Sand Chang, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Services
Here is a list of services that I provide:
Individual psychotherapy for adults and adolescents
Relationship therapy and coaching for couples and multiple partners
Group therapy and skills training
Supervision for mental health professionals in training
Psychodiagnostic assessment
Consultation
Didactic trainings and workshops
Diversity training
What to Expect
Chances are that this is a time in your life when you are feeling ready to make certain changes, get support in dealing with your problems, or strive for personal growth. It can be a courageous step to reach out to a mental health professional and initiate starting therapy. If you have never been in therapy before, the process can be a little anxiety-provoking or even a bit scary. If you have been in therapy before, you may carry with you those previous experiences, both positive and negative, and starting with someone new can also be a challenge.
My hope is that the information on this page will prepare you to make the best decisions for yourself and ease into the therapy process as comfortably as possible.
The first thing that is important to know is that therapy is based on the relationship between the therapist and the client. A good "fit" is dependent on a lot of factors, including your reasons for seeking therapy, personality and cultural factors, and practical issues such as availability and financial concerns. I encourage you to be a proactive and informed consumer. You may want to "shop around" a little by setting up first appointments with a few different therapists to see which seems like the best fit for you.
An initial appointment with me is usually preceded by a brief initial phone conversation to see what you are hoping for at this time and if I can best meet your needs. If I think there may be someone better suited to help you, I may refer you to another qualified and respected professional.
Before the first appointment, I will ask you to arrive at my office 15-20 minutes early to give you adequate time to complete the initial paperwork. My paperwork consists of basic information that I will need from you including contact and background information, reasons for seeking therapy, and your informed consent for me to treat you in the psychotherapy process.
When your appointment time arrives, I will greet you in the waiting room and we will return to my office to review the paperwork you have filled out, discuss your treatment needs, and answer questions that either of us may have to assess if this is the right fit. We will also discuss practical issues such as payment, confidentiality, cancellations, and phone calls between appointments, to name a few. At the end of the session, which is 50 minutes, I will collect your payment.
I ask that all new clients commit to at least 4-6 weeks of consistent, weekly sessions, since the beginning of our work together really sets the stage for the rest of your psychotherapy process. My preference is that we commit to the same time each week to ensure the best basis for consistency, safety, and trust. I will be as flexible as my schedule allows, but in my experience consistency is one of the key factors in a successful therapy relationship and outcome.
Please feel free to call me at (510) 686-5000 with any questions or if you would like to set up an appointment. I look forward to hearing from you.
My hope is that the information on this page will prepare you to make the best decisions for yourself and ease into the therapy process as comfortably as possible.
The first thing that is important to know is that therapy is based on the relationship between the therapist and the client. A good "fit" is dependent on a lot of factors, including your reasons for seeking therapy, personality and cultural factors, and practical issues such as availability and financial concerns. I encourage you to be a proactive and informed consumer. You may want to "shop around" a little by setting up first appointments with a few different therapists to see which seems like the best fit for you.
An initial appointment with me is usually preceded by a brief initial phone conversation to see what you are hoping for at this time and if I can best meet your needs. If I think there may be someone better suited to help you, I may refer you to another qualified and respected professional.
Before the first appointment, I will ask you to arrive at my office 15-20 minutes early to give you adequate time to complete the initial paperwork. My paperwork consists of basic information that I will need from you including contact and background information, reasons for seeking therapy, and your informed consent for me to treat you in the psychotherapy process.
When your appointment time arrives, I will greet you in the waiting room and we will return to my office to review the paperwork you have filled out, discuss your treatment needs, and answer questions that either of us may have to assess if this is the right fit. We will also discuss practical issues such as payment, confidentiality, cancellations, and phone calls between appointments, to name a few. At the end of the session, which is 50 minutes, I will collect your payment.
I ask that all new clients commit to at least 4-6 weeks of consistent, weekly sessions, since the beginning of our work together really sets the stage for the rest of your psychotherapy process. My preference is that we commit to the same time each week to ensure the best basis for consistency, safety, and trust. I will be as flexible as my schedule allows, but in my experience consistency is one of the key factors in a successful therapy relationship and outcome.
Please feel free to call me at (510) 686-5000 with any questions or if you would like to set up an appointment. I look forward to hearing from you.
