My Practice Policies & FAQ
Below are some of my practice policies. These are here for your information, and to help us create healthy boundaries for a successful therapeutic experience. Healthy relationships start with healthy boundaries.
What are your rates?
My current fee is $225 per 50 minute individual psychotherapy session.
I do not offer therapy for couples/families/multiple partners/relationships at this time.
I raise my fees annually, in January, and provide at least 30 day advance notice to my ongoing clients. If a client ends therapy, then returns for maintenance sessions or resumes therapy, my current higher rate will apply.
I accept payment by Stripe Credit Card through Simple Practice. Your card is charged automatically the morning of your session unless we make other arrangements in advance.
I do not offer therapy for couples/families/multiple partners/relationships at this time.
I raise my fees annually, in January, and provide at least 30 day advance notice to my ongoing clients. If a client ends therapy, then returns for maintenance sessions or resumes therapy, my current higher rate will apply.
I accept payment by Stripe Credit Card through Simple Practice. Your card is charged automatically the morning of your session unless we make other arrangements in advance.
Do you offer free consultations?
Yes, I offer a free 15 minute video consultation for prospective clients to answer any questions and determine whether the therapeutic relationship is a good fit. To schedule a consultation, click here. If you do not see any available times, you can send me a message to get on my waiting list.
Do you accept insurance?
I am not an in-network provider and do not work directly with insurance companies. Insurance invoices (also called “superbills”) are available upon request for out-of-network coverage.
You can check your insurance coverage by calling the number on the back of your insurance card and getting answers to the following questions:
You can check your insurance coverage by calling the number on the back of your insurance card and getting answers to the following questions:
- Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?
- Do I have a deductible?
- What is my deductible and has it been met for this calendar year?
- Are there any limitations on my coverage (i.e., number of sessions, specific diagnoses, etc.)?
- Is pre-authorization required from my primary care physician?
- What percentage of my (out-of-network) therapist's fees will be reimbursed?
- Does my insurance cover teletherapy sessions?
What are some concerns when using insurance for therapy?
Insurance companies require a Mental Health Disorder diagnosis and documented "medical necessity" in order to reimburse for psychotherapy. This diagnosis will appear on your superbill and become a part of your permanent health record. Additionally, insurance providers may audit your mental health records to assess medical necessity, even with out-of-network providers. If you have privacy concerns, you may consider not seeking reimbursement from your insurance provider. This option provides you assurance that your personal information and the details of your therapy will not be shared with an insurance company and be in a permanent health record. When you pay for therapy yourself, your complete privacy is assured within the limits of state and federal laws.
What is your cancellation policy?
I charge for appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice, regardless of reason for cancellation, unless we can find another time that week that works for us both. If we are able to find another time that works for us, before the weekend, we can reschedule at no extra fee. Cancellations and schedule changes can be done online through my client portal. Please note that most insurance companies do not reimburse cancellation fees.
Can I attend teletherapy from out of state?
Due to licensure requirements, you must be located within the state of California when attending teletherapy with me.
Do you offer in person sessions?
I am not planning to offer in-office services again at this time. Teletherapy will remain my primary mode of conducting therapy for all clients, both new and existing, even after pandemic restrictions subside.
What is Simple Practice?
Simple Practice is a streamlined and easy to utilize virtual platform for therapy services. Their secure, cloud-based practice management software allows my clients to submit paperwork, receive invoicing, schedule appointments, communicate via secure messaging, and attend telehealth sessions all in one place.
How often should I attend therapy?
I typically work with individual clients for 50 minute sessions weekly or every two weeks. Therapy works best when sessions are held as consistently as possible. This helps build trust and safety in the therapeutic relationship and keeps the momentum going so that you get the most out of your sessions.
Some clients will taper down frequency of sessions to a maintenance frequency of every 4 -6 weeks as goals are reached and clients are able to utilize therapeutic tools on their own. Ongoing therapeutic relationships can be helpful at a maintenance frequency; this allows therapy to be intensified if new life stressors occur or if progress on initial goals begins to falter.
Some clients will taper down frequency of sessions to a maintenance frequency of every 4 -6 weeks as goals are reached and clients are able to utilize therapeutic tools on their own. Ongoing therapeutic relationships can be helpful at a maintenance frequency; this allows therapy to be intensified if new life stressors occur or if progress on initial goals begins to falter.
What is your scheduling availability?
I am available for client sessions between 9am and 3pm Monday through Thursday. I do not accommodate requests for sessions outside of these hours.
I take several weeks vacation each year including most major holidays. I provide as much advance notice as possible to my clients of upcoming vacations and schedule changes.
My practice is frequently at capacity. If you do not see an available time in my self-scheduler, please send me a message to get on my waiting list.
I take several weeks vacation each year including most major holidays. I provide as much advance notice as possible to my clients of upcoming vacations and schedule changes.
My practice is frequently at capacity. If you do not see an available time in my self-scheduler, please send me a message to get on my waiting list.
Are we a good fit?
I work with individual adult clients via telehealth throughout California. I do not work with children, couples, partners, spouses, families, etc.
Within our first few appointments, we will decide together if we are a good therapeutic fit. Some symptoms and conditions might be inappropriate to treat over telehealth or may be outside of my scope of practice or competence. If we decide you would be better served by another therapist, I can provide referrals to qualified therapists that may better serve your needs.
Within our first few appointments, we will decide together if we are a good therapeutic fit. Some symptoms and conditions might be inappropriate to treat over telehealth or may be outside of my scope of practice or competence. If we decide you would be better served by another therapist, I can provide referrals to qualified therapists that may better serve your needs.
How do we begin?
The best way to see if we are a good therapeutic fit is to request a consultation or initial therapy session here.
Let's Connect
Book a free 15 minute video consultation or initial therapy session.
If you don't see an available time, send me a message to get on my waiting list.
If you don't see an available time, send me a message to get on my waiting list.