Frequently Asked Questions
What is a marriage and family therapist?
Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are relationship specialists who are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat persons experiencing relationship challenges. They work with children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly, either individually, as couples or families, or in groups, to help them achieve more adequate, satisfying, and productive marital, family or social adjustment. The practice of marriage and family counseling also includes premarital, child, divorce or separation counseling, substance abuse, and treatment for victims of abuse
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists have earned graduate degrees in behavioral science, have at least 3,000 hours of supervised experience, and have passed two comprehensive examinations before being licensed by the State of California.
A Registered Associate has completed his or her graduate coursework and is in the process of completing supervised hours and passing two comprehensive examinations that are required before a therapist can become a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. A Registered Associate must be registered with the Board of Behavioral Science and work under the supervision of a licensed mental health therapist.
- How can I tell if a therapist is a good match for me? At OTHC we provide a free 15-minute consultation for all new client to determine if we can meet your needs for services. We try to match clients with a clinician who is a good fit based on personality, your behavioral health challenge and our clinician’s clinical expertise.
- Should I see a male or female therapist? Each of our clinicians enjoy and are experts at working with all genders. If you have a preference please let us know.
- Do you see children under the age of 5? Yes, we do! Because our approach to working with children under the age of 5, is attachment based, please be prepared to attend the session with your child.
What makes Onyx different from other therapy practices?
We use somatic modalities that help your body RELEASE trauma, not just talk about it. Our approach is more directive—we offer real solutions to real problems. And here’s the big one: this space was built FOR BIPOC communities. You don’t have to translate your experience. You’re already understood here.
Services & Approach
What services do you offer?
- Individual counseling for trauma survivors
- Couples counseling using Emotionally Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Informed Yoga
- Multi-day intensives and retreats
- Workshops and training for organizations
- Healing circles for BIPOC-led organizations
- Corporate wellness consulting
What is Brainspotting and how is it different from talk therapy? Brainspotting helps your body process and release trauma through eye positioning and focused mindfulness. Here’s the thing: trauma doesn’t live in your mind. It lives in your BODY. That’s why talk therapy alone often isn’t enough. Brainspotting helps your nervous system know that you’re safe NOW, even when your body still thinks you’re in danger.
Do you offer Ketamine Assisted Therapy? Yes. Ketamine Assisted Therapy is a newer modality that’s showing promising results for people with depression or trauma that hasn’t responded to traditional therapy. It creates space for deeper processing and can help when you feel stuck. We combine it with trauma-informed therapy for powerful healing.
What is an intensive or retreat? Intensives are longer therapy sessions (full-day or multi-day) that allow you to work on several issues or fully resolve something without worrying about the 50-minute clock. They can lead to shorter overall time in therapy and faster progress toward your goals. You deserve focused, uninterrupted time to heal.
What’s your approach to couples therapy? We use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which works with your attachment needs and emotions to create lasting change. You’re not broken as a couple. You’re disconnected. And disconnection can heal. We help you stop fighting about texting and start addressing what your nervous system is really screaming: “Do I matter to you?”
How much does therapy cost?
Investment ranges are:
- Individual therapy: $110-$175 per session
- Couples & Family therapy: $125-$200 per session
- Brainspotting Intensive: $350 for 2-hour session
- Longer intensives & Ketamine Assisted Therapy: Varies based on the package you select
We’ll talk through what works for you and your healing goals. Our approach is “Whatever It Takes, Client Driven and Client Specific.”
How does payment work? Payment is due at the beginning of each session. You’ll provide a credit card that will be securely stored in our Electronic Health Records System and charged the morning of each counseling session through the client portal. We accept Cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover, and we’ll provide a receipt for all fees paid.
Regardless of insurance, you’re responsible for payment of all fees for services rendered.
Insurance Plans
At this time, Onyx Trauma Healing Center is paneled with:
- Kaiser Permanente, Northern California (prior authorization required for services with Kelly Baker, LMFT)
- Aetna
- Anthem Blue Cross Medi-Cal
- Self-pay
What if my insurance isn’t listed? Our therapists are considered out-of-network providers for other insurance plans. This means we don’t accept or bill your insurance directly. However, upon request we’ll provide you with a superbill that you can submit to your insurance provider for possible reimbursement of our fees.
We encourage you to verify your benefits with your insurance provider before beginning services if you plan to seek reimbursement.
What should I know about using insurance for therapy? Here are a couple of helpful things to consider:
- High Deductible Plans: If your insurance plan has a high deductible, therapy services may be able to be applied toward that deductible. In these instances, the superbill can be very helpful.
- Confidentiality: Using insurance does result in some of your confidential information being shared with your insurance provider. For instance, most insurance companies require a mental health diagnosis in order to reimburse for therapy, which becomes part of your medical record.
One benefit of not using insurance is that you have greater control of how your confidential mental health information is used.
If you have additional questions about this topic, reach out to us.
What's your cancellation policy?
Life happens, we get it. But here’s what you need to know: if you can’t make your session, please cancel with at least 24 hours notice (business hours).
If you miss your appointment or cancel with less than 24 hours notice, your credit card will be charged full fee for the missed appointment. We will not reimburse you for any portion of a missed appointment and you are responsible for the full fee.
We understand that emergencies come up. However, our therapists are paid even if you miss your appointment, so we hold these boundaries to honor their time and yours.
What is Onyx Trauma Healing Center?
