FAQ
Session structure and rates: I offer 50-minute sessions for both individual and relationship sessions, either weekly or biweekly. I have a limited number of 75-minute slots available for relationship therapy.
Average cost per 50-minute session:
$165-$200 for individuals, $180-$230 for couples
Fee is calculated based on need, income and other financial resources. If you are interested in beginning therapy but concerned about cost, reach out and we can discuss sliding scale options, as I have a limited number of sliding scale slots available in my practice.
If you reach out and for any reason we are not a good fit, I will do my best to refer you to someone who can accommodate your needs.
If you need lower fee therapy, the following are great resources in the Bay Area:
Church Street Integral Counseling Center
Golden Gate Integral Counseling Center
Liberation Institute
Access needs: I believe therapy should be accessible to all minds and bodies. I welcome your access needs and will work with you to create a space that fits your being.
Payment and fees: I accept payment by debit/credit card and check.
Insurance: I do not bill insurance directly. However, I can provide you with a “superbill” each month that you can submit to your insurance provider for session reimbursement, or that you can use toward a health savings account with your employer.
When you call your insurance provider, ask for “out-of-network” reimbursement for therapy. Most PPO plans will reimburse a significant portion for out-of-network sessions.
Helpful questions to ask your insurance company before beginning therapy:
Does my policy include a mental health benefit?
Does my policy cover out-of-network therapists? If I use a practitioner who is not part of your network, do you provide any coverage? Are there any additional out-of-pocket costs?
If yes: Does my policy cover: Associate and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists?
If yes: How much will my policy pay for a 50-minute psychotherapy session?
How much psychotherapy is covered per year? Are there any dollar or calendar limits to my coverage?
Is my mental health deductible part of, or separate from, my medical deductible?
What is my yearly mental health and/or medical deductible?
How much of my deductible have I met this year?
Can I pay my therapist out-of-pocket and submit my session receipts for reimbursement?
9a. If yes: To whom should I mail or fax the receipts?
9b. Once I mail in a receipt, how long before I receive a reimbursement?
Do you require pre-approval or pre-certification of sessions?
If yes: Who must obtain the pre-approval or pre-certification? Myself? My Therapist? Either?
Can this be done over the phone? If not, what is the procedure?
How many sessions will likely be pre-approved at a time?
Who should be contacted to authorize the pre-approval?
Is there anything else I should know?
Good Faith Estimate/No Surprises Act:
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost
Under the 2021 No Surprises Act, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical services, including psychotherapy. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency services.
Teletherapy: I conduct teletherapy via HIPAA-compliant video calls (Zoom) and phone. We can talk about which medium feels most supportive for you.
What’s an initial phone consultation? When meeting someone for the first time, I first set up a free 15-minute phone consultation. That way, we can both learn more about each other. I can share how I work, and you can share with me what you're looking for, as well as ask me any initial questions you might have about me or my practice. If we seem like a good fit, we can schedule an initial session.