Frequently Asked Questions
Do you take insurance?
I am in network with Lyra Health.
For all other insurance providers, I am classified as an out-of-network provider. However, to help make out-of-network therapy more feasible and affordable for clients, I partner with a company called Thrizer to handle the out-of-network claims process automatically for you. With Thrizer, you will only have to pay a copay for our sessions, instead of paying my full fee and waiting for reimbursements. This typically allows clients to save on average 70% upfront on our sessions. During your onboarding process, I can help you verify if you have out-of-network benefits and how much your copay would be. Please note that if you have a Blue Cross Blue Shield Plan, you will have to pay my full fee and will receive a paper check reimbursement in a few weeks.
Please be aware that if your insurance provider is contributing financially to your treatment, they may have access to certain privileged information, including your diagnosis and treatment records, so that they can determine whether appropriate treatment is being provided. This diagnosis becomes part of your medical record, which can potentially affect your future ability to get life insurance or get a job where you regularly handle firearms. This is just something to take into consideration when you’re deciding whether or not you want to use your insurance to pay for your mental health services.
What is your fee?
Individual Therapy Sessions (45 minutes): $180
Parent Coaching Sessions (45 minutes): $180
Family & Couple’s Therapy Sessions (60-90 minutes): $240-$360
Fee for sessions are due at the start of each session and are payable via cash, credit card or check.
Do you offer a sliding scale fee?
I do not currently offer a sliding scale at this time. If you need reduced fee therapy services, I recommend the following resources:
How long are sessions and how often will we meet?
Individual therapy sessions are 45 minutes long and are typically scheduled 1x/week. As therapy progresses and you have met your goals and are maintaining your progress, we will explore gradually reducing the frequency of sessions in order to shift into more maintenance support and/or prepare you for leaving the therapy nest, so-to-speak.
For couples therapy and family therapy, these sessions require more time and are scheduled for 60-90 minutes in length 1x/week. With families, there are often times when I meet with the parents and child(ren) separately, which could mean 2 sessions/week (one session with the child(ren) and a separate session with the parents).
What is your cancellation policy?
If an initial intake appointment is not cancelled with 48 hours advanced notice, a deposit will be required in order to reschedule and hold the second attempt at an intake appointment.
Do you also meet with the parent(s) of the teens you work with?
Yes, absolutely! I view parent involvement as an essential component of your teen’s treatment. Why? Because therapy is much more successful and lasting if both the parent(s) and their teen are changing together. I won’t always be in your teen’s life, but you will. Strengthening your relationship with your teen will have a positive, long-lasting impact long after I’m out of the picture. To that end, in addition to working individually with teens, I also provide family therapy and parent coaching sessions to support you and your teen improve communication, productively address hurts and grievances, build mutual respect and understanding, collaboratively problem-solve, and improve your connection with one another.
Do you tell me what my teen talks about in therapy?
Therefore, if I meet with your teen for individual or group therapy, (even if you are paying for their services) I will not disclose information to you without your teen’s consent unless I believe that your teen is a danger to themself or others. Not only is it important to allow your teen confidentiality, it is also legally their right to private and confidential communication with me as their therapist.
That’s not to say you will be completely out of the loop and uninvolved in your teen’s treatment. I encourage and strongly recommend parent involvement through family therapy sessions and parent coaching sessions. These provide opportunities where you and your teen can have open and honest conversations together in a safe space where I help to facilitate those discussions so they are successful and productive. It is ultimately much more valuable to you and your teen if I support and prepare you both to be able to have these conversations together directly rather then me just telling you something.
Do you work with children?
I don’t work with clients under the age of 15, but I know some good therapists who do. I would be happy to share some referrals with you for local child therapists, if that would be helpful.
Can you help me if I don't live in the San Francisco Bay Area?
Yes and no. For California residents who do not live near my office and wish to work with me, I also offer online counseling/therapy services via a secure web conferencing platform for individual therapy clients. For non-California residents, however, because I’m licensed in the state of California, that means I cannot provide therapy services to people living outside the state of California. I can and do, however, provide parent coaching sessions to parents living anywhere in the world. Please get in touch if you have questions and would like to inquire about working together.
Office Location
Castro Valley, CA 94546
Online Therapy Sessions
Contact
Contact
Office Location
Castro Valley, CA 94546
Online Therapy Sessions
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