to know that you don’t have to explain everything from scratch. You deserve to work with someone who gets it, and we’re here to help you find that connection.
Feeling emotionally safe is one of the most important parts of starting therapy, and you should never feel bad about shopping around. We encourage you to meet with different therapists until you find someone you feel truly comfortable with. All of our clinicians are client-centered, which means we meet you where you are without judgment, and we want you to show up as your most authentic self. That helps us not only tailor therapy to fit you, but also guide you toward the most supportive and appropriate care. In addition to honoring ethical and professional boundaries, our team is committed to respecting your personal, cultural, and spiritual values. Our clinicians regularly engage in cultural competency training because we believe safety, inclusion, and respect aren’t optional, they’re foundational.
We get this question a lot! Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all, and different approaches work better for different people. That’s why we encourage you to explore our therapist bios and our therapy modalities page. Each of our clinicians brings a unique blend of experience and training, using evidence-based (science-backed) approaches like EMDR, CBT, somatic therapy, psychodynamic work, and more.
The kind of therapy you’ll receive depends on you, your goals, your personality, and how you process things. If you’re looking for structure, tools, and strategies, we’ve got you. If you need more space to explore and reflect, we can support that too. In most cases, it’s a mix, structured where needed, open where it matters, and always personalized. Our therapists are trained to adapt their style to meet you where you are, and help you get where you want to go.
Our standard rate is $150 per session, and we do accept several major insurance plans, including IEHP, United Healthcare, Optum, Magellan, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, Tricare, Carelon, and Aetna. If you’re planning to use insurance, we’re happy to help verify your benefits and walk you through the process.
We also understand that life can be unpredictable, and finances sometimes shift. That’s why we offer a limited number of sliding scale spots to support clients who are navigating temporary financial hardship. If cost ever becomes a barrier to continuing care, we encourage you to speak with your therapist so we can explore options together.
Everyone’s journey in therapy is different, and there’s no one size fits all timeline. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t start noticing meaningful changes. Some people begin to feel a sense of relief early on, just from having a safe space to talk and be heard. For others, especially when working through deeper patterns or trauma, it can take more time and consistency to feel real shifts.
“Feeling better” might look like fewer emotional crashes, clearer boundaries, improved self-talk, or just more trust in yourself. What matters most is that we’ll work together to define what better means for you, and check in along the way to make sure you’re moving toward it. Therapy isn’t meant to last forever; it’s meant to support you while you heal, grow, and get grounded in the version of yourself you want to become.
The right therapist should feel like someone you can be real with, without pressure to perform, explain, or hide parts of yourself. You might not click instantly, but over time, you should feel seen, respected, and supported. A good fit doesn’t mean you’ll always feel comfortable (growth can be messy), but it does mean you feel emotionally safe and that your therapist truly gets you.
We encourage you to pay attention to how you feel during and after sessions: Do you leave feeling clearer, more grounded, or gently challenged? Do you feel like your therapist listens without judgment and honors your values? If something feels off, that’s valid too, and we’ll support you in finding someone who’s a better fit. You deserve a space where you feel fully met.
“How would you describe your style as a therapist?”
“What kind of therapy do you use, and how do you decide which tools to bring in?”
“How do you usually handle it if a client says something really personal or vulnerable?”
“What happens if I’m not ready to talk about something right away?”
“Do you usually guide sessions, or do clients bring in what they want to talk about?”
“How do you help clients track progress over time?”
“Have you worked with people who have similar struggles to mine?”
“What can I expect from you if I’m feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about therapy?”
“How do you make space for different cultural or spiritual values in therapy?”
“What are your thoughts on setting boundaries in the therapy relationship?”
It’s completely valid to want a therapist who understands your lived experience; whether that means shared cultural background, neurodivergence, gender identity, parenting status, faith journey, or just someone who gets the kind of challenges you’re facing. Our team includes therapists with a wide range of training, identities, and specialties, and we’re intentional about helping you find someone who feels like a good match.
Each therapist has a dedicated page where you can learn more about who they are, what they specialize in, and the types of clients they feel most aligned to support. Take your time reading through their approaches and backgrounds, you might just find someone whose story or style resonates with yours.
Yes, therapy is confidential, and your privacy is something we take very seriously. That means what you share in session stays between you and your therapist. However, there are a few important exceptions under California law. We are legally required to break confidentiality if:
You are at serious risk of harming yourself or someone else,
We suspect abuse or neglect of a child, dependent adult, or elder, or
We are subpoenaed by a judge with a court order.
If you are using insurance, it’s also important to know that insurance companies have the right to request your records for auditing or medical necessity reviews. This doesn’t mean they read everything, but they may ask for documentation to approve continued care. Some therapist have short-hand and write things cryptically just for this reason.
Outside of those situations, no one can access your records without your written consent through a signed release of information. Even if someone (like a lawyer, family member, or employer) requests your records, we cannot release them without your permission. Only a judge can compel the release of therapy notes, and even then, we may be able to advocate for limited disclosure depending on the situation. Legally and ethically, the therapist is the custodian of the notes. So if your ex’s lawyer subpoenas the notes, we ignore it. If someone calls about your therapy, we don’t answer or call back.
Additionally, it’s best practice for therapists to consult with trusted clinical peers to ensure we’re staying on track and providing the best possible care. This is called consultation and it is designed to make sure we are working within our standard of care. When we do this, we never share identifying details or names, just the general themes or challenges, so your privacy is still fully protected.
That’s completely ok, and actually really common. You don’t need to have the perfect words or a plan when you come to therapy. Some days you might have a lot to process, and other days you might just feel stuck, numb, or unsure where to start. That’s part of the work, too.
Your therapist is there to help guide the conversation, ask thoughtful questions, and hold space for whatever you’re feeling (even if it’s confusion or silence). Sometimes we start by just noticing what’s showing up in the moment, like how you’re feeling in your body, or what’s been on your mind lately. You’re never expected to carry the whole conversation. Therapy is a shared space, and it’s okay to just be until the words come.
Therapy can look a little different depending on your therapist’s style and the type of support you’re seeking. At its core, a session is a space that’s just for you. It’s where you get to talk openly about what’s going on in your life, whether it’s past trauma, current stress, relationship patterns, or even just the feeling that something’s off.
Some sessions may feel more structured, especially if you’re working on specific goals or using evidence-based approaches like EMDR, CBT, or mindfulness. Others might be more open and exploratory, giving you space to reflect, process, and go at your own pace. Your therapist might offer tools, ask reflective questions, or just sit with you in what you’re feeling.
There’s no “right way” to do therapy. We tailor each session to what you need, whether that’s clarity, coping skills, deep healing, or simply a place to feel heard.