The Therapy
Emotional Balance
Experiencing the full range of emotions is a natural part of the human condition. We all have a list of the feelings we would prefer to avoid but they come and go like unwanted guests. Sometimes we get stuck in difficult and painful emotions, such as anxiety and depression. Therapy provides the space to explore emotional patterns and develop new skills to regain and maintain emotional balance.
Behavioral Balance
Humans tend to be creatures of habit. We feel comfortable in engaging in familiar behaviors even when they take us further from our goals. These patterns are often in our blind spot so we are unable to see them. Therapy allows for the non-judgmental exploration of behavioral habits and the cultivation of new adaptive ways of responding to create behavioral balance.
Relational Balance
Many different types of relationships can lose balance. Our relationship to others, to our work and to ourselves (food, exercise, self care) can become unstable. A supportive therapeutic environment allows for identifying and changing relational patterns that are no longer helpful.
The Details
Education and Philosophy
Christine Yarosh has been a licensed clinical psychologist (PSY 16325) for more than 20 years. She earned her BS in Psychology from SUNY Stony Brook, an MEd in Counseling Psychology from The College of William and Mary, and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from The California Institute of Integral Studies. Christine is a member of the APA and is credentialed by The National Register of Health Service Psychologists.
Christine believes in the healing power of the therapeutic relationship as the crucible for clients to see themselves with greater clarity, build on strengths and attain greater life balance. Every client has a unique history, and there is not a "one size fits all" approach to therapy. Christine is able to integrate complementary strategies to offer a highly personalized therapeutic experience.
A certified PNT (Positive Neuroplasticity Training) teacher, Christine understands the power of turning everyday experiences into enduring inner resources. The specific practices for cultivating this type of growth are woven into the ebb and flow of therapy.
Although a native of New York, Christine has lived in the Bay Area for more than 30 years and considers Northern California to be her home. When not in the office, Christine enjoys spending time in the company of her husband and their family of 4-legged companions. She can often be seen running on the local trails. Christine believes that acting in a 'larger-than-self' manner is essential to good mental health. In that vein, she is a patient support volunteer with Hospice of the East Bay and an active volunteer with the Meals on Wheels Friendly Visitor Program.
Services Provided
Individual, couples and small group counseling for adults ages 18 and up.
Now offering PNT coaching services for people who have taken the PNT course or are currently enrolled in a PNT class.
Rates and Insurance
Rates
$200 per 60 minute individual or couples session.
$100 per 30 minute PNT coaching. Six (6), 30 minute coaching sessions for $500.
Cash, Zelle, Venmo and credit card are accepted as forms of payment.
Privacy Policy
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychologist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.
However, there are some exceptions required by law and they include:
-Suspected child, dependent adult or elder abuse. The law requires mandatory reporting to the appropriate authority
-A client threatening serious bodily harm to another person requires police notification
-A client expressing the intention to harm one's self requires the therapist to make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. If the client does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken
Common Questions
How can I benefit from therapy?
Therapy provides a supportive relationship and environment from which you can explore and understand patterns of thinking, feeling and acting that may be taking you away from your life goals. But perhaps more importantly, therapy can help you to develop new adaptive strategies to get you back in balance. The benefits you obtain from therapy are dependent on how you translate and practice what you learn in the context of your everyday life. Ways in which you may benefit from therapy may include:
-Developing a clearer picture of yourself and clarifying your goals and values
-Developing skills for improving your relationship to yourself and others
-Learning new strategies for addressing strong emotions such as depression, grief, anger and anxiety
-Changing maladaptive behavior patterns in order to align your actions with your goals
-Cultivating and practicing a greater compassionate presence
-Changing your relationship to stress
-Finding resolution to the concerns that led you to seek therapy
What is my role in therapy?
People seek therapy for a wide range of issues, but there is a common thread that impacts the effectiveness of therapy for everyone, the power of you. In session it is essential to show up and be present, to be honest and open and to have faith in the process and possibility of change. In your every day life it is important to be curious and observe yourself with non-judgmental awareness. Finally, it is essential that you are willing to engage in the 3 rules of therapy, 1. practice, 2. practice, 3. practice.
How does medication fit in?
With an effective therapist, research shows that psychotherapy works better in the long-term and is more enduring than medication. That being said, there are circumstances where the combination of therapy and medication is clinically appropriate and should be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Do you accept insurance?
I no longer accept direct payment from insurance companies.
I am a fee for service provider and accept cash, check and credit card as payment. I will happily provide clients with a monthly statement which can be submitted to their insurance company for direct reimbursement. Clients should check with their insurance company to determine the following:
-Do I have out-of-network coverage?
-What are my mental health benefits?
-Do I need a referral from my primary care physician?
-How many sessions are covered?
-How much will I be reimbursed for an out-of-network provider?
What is the cancellation and "no show" policy?
Your therapy hour belongs to you. Unlike other types of doctors there are not 3 other treatment rooms filled with clients who have been booked for the same appointment time all clamoring to be seen. The trade-off for being the sole focus of your block of time is that you are required to give 24 hours notice for a cancellation. Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice and "no shows" will be billed for the full cost of the session.