Philip Hammel, Psy.D.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with over 10 years of experience treating adolescents through late adulthood. I completed my undergraduate degree in Psychology at St. Mary's College in Moraga, CA and my Psy.D. doctorate from Alliant International University-California School of Professional Psychology. My passion for helping others started at an early age and was nurtured by my large family, most of whom are health care providers. Later I was positively influenced by various professors, classmates/colleagues, and mentors through my schooling and training. Perhaps my greatest teachers though have been (and continue to be) the various clients I have had the privilege to work with over the years. My specialties include the treatment of depression, anxiety, life transitions, work stress, grief, aging, existential stress, burnout and compassion fatigue, relationship challenges, academic challenges impacted by procrastination and/or self-esteem issues, stress management, the importance of self-compassion, and support for individuals in the gay and lesbian community including family members adjusting to their loved ones' coming out process. I am also finding that allowing for the processing of cultural/political views and how they impact one's relationships has become a common source of stress and deserves attention in therapy. I find it useful to apply various techniques such as mindfulness, ACT, psychodynamic, motivational interviewing, strength-based/positive psychology, and self-compassion. How and when to use such techniques will depend on what works best for a particular individual rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Some clients prefer more direct feedback and structure, whereas others prefer a more open-ended approach where they can have a space to be heard and process their own insights and questions. I am also a big proponent of using evidence-based techniques with a humanistic and relational approach. The therapeutic relationship that I build with my clients is one of the strengths of my practice. Services and Fees At this time I am only able to provide teletherapy (video) services for all intake and follow-up sessions. Fees: please inquire about current rate. Insurance: I am not able to accept insurance directly for services. I am considered an "out-of-network" provider for insurance carriers. Upon your request, I can provide you with an itemized bill each month for you to submit to your insurance carrier to request reimbursement for services. Current Appointment Times: Mondays: 9 AM-5 PM, Thursdays 9 AM-Noon; please ask about limited availability on Tuesday mornings What to Expect Teletherapy services are offered via SimplePractice, a HIPAA-compliant, video-conference platform. After scheduling your intake appointment, you will receive an email with prompts to complete the intake forms and questionnaires online. Intake Session Treatment begins by completing an initial diagnostic evaluation. The intake assessment process typically takes between one to two visits (each lasting 50-60 minutes). A comprehensive evaluation allows me to better understand you and determine the best treatment plan to help you reach your goals. Follow-up Sessions Individual therapy sessions typically last 50 minutes. We may meet weekly in the beginning of therapy and reduce how often we meet over time as you progress ​in treatment. If you are unable to attend your session, please notify me at least 24 hours prior to your appointment time to avoid a cancellation fee (a full session fee).