Each health insurance plan has a different deductible, so this is another great thing to ask your insurance provider about. They will be able to tell you what your deductible is and how far you are from meeting it.
The average session is 50 minutes long. However, you can expect the first session to be approximately 1.5 hours long for individuals and 2 hours long for couples. The extended initial session provides us with enough time to review any precipitating events that brought you to seek therapy, your own relevant history, and your hopes for our work together.
On average, I will meet with clients once per week for the first 1-3 months. After that, sessions are reduced accordingly based on my therapeutic assessment and our progress together. Session frequency can also be increased depending on the needs of the client and the severity of their symptoms.
Yes. On occasion, a client may want/need to be seen twice per week for a short period of time. If a client needs to be seen more than twice per week, they may be referred out for a higher level of care.
For best results, it is best to be seen once per week initially. However, circumstances or availability may require that we meet less often. On average, after the first 1-3 months, sessions will be reduced to every other week, then once per month. The timing of this varies from client to client and is mutually decided upon.
Teletherapy increases general accessibility to my services, accommodates those with specific preferences or limitations, and adapts to the ever-changing variables of our world today. Studies have shown that virtual therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy. You are also given the agency to create a space that feels safe and comfortable to you, which is crucial to our work together.
Because I am not tethered to a physical office, I am able to serve a much broader geographic area. My services are available to anyone in the state of California.
Yes. We will meet on TherapyNotes, which provides a HIPAA compliant encrypted platform designed for telehealth services. All laws and client rights regarding protected health information still apply, regardless of the format of services provided.
If you are still unsure if teletherapy is right for you, contact me here and we can discuss your specific concerns.
Dual Masters in Social Work & Masters of Science, Criminal Justice (Loma Linda University, June 2012)
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology (University of California, Riverside, June 2005)
Modern Sex Therapy Institute (Currently attending)
American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (Member)
Yes. Sex, sexuality, intimacy, identity, trust, and communication all have a hand in the success of our relationships. Providing the option of multi-person therapy falls in line with the care and support I aim to provide.
No. The therapy I provide is designed for individuals navigating modern adulthood.
Crystal Schmidt is an LCSW (license # 74816) and Certified Sex Therapist committed to helping you cultivate your pleasure. Her virtual services extend to California residents, and she is poly, kink, and LBGTQ+ affirmative.