“I believe healing occurs through a positive, therapeutic relationship and by unlocking creativity through play, art, and literature.”
Welcome, my name is Dr. Abigail Johal.
I am a clinical psychologist located in Oakland, CA. I provide mental health services to children, adolescents, and young adults hoping to awaken their full potential. Please contact me for a free phone consultation to learn more about the services I offer!
Therapy Services.
Children.
I help children by attuning to their unique needs, joining with their interests, and teaching new emotional skills through the language of play.
Adolescents.
I help teens navigate difficult emotions and recognize the inner strengths they possess to meet life’s challenges.
Young Adults.
Are you going through a significant life transition and need someone to confide in?
Group.
Being fully accepted and connected to something beyond yourself is an experience completely unique to group therapy.
Family.
I am very passionate about helping families learn to communicate and connect better as they face the challenges of daily life together.
Frequently
Asked Questions.
Are services being conducted over Telehealth or in-person?
I am offering therapy services over Telehealth and in-person. My office is located in Berkeley. I am also willing to meet outdoors in some cases if you are willing to sign a liability agreement for your child.
What are your fees?
Please contact me for my fee schedule. I accept credit, debit, Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flex-Spending Account (FSA) cards as payment. I do not take health insurance at this time, although I can provide a superbill to submit to your insurance for reimbursement if you have out-of-network benefits. Please check with your insurance provider for information about your mental health benefits prior to our first session together.
What happens in a consultation call?
Consultation calls are free and usually take 15 minutes. We will talk about the reasons you are seeking therapy for yourself or your child, address any of your questions or concerns, and mutually decide whether or not to move forward with a first appointment.
How long is each therapy session? How often do sessions occur?
My regular sessions are 45-50 minutes, family sessions are 60 minutes, and group sessions are 60-90 minutes. The frequency of sessions depends on you or your child’s needs and our predetermined goals. Typically, we will meet once a week.
As a parent, will I be attending sessions with my child or adolescent?
Children under 12. My preferred method is to incorporate parents into most sessions with children under 12. I require parents to be present for the majority of the first appointment and a portion of sessions thereafter. I am also available over the telephone if parent coaching between sessions is desired or needed. For Telehealth sessions, please prepare your child’s space with art supplies and any preferred toys.
Children over 12. For children ages 12 and over, I require parents to be present for the majority of the first appointment. Thereafter, the level of parent involvement in sessions will be mutually decided upon by the youth, parent, and myself. I will always notify parents in the event of a safety concern. In addition, I am available over the telephone if parent coaching between sessions is desired or needed. For Telehealth sessions, please ask your adolescent to prepare their space with art supplies and any toys or items that help them to sustain attention.
What is your cancellation policy?
To cancel an appointment, I require all my clients to give 24 hours notice. Failure to do so within 24 hours will result in you being charged for the session.