| Office: |
HigherChange LLC
7201 Wisconsin Avenue
Suite 440
Bethesda, MD 20814
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| Phone: |
240-342-6338
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| Cell Phone: |
(240) 342-6338
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| E-mail: |
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| Web Site: |
www.higherchange.com
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| Profession: |
Marriage and Family Therapist
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| Services: |
Psychotherapy/Counseling
Telehealth (Video/Phone) Therapy
Coaching
Employee Assistance Counseling
Mediation
Psychological Testing
Relationship Assessment or Evaluation
Couples Therapy
Marriage Counseling or Enrichment
Group Workshops
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| Practice Description: |
 | At this time due to the coronavirus pandemic, we offer online video conferencing or “teletherapy" through a HIPAA-compliant and encrypted video conferencing platform. I'm also offering a special discount of 20% off for online telehealth appointments due to the current pandemic and economic situation. |
Do you want a 'tune-up' for your relationship? Or, are you struggling with relationships? If you were hurt in the past, whether it was rejection, a loss or abuse, this may prevent you from being able to open up emotionally or intimately with other people. This may result in struggling with relationships.
If there is one thing I wish you would take away from an encounter with me, it would be that you are precious and valuable--that's why I call my approach 'Treasure Therapy.' You have inherent dignity and value. My passion is 'engaging in deeper encounters that lead people to hope, worth, meaning and healing.' I am passionate about whole-person healing, involving all parts of yourself. Please join me in your journey to discover the rich treasures inside of you.
HigherChange LLC seeks to create a “higher change” in your life by providing whole-person counseling for individuals, couples, and families. This means that we care about all aspects of your wellness, in the context of your relationships.
When it comes to your most important relationships, you need someone with experience. I am a licensed (clinical) marriage and family therapist in California (LMFT 111604) and Maryland (LCMFT, #LCM754). While there are many good associates out there, I have a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy, and have been counseling individuals, couples, families and groups since 2007 and have accrued over 3,000 hours of experience under a qualified supervisor. I am now approved by Maryland to offer supervision to other therapists in training, and I'm also working towards becoming an AAMFT-endorsed supervisor and certifying as a sex therapist.
Outside of doing therapy, I am also an assistant professor of counseling at a small university. I have been happily married for over a decade, am in an interracial relationship, and a proud father of an energetic toddler! As a parent myself, I know how important it is to find someone who has lived experience with juggling the demands of marriage, work, and raising children.
I also offer workshops and seminars and present for churches and small group ministries. While I use an evidence-based approach to therapy, I offer you the option of integrating faith and spirituality as part of your overall care, since I am a former pastor. However, I work with anyone regardless of your faith tradition or your life choices and will work with you using your beliefs. I respect your freedom, beliefs, commitments, and convictions.
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Practice Specialties or Interests:
(Strengths are
in bold text) |
Relationship Issues
Addictions
Spirituality
Anger Management
Anxiety Disorders/Phobias
Co-dependency
Crisis/Trauma
Depression
Divorce/Dissolution
Gender Identity
Grief/Loss
Infidelity
Men's Issues
Personal Growth
Personality Disorders
PTSD
Self-esteem
Sexual Abuse
Sexual Dysfunction
Stress Management
Substance Abuse
Dating
Marital enrichment
Pre-marital counseling
Sexual intimacy
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| Age Specialties: |
Adolescents
Adults
Elders
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| Session Formats: |
Individual
Couples
Family
Group
Workshops and Seminars
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| Treatment Approaches: |
Biopsychosocial
Christian
Cognitive/Cognitive-Behavioral
Existential/Humanistic
Experiential
Family Systems
Feminist
Gestalt
Integrative
Interpersonal
Multicultural
Narrative
Play Therapy
Psychodrama
Psychoeducational
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Somatic
Emotionally-Focused Therapy
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| Additional Demographic Expertise: |
Asian American
Christian
Conservative religions (Christian, Muslim, Judaism, Seventh-day Adventist)
Sex-positive, BDSM, kink, etc.
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| Education: |
BA, Andrews University, 2006
MS - Marriage & Family Therapy
Loma Linda University, 2010
PhD - Marriage & Family Therapy
Loma Linda University, 2016
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| License #: |
LCM754 |
| License State: |
Maryland |
| Additional Licenses/ Certifications: |
I am a licensed (clinical) marriage and family therapist in California (LMFT 111604) and Maryland (LCMFT, #LCM754).
Certificate in Drug and Alcohol Counseling, from Loma Linda University |
| Professional Affiliations: |
 | American Association of Marriage & Family Therapists (AAMFT) | | California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists (CAMFT) | | Metro Marriage and Family Therapists Inc (DC area) |
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| Fee Schedule: |
NOTE:
I'm offering a special discount of 20% off for online telehealth sessions due to the current pandemic and economic situation.
Our usual rate is $112 for an individual session and $144 per 45 minutes of couples therapy. For those on a limited income and who do not have insurance, I offer a sliding scale that compares your family income with U.S. Federal Poverty Guidelines. (See below.)
FEE DETAILS:
* For individuals, weekly appointments for individuals last 45-50 minutes (one 'therapy hour'), for a standard financial investment of $112 (unless you are using a sliding scale). Because our first "intake" appointment lasts 75-80 minutes (one and a half 'therapy hours'), the first session is $188.
* For family therapy involving a parent relationship, sessions last 45 minutes for an investment of $144.
* For couples therapy, we require a minimum of 90-100 minutes (two 'therapy hours') for each session to ensure that you have adequate time for both partners to talk and cover enough ground for you to accomplish your goals. For couples, your financial investment is $144 per 45 minutes, or $288.
It's important to weigh all of your alternatives. However, consider your relationships to be your most important investments, and you want the best experience.
SLIDING SCALE DISCOUNTED FEE
For those who cannot afford our standard fees, do not use insurance, and do not involve us in legal proceedings, if we have opens slots, we may offer an adjustable sliding scale fee based on comparing your income to the U.S. Federal Poverty Level according to the most recent US Poverty Guidelines (https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines):
Sliding Discounted Fee for 45 minutes of Family Therapy
0% – 100% of U.S. Federal Poverty Level = US $40 (We cannot go lower)
101% – 125% of U.S. Federal Poverty Level = US $50
126% – 150% of U.S. Federal Poverty Level = US $60
151% – 175% of U.S. Federal Poverty Level = US $70
176% – 200% of U.S. Federal Poverty Level = US $80 (50% discount)
Greater than 200% of U.S. Federal Poverty Level = Pay full rate
However, please note that for couples therapy, a minimum of 90 minutes (the fee x 2) is required for our first session due to the extensive nature of the intake process for two people. |
| Accepted Insurance: |
CIGNA
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| Insurance and Billing Instructions: |
Please call for insurance information. Payments are accepted through our secure, online portal at www.higherchange.com where you can view invoices. |
| Office Hours: |
See website for current hours |
| Additional Comments: |
TELEHEALTH
Our office is based in Maryland. For residents of California and Singapore, we only offer online video conferencing or “teletherapy.” Maryland residents may also choose teletherapy instead of an in-person visit.
HOW TO START
If you are ready for a “Higher Change,” then book a new appointment with me at our website at: www.HigherChange.com or call us at +1 (240) 342-6338. |
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| Additional Information |
| In Practice Since: 2007 | | Gender: Male | | Accepting New Clients: Yes | | Sliding Fee Scale: Yes | | Prescribe Medication: No | | Wheelchair Accessible: Yes | | Public Transportation: Yes |
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