Starting therapy shouldn't be so confusing.Here are some of the most common questions I get about working together.
If you don’t see your question listed, or are ready to start your free consultation, contact me. |
Smadar Salzman, MA, LMFT, (she/her/hers) Licensed Psychotherapist & Certified Complex Trauma Professional
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Diverse populations are always welcome in my practice, including all cultures, sexual orientations, genders, and relationship structures.
Where are you located? |
I'm in San Francisco, California.
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How long have you been practicing? |
More than 15 years. I've been supporting people on their healing journeys in various capacities since 2004. I opened my private practice in 2008.
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Do you offer online therapy? |
Yes, I began seeing clients virtually in 2014 and offer online therapy for adults in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout California. Most of my clients prefer the convenience and flexibility that online therapy provides.
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How does online therapy work? |
Online therapy is just like office-based therapy, but we connect via HIPAA-secure Zoom to protect your confidentiality and privacy. On your end, it'll look like any other Zoom call.
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What are your rates? |
Individual therapy sessions are $210 and 45 minutes long.
I'm a private pay, out-of-network therapist. This means I don't work directly with insurance companies, though some insurance companies will reimburse you a portion of what you pay for therapy with me. Fees are payable at the time of service via Stripe (credit, debit, or HSA/FSA card). It's your responsibility to check your benefits and to submit paperwork to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. I adjust my fees annually, usually in January, and provide at least 30 days advance notice to my ongoing clients. |
Why don't you bill insurance directly? |
Health insurance companies are for-profit entities that put therapists at odds with our ethical codes and sacrifice your privacy and care for their financial gain.
Some common concerns that I, like many other therapists have, include:
That said, some of my clients choose to submit receipts (called superbills) to their insurance for possible partial reimbursement. I can provide you with these monthly statements upon request. However, please note that if you decide to submit a superbill, the insurance company will require a mental health diagnosis, and all of the above concerns will apply. |
What is your cancellation policy? |
No-shows and cancellations with less than 24 hour notice are charged the full session fee, regardless of the reason. If you have frequent cancellations we'll put therapy on hold until attendance can be more consistent.
Cancelling and rescheduling can be done by sending me a secure message in the client portal. |
Who do you work with? |
I only see individual adults. While much of the work we'll do centers around themes and issues that arise in intimate relationships, my speciality is working one-on-one with you. I don't offer child or family therapy.
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What's your availability? |
I see clients Monday through Wednesday from 9am to 3pm. I don't accommodate requests for sessions outside of these times.
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How can I reach you between sessions? |
Send me a message in the secure client portal. Secure messaging is not for emergencies. Please note that I usually step away from my inbox in the evenings after 5 pm and on weekends (Fridays through Sundays). Any messages sent after 5pm on Thursdays may not be seen or responded to until the following Monday.
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How often are therapy sessions? |
My approach to this is generally a bit more flexible than most therapists'. The traditional therapy structure is to have weekly sessions. In my experience, however, meeting every other week also works well for some people. We can talk about what works for you at any point in your therapy, and finances may play a role. Some clients meet weekly for a while, then taper after we make some progress. Others end therapy for a while, and come back for as-needed maintenance sessions, or come back if a new issue flares up. Regardless of frequency, consistent attendance helps to keep the momentum going so that you get the most out of your therapy sessions.
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How long will therapy take? |
Therapy is a process where what you put in is what you get out. Your length in therapy will depend on your particular background and how motivated you are to grow and heal. Generally, my clients continue to meet regularly for at least a few years in order to see lasting changes. Many people with trauma histories find that having an ongoing therapeutic relationship is critical for their self-care. You may find it helpful to meet on an ongoing basis indefinitely. Or schedule regular maintenance sessions a few times a year as needed.
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What happens in the first consultation? |
During your initial free 15-minute consultation, we’ll discuss the specifics of your situation and what you're hoping to gain from therapy. We'll cover logistics and scheduling. I'll answer your questions about working together. You'll get a feel for what it's like to meet virtually. And we'll take the time to begin getting to know each other. The first few psychotherapy sessions are an assessment period to make sure we're a good fit for long-term work together. In these sessions, we'll gain a more complete understanding of your needs and how I can help you.
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Are we a good fit? |
We might be a good fit if you're an insightful, motivated adult who wants to understand and transform recurring painful patterns in your life and relationships. You want better ways to manage intense feelings of shame, anxiety, fear, and self-blame. You want to build more satisfying relationships but you may not think it's possible for you. You may sometimes feel broken or damaged, and feel unable to have healthy relationships. You want to break free from intergenerational patterns of abuse or neglect. You're ready to make the investment of time and money to finally prioritize your healing.
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What if we're not a good fit? |
The first few sessions are an assessment phase. If it doesn't seem like a good fit after a few sessions, I'd be happy to give you referrals for therapists who may be more suitable for you once I know you better. Finding a therapist is one of the most vulnerable things you can do. Having a therapist who you feel safe and comfortable with is an important first step.
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What is a Good Faith Estimate? |
As of January 1, 2022, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. The "Good Faith Estimate” explains how much your medical and mental health care will cost. It will be included in your initial intake documents. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
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It's time to improve your relationships with yourself and others, work through past unresolved trauma and relational abuse, and begin feeling safe in your body.
Healthy boundaries and relationships are possible!
Click the button below to request your free, confidential 15-minute consultation for online therapy for Complex Trauma (CPTSD) in San Francisco, the Bay Area, and throughout California.
