Do I need a diagnosis or a “big problem” to start therapy?

No. Therapy is for everyone. Many people begin because something feels off: anxiety, disconnection, feeling overwhelmed, repeating relationship patterns, or the sense that life looks functional on the outside but doesn’t match what they feel inside. You don’t need to have the perfect explanation to begin.

What kind of concerns do you help with?

We work with children, adolescents, teens, adults, and relationships navigating:

• anxiety, stress, overthinking, and emotional reactivity
• depression, burnout, numbness, and self-criticism
• life transitions, grief, identity questions, and existential uncertainty
• relational conflict, disconnection, trust injuries, and difficulty with repair
• boundaries, communication, and repeating relational dynamics

If you’re unsure whether your situation fits, that’s exactly what the consultation is for.

Do you offer a consultation?

Yes, we offer free 15-minute consultations to help you decide whether we’re a fit and what next steps might look like.

How do I choose the right therapist?

If you’re unsure, we can help you match based on goals, preferences (including identity/affirming needs), availability, and budget.

What does therapy actually look like?

Therapy at A Life Examined is thoughtful, direct, and collaborative. We’ll identify internal and relational patterns, clarify what maintains them, and practice changes that translate into daily life: decisions, boundaries, communication, and repair. Alongside the practical work, we make room for the deeper existential themes that often sit underneath: meaning, identity, responsibility, freedom, grief, mortality, and connection.

What is relational therapy?

Relational therapy is therapy with partners, families, and other relationship structures. It focuses on the patterns between people (such as communication, conflict cycles, emotional needs, boundaries, and repair) without reducing the work to “who is right.” The goal is to understand what’s happening between you and build change that holds up in real life.

What is existential therapy?

Existential therapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on the questions underneath many symptoms: meaning, identity, freedom, responsibility, grief, mortality, and connection. Rather than treating you as a problem to be “fixed,” it helps you explore what’s true about your experience and how you want to live in response. In practice, this often includes identifying patterns (internally and relationally), clarifying values, working with avoidance and fear, and making changes that lead to a life that feels more honest and intentional.

Is your practice telehealth-only?

Yes, we provide telehealth-only therapy for patients who are physically located in California at the time of the session. Sessions take place through a secure video platform.

What if I’m traveling?

Because all clinicians here are licensed/registered in California, sessions can only occur when you are physically in California at the time of session. If you travel frequently, we can discuss how to plan around that during the consultation.

What are your fees?

This is a private pay practice.

Dr. Chaffin’s fees are:

• Individual: $300
• Relational/family: $350

Associate fees vary by clinician. We’ll confirm current rates during consultation.

Do you take insurance?

We do not bill insurance directly. If you have out-of-network benefits, we can provide a superbill upon request for possible reimbursement. Because plans vary, it can help to contact your insurance provider to ask about out-of-network mental health benefits.

How often will we meet?

Most patients begin with weekly sessions to build momentum and establish consistency. As goals become clearer and patterns shift, we can adjust frequency in a way that fits your needs and capacity.

What is your cancellation policy?

If you need to reschedule or cancel, we ask for at least 24 hours notice. Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice will be charged the full session fee. This policy supports consistency in the work and reserves your time specifically for you.

How do I get started?

The first step is to book a free consultation. Please email us a brief message, including:

• whether you’re seeking individual or relational/family therapy
• a few sentences about who you are and what’s bringing you in
• your preferred days/times
• whether you’re looking for weekly or every-other-week sessions
• your preferred therapist (if any)

How soon will you respond?

We will typically respond within 1-2 business days.

Are you accepting new patients?

Availability changes. The consultation is the fastest way to determine whether we have openings and whether we’re a fit.