No, I do not. However, I do offer free 15 minute phone conversations. The initial phone consult gives you an opportunity to ask questions and decide if you’d like to work with me. It also helps me get a sense of what you’re looking for in terms of therapy as well as in a therapy. If you feel we’re a good fit, then we can go ahead and get your scheduled.
The first session is an informal meeting where you and I will sit and discuss much of what you included in the intake paper. It is also a time when anything left out of the paperwork can be discussed. You’ll get deeper into your story and your goals for counseling as well. Naturally, we’re getting to know each other, and we’re getting a clearer sense of whether this is the right fit and if you’d like to continue exploring difficult and vulnerable topics in counseling.
Appointments are scheduled weekly with your therapist. In some situations a different time line can be discussed.
This is the golden question, isn’t it?! There aren’t any hard and fast rules when it comes to this. It entirely depends on what brought you to psychotherapy, your goals, and your effort to practice what you’re working on in your daily life. Each person takes a different path. Once you reach your goals, you and your therapist, will decide whether to start the process of saying goodbye or focus on new goals. Your therapist is here to support you as long as you need, but no more than necessary. In some cases, clients prefer to check-in with their therapist as needed or for monthly maintenance sessions after their initial work together ends.
We’re glad you asked. Across 50+ years of research and data, the intangible thing that heals in therapy is a good fit between the client and the therapist. It’s that spark of connection that only happens with certain people (and is so awesome when it does). Each of our mental health professionals is different, with their own style and vibe, informed by their past professional and personal experiences. You can learn more about me, specifically by visiting my About page here.
Yes. There is a 48 hour prior notice if you need to cancel a session. A cancellation fee will be charged to the credit card on file if you fail to attend a scheduled session or give less than 48 hours notice of cancellation. The fee for 48 hour cancellation, 24 hour cancellation and No Call/No Shows is varies.
Yes, however, if you’re 18 or older we’ll need the following information from the:
– written authorization to charge their credit card
-signed acknowledgment of understanding that they will not have written or verbal access to any of the content of your therapy without your written consent.
All intake appointment are $175.
For family and child therapy, or couples therapy, the fee is $160 per session.
For individuals the fee is $150 per session.
Full payment is due at the time of service. Due to legal and ethical requirements, clients are not allowed to carry account balances as doing so can muddy the waters of clinical work. I accept cash, check, debit, VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) at this time.
I provided limited sliding scale spots in my schedule for those that qualify. My philosophy is that psychotherapy is an investment, like buying real estate or saving money in a 401K. And just like those forms of investment, counseling can yield a great return on investment, as such I charge accordingly.
That said, I realize that not everyone can afford to work with me. I happy to refer you to other providers, agencies, and centers that can financially accommodate individuals that need sliding scale or reduced fee services.
Not sure what a fair cost for therapy is? Check out Healthcare Bluebook and Fair Health Consumer. Type in your zip code and search for ‘psychotherapy 45 minutes’ or CPT code 90834.
No, I don’t accept insurance. I am an out-of-network provided with insurance. Keep reading to learn more!
That’s a short question, with a long answer! There are MANY reasons why I do not accept insurance.
For one, when therapists accept insurance, confidentiality is far more limited. Further, I MUST give you a mental health diagnosis that will forever be in your health record. This has many ramification for you long term. In a divorce hearing, your diagnosis could impact whether or not you get partial or any custody of your children. If you get into a car accident and file a claim against your insurance, their lawyers may request your records and use a diagnosis to claim you were at fault so they don’t have to pay. Yes, I have seem this happen!
I’ve unfortunately had to battle with insurance many times on what is considered “medically necessary” care and I’ve watched my client lose coverage for our services, or have had our sessions limited.
Although I did accept insurance many years go, desire to help my clients invest in their own wellbeing and heal through the therapeutic process, insurance became far more of a barrier and a disservice to our work.
If this is something you would like to discuss further, I am happy to do so.
Absolutely! Your insurance plan may have out-of-network (OON) coverage. If it does, you may be able to bill your OON coverage and get some or all of your sessions covered. Trust me – it’s super easy but it will require I give you a diagnosis. Here’s how it works:
You pay us directly and and the end of the month, I provide you with a monthly statement of services (called a Superbill). Then, you submit (e-mail, app upload, fax, or snail mail) it to your insurance company if you decide to seek reimbursement through your insurance company’s out-of-network coverage. Your insurance company will process the superbill and will: apply the amount you’ve paid to chip away at your deductible; or reimburse you a percentage if you’ve already met the deductible.
We can look into all of these benefits prior to starting so you’ll have a fairly good idea of will be reimbursed, how much you’ll pay, and what your deductible looks like. Some people have very similar OON coverage to their in-network coverage.
Depending on your plan type, I may be able to check your coverage for you. For most people, they can quickly look up their behavioral health benefits online. You can also call the customer service phone number on the back of your insurance card so you can ask questions about your coverage and make an informed decision before getting started with counseling. Here are some helpful questions to ask the representative:
- Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?
- What is my out-of-network deductible? Does that include medical? Have I met it?
- Are out-of-network services by a licensed clinical psychologist covered?
- What is my co-insurance for out-of-network care?
- Is any pre-prior authorization required under any circumstances before obtaining out-of-network mental health services to be reimbursed?
- For psychotherapy, ask: Do you cover procedural codes 90834 and/or 90837?
- For psychotherapy, ask: What is the maximum allowed amount for procedural codes 90834 and/or 90837?
- If I have out-of-network benefits, will I be reimbursed the full amount I paid or a percentage? What percentage?