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About Dr. Winston
Welcome to my website and practice. I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist, with offices located in
Agoura Hills, California. At these settings I offer psychotherapy as well as testing services for cognitive, educational and psycho-diagnostic assessment. I also teach and provide supervision to registered interns. Please feel free to contact me at (310) 382-7556 if you have questions. I look forward to hearing from you.Stephen Winston, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist, and recent adjunct faculty member at the Graduate Schools of Psychology at Pepperdine University and Antioch University. He is in private practice with offices in Agoura Hills. Dr. Winston also supervises therapist interns at a local mental health facility, and has previously served at out-patient and in-patient facilities, Regional Center & the U.C.L.A. Department of Audiology. His clinical internships included the U.C.L.A. Center for Health Enhancement, where he gained experience with mind-body work focused on medical disorders. Dr. Winston has gained an extensive range of expertise following licensure in 1996. Areas of specialty include child, adolescent and adult age groups with special experience in object relations therapy, mood disorders (depression and anxiety), developmental issues (e.g. Asperger's and Autism Spectrum Disorders), OCD, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, PTSD, ADHD, aging and drug & alcohol dependence.
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Clinical Services
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- - Psychotherapy
- - Life Coaching
- - Consultation
- - Psycho-educational &
diagnostic assessments
Feel welcome to contact me with questions about my services. Our first phone contact will allow me to understand your situation and what you are seeking. We can then talk about how to proceed and appointment availability. Prior to coming in, please read my office policies page.
Psychotherapy
As a traditionally trained and solution-focused therapist, my goals are to help you understand and control your difficulties, to think clearly and creatively, to lead a life that includes love and attachment, and to create accomplishment in your life. We can work together to better understand current obstacles and past challenges in your life. That understanding can lead to loving yourself without judgment, shame or fear. I look forward to working with you to achieve your goals.
Experienced with:
- - Depression/Anxiety
- - Pain Management
- - Dating & Sexuality
- - Marriage/Divorce
- - Medical Challenges
- - Psychotic Disorders
- - Learning Disorders
- - Bipolar Disorder
- - Substance Abuse
See Privacy and Practice Policies See Psychotherapy Fees
Cognitive, Educational and Psychological Testing & Assessment
Dr. Winston also offers cognitive, educational and psychological evaluations for children, adolescents and adults. This testing can address questions related to schooling, developmental growth as well as emotional and behavioral difficulties. Dr. Winston’s assessments focus on identification of learning disorders (such as dyslexia), attentional disorders (such as ADD and ADHD), autism spectrum disorders, mental retardation and the diagnosis of psychiatric and emotional disorders.
See Testing/Assessment Fees PageConsultation
Dr. Winston additionally consults with mental health providers and corporations to assist in writing proposals, budgeting, negotiating County contracts, staffing and new program start-ups. He has been instrumental in acquiring and developing over $3,000,000 in new programs (EPSDT, Day Treatment, residential, DMH/DCFS, special education & NPS schools and Regional Center).
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Common Questions
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Is What We Talk About in Therapy Confidential?
The goal of therapy is permanent change in your life. All of my clients have different goals and life experiences, and so therapy will seem different for each individual. In general, I might say that you’ll talk about what brings you to therapy, and I will give you constructive feedback and new ways of looking at life. If needed, we’ll discuss your personal history that has shaped your issue and kept it a problem. Therapy can be short-term for a specific issue, or longer-term to deal with intricate habits. Sessions will most often be once a week, and in times of doubt, perhaps more often. I’ve always thought of therapy as a dance. At times you lead to tell me what you need, and at times I lead to give you feedback. We never force movements, just nudge one another in a thoughtful and respectful manner. -
What is therapy like?
The goal of therapy is permanent change in your life. All of my clients have different goals and life experiences, and so therapy will seem different for each individual. In general, I might say that you’ll talk about what brings you to therapy, and I will give you constructive feedback and new ways of looking at life. If needed, we’ll discuss your personal history that has shaped your issue and kept it a problem. Therapy can be short-term for a specific issue, or longer-term to deal with intricate habits. Sessions will most often be once a week, and in times of doubt, perhaps more often. I’ve always thought of therapy as a dance. At times you lead to tell me what you need, and at times I lead to give you feedback. We never force movements, just nudge one another in a thoughtful and respectful manner.
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What is the role of medication?
Depending on your symptoms and situation, the answer differs. Clients who are not in severe distress may work in therapy to resolve their issues without medication. However, research suggests that the best outcome with severe or genetically-caused symptoms is with both: medication to reduce overwhelming symptoms that a person can’t resolve themselves; and therapy to address life-long habits and self-esteem issues that undermine that person’s ability to make progress on their own. Eventually, both taper down and a person “graduates.”
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Do you take insurance and how
does that work?
I am a provider with several insurance panels, and this list changes over time. Please contact my office to determine whether I am contracted with your insurance company, and then call your insurance carrier to find out whether psychotherapy is covered by your insurance. This is important because sometimes mental health services are subcontracted to a completely different insurance company. If you have insurance coverage, then you will only be responsible for your co-pay, and any deductible that still remains. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers. Some helpful questions you can ask them include:
• Do I have mental health and psychotherapy benefits? • Have I met my deductible, and if not, how much do I still need to pay out? • What is my co-pay? • How many therapy sessions does my plan cover per year? • Is approval required from my primary care physician?
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Is what we talk about in therapy
confidential?
• Suspected past or present child or elder adult abuse (verbal or physical) and/or neglect.
• In the event I believe you are in danger of harming yourself, or you’ve threated to harm another person or property.
• For clients using their insurance, those companies all require access to your health-related data, including their required diagnosis. At times they request information about your symptoms and their severity.
• If progress notes are requested, be aware that I usually do NOT keep detailed notes, only minimal information about date of service, diagnosis, current symptoms and length of session. If you do not wish me to keep any notes due to celebrity status and other issues, please let me know at the start of therapy.
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Forms
Before our first meeting, please review the Practice Policies and Procedures form, which includes issues about confidentiality. If you have time, please fill out the Questionnaire for Initial Appointment. When and if it becomes necessary, you will find the Authorization to Release Information on this page as well.
Practice Policies and Procedures
Questionnaire for Initial Appointment
Authorization to Release Information
No Surprises
Insurance Information
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Insurance & Fee's
Psychotherapy
The fee for an hour of psychotherapy is $200. Private pay fees can be paid by credit card or check.
Insurance Information
I am a provider with several insurance panels, and this list changes over time. Please contact my office to determine whether I am contracted with your insurance company, and then call your insurance carrier to determine whether treatment is covered by your insurance. This is important because sometimes mental health services are subcontracted to a different insurance company. If you have insurance coverage, then you will only be responsible for your co-pay, and any cost that is within your deductible.
Testing/Assessment Fees
I do not bill your insurance directly for psychological, educational or cognitive testing. However, at your request, I will provide you with a superbill that contains all of the information necessary (including diagnosis, dates of service and type of service rendered) for you to submit to your health insurance provider to seek reimbursement for any payments made. It is your responsibility to check with your carrier to see if there are specific guidelines or necessary authorizations prior to the evaluation. Payment for testing differs between every client because the complexity of your questions will require different tests and different reports. We will determine the fee during your first session.
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Agoura Hills
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