For adults and teens anywhere in California
Online therapy and EMDR in California
A California therapist, online
I’m Samira Dewidar, a licensed clinical social worker in California and New York and an EMDRIA Certified Therapist. I practiced in Los Angeles before moving my office to New York, and I continue to work with Californians online.
I’m licensed by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, so I can work with anyone who lives in California. Sessions are on HIPAA-compliant Zoom. You need to be physically in California at the time of each session; it doesn’t matter whether that’s Los Angeles, the Bay Area, San Diego, Sacramento or somewhere with no therapist for fifty miles.
I spent five years practicing in Silver Lake, Los Angeles. If you’re in LA, I’m familiar with providers there, including psychiatrists, acupuncturists and other practitioners, so if you’d like support alongside our work, I can suggest referrals.
For online sessions, you’ll need:
A private space where you won’t be interrupted
A laptop or tablet rather than a phone, if you can
A stable connection and headphones
For EMDR sessions, something to drink and a few quiet minutes afterward
I see California clients Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM Pacific
Does EMDR work online?
Yes, with the same structure as in person
For the back-and-forth stimulation, we either use a bilateral stimulation app or you tap for yourself with the butterfly hug; I’ll walk you through both before we start.
I’ve done many successful sessions and intensives online, and whether to work online or in person is usually a question of comfort and preference. If something in our work suggests a different format would serve you better, I’ll say so.
For a specific memory or belief that keeps running things, I also offer EMDR intensives online to clients in California: a 90-minute preparation session, a 3-hour EMDR session and a 50-minute follow-up, on separate days. Costs and what to prepare are in my article on EMDR intensive costs.
Who I work with
Most of my clients are high-achieving women in their twenties to forties: eldest daughters, adult children of immigrants, healthcare professionals and other helpers. Many have done therapy before, understand where their patterns come from, and are still stuck in them. I also work with adolescents aged 14 and up.
If you grew up between cultures, I’m the eldest daughter in an immigrant Middle Eastern family and bring that into the room, while staying curious about what’s specific to you.
More on my adult children of immigrants and anxiety and self-esteem pages, and in my articles.
Questions about therapy in California
FAQs
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Yes. I’m a licensed clinical social worker in California and in New York.
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No. Anywhere in California works, as long as you’re in the state at the time of each session.
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Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM Pacific.
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HIPAA-compliant Zoom.
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Yes, online. The format is the same as in person: three appointments on separate days. If you’re in New York for a stretch, in person in Flatiron is also possible.
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Licensing is by state. If you move to New York, we can continue. If you move elsewhere, I’ll help you find someone there.
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I’m out of network. A superbill is available for weekly sessions so you can seek reimbursement; intensives are private pay.
Fees and insurance
Sessions are 50 minutes and $215. I’m an out-of-network provider. For weekly sessions I provide a superbill you can submit to your plan; many California PPO plans reimburse part of the fee for out-of-network therapy. Intensives are private pay. Details are on my fees and FAQs page.
Getting started
Request a free 15-minute consultation call. We’ll talk about what’s going on and whether I’m the right fit, and set up a first session that works in your time zone.