Frequently Asked Questions
You Ask - I Answer
What Forms Of Payment Do You Accept?
All payments are accepted as either cash, check, credit or debit.
Do You Accept Insurance?
I do not currently accept insurance. If your insurance provides the option of using an out-of-network provider, they may agree to reimburse your treatment for a reasonable portion of the fee (most reimburse 20%-80%). If you wish to obtain reimbursement by your insurance company, I can provide you with an invoice for services rendered. Contact your benefits administrator to inquire about out-of-network coverage for mental health services and ask the following questions before scheduling an appointment:
Do I have mental health benefits and do you reimburse for a clinical psychologist?
What is the procedure for reimbursement?
What is my deductible and has it been met?
How much does my insurance plan cover for an out-of-network provider for procedure code (CPT code) 90834 or 90791?
Do You Provide A Free Initial Consultation?
Yes, the initial consult is a 10-15 minute phone consultation. This is a time for you to ask questions, explain what is motivating you to therapy, and to get a feel for me as a therapist. If, for any reason, you decide we are not a good fit; or the reason behind you seeking treatment is beyond the scope of my practice, I can refer you to one or more of my colleagues that may better suit your needs.
Isn’t Mental Health Treatment Expensive?
Thinking about the way your life is going on: are you enjoying the way you live your life now, or do you find that your past is really limiting you? You may find that your daily life is a constant state of worry and fear. Therapy is a voluntary pursuit and only you can decide how valuable your well-being and peace of mind is. You deserve to live your life with peace and calm. Mental health treatment is an investment in your long-term well-being.
Why Weekly Sessions?
We begin our therapeutic work with weekly sessions to assist us in building rapport to develop comfort and trust, as well as, maintain consistency of our work. Eventually, following our months/year(s) of progress together, our weekly schedule may become biweekly or monthly to tailor to your needs and preferences.
How Long Should I Stay In Therapy?
Your involvement and participation in therapy is voluntary and you can decide your duration of treatment, whether long term or short term. You can terminate with me whenever you are ready, with a recommended termination process of 2-4 sessions to ensure proper closure of our work together. Long-term work does have the benefit of an even stronger therapeutic relationship, increased opportunity for further personal growth, as well as, improved relationship dynamics.
What If I’m Not Sure About Coming To Therapy?
It’s okay and completely natural to be ambivalent about therapy. That’s actually the beginning of the therapeutic process- sharing the discomfort and fears involving therapy and the therapist. It’s hard to reveal private, precious information to a person you barely know. Sometimes, people also have negative experiences with therapists and naturally generalize and develop an aversion to therapy overall. It’s essential to acknowledge those feelings and express them. I encourage you to discuss them more with me. I believe once you feel heard and validated, we can begin to develop a trusting relationship and become one step closer to building a strong therapeutic foundation.
How Do I Prepare For Psychotherapy?
You can just show up and let things unfold naturally. Or you may write down what’s important to you to talk about. You can let me guide you in your discovery and healing process – I am trained to just do that! Some people believe you need to go into your weekly therapy session with a “topic” to discuss. This is not entirely true but some preparation can be helpful in understanding what matters to you the most. Think of your therapist as the closest confidante you can ever share anything with
Can You Prescribe Medication?
In the state of California, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, is not not authorized to write prescriptions. If during our time together you express a need for medication, I can refer you to a psychiatrist, and you may inquire about medication with your primary care physician, so that we may work in concert to provide you with an optimal level of care.
Now What Do I Do?
Contact me to discuss options and to ask questions about individual consultation.