FAQs

What insurance can you accept?

Currently I can accept Aetna, Cigna, Anthem Blue Cross California, Blue Shield of California, Carelon Behavioral Health, Magellan, and Quest Behavioral Health. 

I expect to be credentialed with Optum, Oxford, and United Healthcare soon. If we are out of network, I can provide a superbill of sessions, which clients can then use to apply to their insurance provider for some amount of reimbursement. 

Where are you based?

My shared office space is located in San Marino, California. 

Are sessions in person or over telehealth? 

Both. This is something to discuss in our phone consultation as my availability for in person or telehealth sessions varies. For in person sessions I use a shared office space with a colleague.

What are my options for payment if you do not accept my insurance?

Clients who are out of network or without insurance will need to pay for sessions out of pocket. If you would like to see if your insurance will reimburse you for the cost of sessions, I can produce a superbill documenting our sessions and costs. It would be your responsibility to then apply to your insurance provider for reimbursement.

How much are sessions if I pay out of pocket? 

Sessions are typically $150 for a 50 minute session. Couples and family therapy sessions are $175 and may run longer, such as 75 or 90 minutes. I have some slots available for a reduced, sliding scale, rate. I know it can be difficult to talk about money and financial challenges. Please let me know if there is a need for a reduced fee. I can also put new clients on a wait list for a reduced fee if the slots are filled at the time of your inquiry. 

Will therapy help me feel better?

"Feeling better" may take some time and may look different from what you expect. This mostly depends on you and what you are willing to do differently.  Many clients have reported to me that they feel a sense of relief after starting therapy and enjoy the sessions. However, it can certainly be uncomfortable to be fully present with negative emotions or revisit painful memories to work through their impact on you. It is important to be kind and gentle with yourself after therapy sessions. If you feel especially vulnerable after sessions, we can discuss self-care, coping skills, and containment. Some clients also find it helpful if we transition out of heavy topics in the last 5-10 minutes of a session. 

What if we meet and aren't a good match? 

No problem! It really is okay to try out a session or a few and then continue your search. I appreciate your honesty if you decide I am not the best fit for you. I am also open to constructive feedback that may help me to become a better therapist. 

What is your cancellation policy? 

I have a 24 hour cancellation policy, meaning I require clients to let me know a full day in advance of the session if they cannot make it. I charge a fee of $100 for late cancellations and no shows. I understand that emergencies happen, but if clients cancel frequently due to non-emergent reasons, we may have a discussion about whether once weekly sessions are realistic for you. More details about this policy are provided in the intake paperwork. 

What is the phone consultation like? 

Consultations can be anywhere from 5 minutes to 20 minutes, depending on how much you would like to discuss before meeting for a session. I will typically ask what caused you to seek therapy and if there is anything unique about your situation that I should know. I will assess if what you're looking for  falls within my scope of competence. The consultation is a good opportunity to ask any questions you may have about me and my style, how therapy works, fees, policies, etc. We will discuss scheduling and whether sessions are to be in person or over telehealth. You are always welcome to ask more questions as they come to you later.