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Individual therapy · San Francisco & CaliforniaIndividual therapy with me: what it actually looks like
Starting therapy is hard, and most people do it at one of the harder moments of their lives. You've probably scrolled directories, maybe called your insurance, and you're still not sure what happens once you actually book. Here's the whole path, start to finish, so nothing is a surprise.
I'm Aaron Martin, LMFT. I see individuals, from ninth grade up, on video anywhere in California.
Aaron Martin, LMFT · Video sessions · California
How it works
Book a free 20-minute call.
I'll ask two things: why now, and what you'd want to be different eight months from today. By the end we'll both know if this is a fit.
Decide, then the paperwork.
You have 72 business hours to decide. If it's a yes, I send intake paperwork, which takes about 30 minutes to do thoughtfully. Then we book your first session and your weekly time, usually within a week and a half of the call.
The work.
Weekly sessions on video. Most people work with me for five to seven months. Early on we turn what you want to be different into goals we can both point back to when things blow us off course. That's the North Star of the work.
How I work
I was trained psychodynamically and relationally, which mostly means I'm good at building a relationship fast. Clients tell me that by session two they're saying things they held back from their last therapist. On top of that I use CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). We look at how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors feed each other, figure out what's helpful and what's harmful, and decide what you want more of and less of.
People are usually surprised by how much we laugh. I love a good cackle before we get into what was just said. I'll know your pop culture references. I'm animated and my face tells you everything I'm thinking. I'm warm when you need it, and I'll give the gentle challenge when you're getting in your own way.
The two things people are most afraid of
Being vulnerable
Opening up to someone and having them listen without judgment. Sometimes even a simple reflection from me, like "it must feel so overwhelming when you're in the middle of a spiral," brings up tears. People are so used to judging that part of themselves that a sliver of compassion can feel new.
Feeling your feelings
When I see a tough emotion flicker by - sadness, fear, shame, guilt - I'll slow the session down and put it under the microscope. Most people sit in it for about five seconds and move on, and I let them. Then I circle back: "What was it like to say that out loud?" What I'm modeling is that we can feel hard emotions without being hijacked by them.
Fees and insurance
Full fee
$225 per session
Sliding scale
Starting at $150
In-network
Aetna, UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Out-of-network: I provide a superbill you can submit for reimbursement. Before you start, ask your insurer whether you have out-of-network mental health benefits, how much they cover per session, and whether you've met your deductible.
Who I see, and who I don't
Who I see
Individuals from ninth grade up. Most of my clients are gay men and trans, queer, and nonbinary folks dealing with anxiety.
Who I don't
Couples or families. I'm not the right fit if you're in crisis or have recently attempted suicide or been hospitalized, or if you're drinking every day rather than on a big night out. If you're on medication, I'm happy to consult with your prescriber.
Questions people ask before booking
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Yes. Twenty minutes, on video, no charge.
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Usually about a week and a half from the consult, depending on how fast the paperwork comes back and what's open on my calendar.
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No. Everything is on video, which is how I can see people anywhere in California.
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It happens. I go out: restaurants, concerts, movies. We'll talk about it in an early session and decide together how we'd handle it.
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Read about me first. Then book when you're ready.
You don't need to have it figured out before you call.
Book the 20-minute call and tell me what's been going on.