We’re a trauma-informed therapy that support communities throughout California, Washington & Oregon. Onyx was created to provide trauma services. We offer individual counseling, couples therapy, intensives, and workshops using somatic modalities like Brainspotting, EMDR, Internal Family Systems, and Ketamine Assisted Therapy. We’re here because our community deserves healing spaces where you don’t have to explain yourself.
Do you offer in-person or telehealth services?
We provide both!
In-Person Services: Limited in-person sessions are available with Tanya Watson at our Hanford location.
Telehealth Services: We offer secure video therapy (also called telemedicine or teletherapy) for clients in California, Washington, and Oregon.
Can I do therapy via video? Yes! Telehealth allows us to meet you wherever you are—literally. According to Business and Professions Code §2290.5, telemedicine is the practice of health care using “interactive” audio, video, or data communications. The term “interactive” means an audio, video, or data communication involving a real-time (synchronous) or near real-time (asynchronous) two-way transfer of medical information.
Both established clients and new clients in special circumstances can participate in telemedicine.
What platform do you use for telehealth? We use Sessions Health, a HIPAA-compliant and secure platform designed specifically for therapy. Sessions Health is easy to use on your computer, laptop, or cellphone, so your privacy is protected and your sessions stay confidential.
If you want to know more about teletherapy or how Sessions Health works, reach out to us.
About Our Team
Kelly Baker, LMFT #118442
Owner & Founder
Kelly is a retired Corrections/Law Enforcement professional who brings deep understanding of trauma, hypervigilance, and the unique pressures faced by first responders and their families. She’s trained in Ketamine Assisted Therapy (KAT), Brainspotting, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples. As a 200-hour certified Yoga Teacher, she integrates mind-body practices into her trauma work. Kelly also serves as Adjunct Faculty at Fresno Pacific University, training the next generation of therapists.
Her specialties include childhood trauma, BIPOC couples therapy, and helping clients move from surviving to thriving using somatic modalities that work WITH your nervous system.
Tanya Watson, LMFT
Therapist specializing in Military & Veterans
Tanya is a retired Navy veteran who deeply understands military culture, deployment trauma, and the challenges of transitioning back to civilian life. She’s trained in Brainspotting and Emotionally Focused Therapy, and she’s passionate about serving veterans and active-duty military members.
If you’ve served or you’re currently serving, Tanya gets it. She speaks your language and knows what it’s like to carry the weight of service. You don’t have to explain yourself here.
Elizabeth Diaz, ACSW
Associate Clinical Social Worker (under supervision)
Elizabeth is a Spanish-speaking therapist trained in Curanderismo, a traditional Latinx healing practice that honors cultural and spiritual approaches to wellness. As a mother from a first-generation mixed-status family, she brings lived experience and cultural understanding to her work with Latina women navigating family dynamics, immigration trauma, and identity.
If you’re a Latina mother carrying the weight of your family on your shoulders, Elizabeth sees you. This is a space where your cultural context isn’t just acknowledged—it’s centered.
What training does your team have in trauma modalities? Our entire team is trained in evidence-based trauma modalities because we believe healing requires more than traditional talk therapy. Here’s what we bring:
- Brainspotting – Kelly & Tanya
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) – Kelly
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples – Kelly & Tanya.
- Ketamine Assisted Therapy (KAT) – Kelly
- Trauma-Informed Yoga – Kelly (200-hour certified)
- Curanderismo – Elizabeth
- EMDR – Kelly
We don’t just talk about trauma. We help your body release it.
Common Concerns
I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t work. Why would this be different? If traditional talk therapy didn’t work, that doesn’t mean YOU failed. It might mean your body needs something different. Somatic modalities like Brainspotting work WITH your nervous system to release what’s stuck. You’re not broken. You’re stuck. And stuck can heal.
How long does therapy take? Healing isn’t linear, but it IS possible. Some people see shifts in a few sessions, especially with intensives. Others need more time. We meet you where you are and move at YOUR pace.
What if I’m not sure therapy is for me? That’s okay. Reach out anyway. Let’s have a conversation about what you’re dealing with. No pressure, just real talk about whether this could help.
I’ve been carrying this trauma for years. Is it too late to heal? No. Your body remembers, yes. But your body can also learn safety. It’s never too late to start healing. You deserve this.
Will you understand my experience as a BIPOC person? Yes. This space was built FOR YOU. You don’t have to explain code-switching exhaustion, generational trauma, or what it’s like navigating predominantly white spaces. We GET it. Your cultural context matters here.
Do you work with veterans or first responders? Absolutely. Both Kelly and Tanya bring personal experience from law enforcement and military service. They understand the unique trauma that comes with these roles—hypervigilance, moral injury, the pressure to “stay strong,” and the difficulty of coming home. You don’t have to explain what it’s like. They already know.
Do you offer services in Spanish? Yes. Elizabeth Diaz provides therapy in Spanish and integrates Curanderismo practices for those who want culturally-rooted healing approaches.
Do you offer a sliding fee scale? Unfortunately, we are unable to offer a sliding fee scale at this time.
What’s your cancellation policy? Life happens, we get it. But here’s what you need to know: if you can’t make your session, please cancel with at least 24 hours notice (business hours).
If you miss your appointment or cancel with less than 24 hours notice, your credit card will be charged $175 for the missed appointment. We will not reimburse you for any portion of a missed appointment and you are responsible for the full fee.
We understand that emergencies come up. However, our therapists are paid even if you miss your appointment, so we hold these boundaries to honor their time and yours.