Therapy for founders: frequently asked questions
Between meetings? Here are the short answers.
Getting started
How do I know if therapy is right for me right now?
If you’ve been asking yourself that question, it probably is. The free 15-minute consultation is designed to help you figure that out without any commitment.
What is the difference between therapy and coaching?
Coaching focuses on performance and goal-setting. Therapy goes deeper, addressing the patterns, emotions, and experiences that shape how you operate. Many founders benefit from both.
How do I find a therapist who understands founders and startups?
Look for a licensed clinician (an LPCC, LMFT, LCSW or psychologist) who works with founders regularly, not just high achievers in general. In a consultation, ask how they think about fundraising pressure, co-founder dynamics and the identity side of building a company. That’s exactly what the free 15-minute call is for.
What happens in the first session?
We start with what’s most pressing for you right now, talk through what’s brought you in, and decide together what the work should focus on and how often to meet.
Individual therapy
How long does therapy usually take?
It depends on what you’re working on. Some clients come for a focused stretch of a few months; others longer. We go as long as it’s useful.
Is everything confidential?
Yes, protected by standard therapeutic privilege, with narrow legal exceptions explained at the start.
Could anything I share reach my investors, board or team?
No. What you share in therapy stays between us. I don’t confirm to investors, your board, your co-founder or your team that you’re a client, or share anything you tell me, without your written consent. The only exceptions are the narrow ones required by law, which I explain in our first session.
Co-founder sessions
What is co-founder conflict resolution?
Structured therapy for two or more people in a founding partnership experiencing tension, communication breakdown, or eroding trust.
Should my co-founder and I both join the consultation call?
Yes. It’s better if you both join the consultation and the first session. Some later sessions may be individual.
What if we’re already considering splitting up?
That’s one of the most common reasons founders come in. The work helps you decide whether the partnership is salvageable and, if not, how to separate fairly.
Fees & logistics
How much does therapy for founders cost in San Francisco?
Individual therapy is $325 per one-hour session, and co-founder sessions are $475 per hour. I’m private pay and provide a superbill on request, which many clients submit for out-of-network reimbursement. The first 15-minute call is free.
Do you take insurance?
I’m private pay. Many clients use out-of-network benefits or FSA/HSA funds, and I provide a superbill.
Do you work with people outside San Francisco?
Yes. Telehealth across California, including Oakland, Palo Alto, Marin and the South Bay. I’m also licensed in Minnesota and New York.
Where is your office?
220 Montgomery St #600, San Francisco, CA 94104, in the Financial District.
Do you offer early-morning, evening or weekend sessions?
Yes. I offer early-morning, evening and weekend sessions, so therapy can fit around board meetings, launches and a founder’s schedule.
Can we still meet when I’m traveling?
If you’re traveling to New York or Minnesota, we can keep our regular session times, since I’m licensed in both states. I’m not licensed in other U.S. states, so if you’re traveling somewhere else we’ll pause and pick back up when you’re home. If you’re traveling outside the country, we’ll talk it through case by case, since it depends on where you’ll be.