(310) 591-0795
General Inquiries

FAQ

Where is your office located?

My comfy office is located in the Culver City, Mar Vista, Venice area.

13101 Washington Blvd, Suite 230
Los Angeles, CA 90066

What are your hours?
My hours are from 9 – 2 in person from Wed. – Fri. and Online 9 – 2 Mon. and Tues.
How long are your sessions?
My sessions are 55 minutes.
Do you take insurance?
No, though I do provide a Super Bill that you can send to your insurance to be reimbursed for therapy services. It’s best to call your insurance company and see what rate they reimburse therapy services #90837.
How do I set up an initial appointment?

You can go to the calendar on this website, you can call, text, and/or email Thasja Hoffmann: thasja@gmail.com, (310) 591-0795.

What is your cancellation policy?
I ask that you let me know 24 hours before your appointment if you can’t make it, and I understand that may not be possible. I will charge you if you cancel later than 12 hours before your appointment unless you are sick or there is an emergency.
Where is parking?
There is (fairly) easy street parking nearby on Alla Street; just be careful of the street parking signs. There is no parking Wednesday on one side and Thursday on the other side.
Do you recommend other healing approaches in addition to your therapy?
Yes, I recommend yoga, acupuncture, singing bowls, Safe & Sound Protocol, and meditation.
What is EMDR?
It stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and is a therapy approach developed in 1989 by Francine Shapiro, who noticed her distressing thoughts decreased with the use of bilateral stimulation. It is used by trained EMDR therapists to help calm and shift information that is haunting you.
What is Mindfulness?
It is a practice of intently noticing what you are feeling and sensing in the moment without judgment and instead with interest and curiosity.
What is Somatic Therapy?
Its focus is on the sensations in the body. It is a therapy approach that pays attention to the regulation of the nervous system that can allow sensations to flow in and out and unblock stuck trauma.
What age ranges do you work with?
I work with adults 18 and up.
Do your clients receive homework?
I recommend using SSP and other interventions to help relax your nervous system, which helps prepare you for EMDR. I don’t like homework, so it’s more about encouraging you to support yourself daily.
What is SSP?
Safe and Sound Protocol, developed by Steve Porges to help regulate your nervous system, is an app that plays music, some filtered and some not filtered.
What does a session with you look like?
Most people that are nervous and have never done therapy before have said it was not nerve-racking meeting with me. The first session we talk and get to know more about you as well as discuss treatment goals and plan. I like to have people do a tiny Mindfulness exercise to help relax.
Are there any risks doing EMDR?

You are welcome to review updated material on EMDRIA’s website: EMDR International Association Home | EMDR Practitioners (emdria.org). The only risks I have heard of from clients is that it impacted sleep; most people report that they sleep deeper. EMDR can trigger somatic sensations because we are processing trauma, which is stored in the body. The most common somatic sensation triggered is headaches. Before we start, I will review with you what commonly comes up for people in therapy.

Are there videos I can watch about EMDR?
Often, the videos online show EMDR as magic, which it can be. It is important to consider that we are all different, and, therefore, it will look different for each of us.
Are there any helpful videos for meditation?

I very much like the Thich Nhat Hanh videos on YouTube. How do I stay in the present moment when it feels unbearable? – YouTube

Do you have water at your office?
I do! You are welcome to have some water during your session; even tea if you would like! It can be helpful to drink water during therapy.
Is there a couch or an armchair for clients?
A very comfortable armchair that supports you well. It kicks back and lets you relax.
Do you use weighted blankets?
I have a heavy weighted blanket, though most people prefer one of my soft blankets, along with a Teddy Bear.
Do you use EMDR Tappers?
Yes, I find that people prefer the use of tappers over the movement of the eyes for the bilateral stimulation.
What are EMDR Tappers?
They are plastic sensors that give out a slight vibration and allow a right and left stimulation in the hands, which replaces the eye movement bilateral stimulation. There are many studies about the benefits between the different ways of receiving bilateral stimulation. I think it’s whatever feels most comfortable to you.
What is TMS?

It is called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, and it is very helpful for depression.

Do you use other devices?
I also have Safe and Sound Protocol developed by Steve Porges. It is a sound device that plays filtered and non-filtered music to help calm your nervous system.
Do you have a favorite book?
I have many. I do love Peter Levine’s book, Waking The Tiger.