Frequently Asked Questions

  • No.  This practice is not in contract or affiliated with any insurance panels.

    I am out-of-network provider. I operate independently from any insurance panels and do not directly bill your insurance company for services or accept insurance.

    However, this does not mean you can't receive benefits from your health insurance plan.

    Many of my clients find they can receive reimbursement for a portion of their expenses, through their medical/health insurance or Flexible Healthcare Spending Accounts (HSA/FSA).

    To understand your specific coverage, I recommend contacting your insurance provider directly.

    Inquire about reimbursement options for psychological or behavioral health services provided by out-of-network mental health professionals.

    I suggest asking the following questions that are relevant to you:

    • Do I have mental health benefits?

    • What is my deductible and has it been met?

    • How many sessions per calendar year does my plan cover?

    • How much does my plan cover for an out-of-network provider?

    • What is the coverage amount per therapy session?

    • Is approval required from my primary care physician?

    • Do I need a particular diagnosis for reimbursement?

    • Are telehealth appointments reimbursed at the same rate of in-person sessions?

    • What is the coverage amount per therapy session for an out-of-network psychologist? What percentage of the cost will be covered?

    This will give you a clear picture of what you can expect in terms of coverage.

    To support your reimbursement claim, I can provide a detailed superbill upon request after session or at the end of each month.  This document outlines the services rendered and associated costs, which you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement.

     While I do not handle the insurance process directly, I am committed to helping you maximize your benefits and make my services as accessible as possible.

  • Free Initial Telehealth Consultation.

    I offer complimentary initial preliminary exchanges via text or email at your convenience including weekends. This allows you to ask any questions and helps us determine if my services align with your needs.

    The online informed consent document will provide details on hourly rates and fees, consistent with other doctoral-level empirically trained psychologists in California with advanced training of similar qualification and expertise. I offer an initial 10-minute video consultation, free of charge.

    I accept payments through:

    • Credit cards

    • Debit cards

    • Healthcare Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Health Savings/Spending Accounts (HSA)

    I use a HIPAA-compliant application that safeguards your information from third-party access. Charges will be processed automatically after each appointment to a card on file.

    This will be explained in detail in the “Informed Consent” paperwork.

  • Mental health care providers come in various forms, each with their own unique qualifications and areas of expertise. The term "therapist" or “psychotherapist” encompasses a range of professionals in this field.

    Each of these mental health professionals brings their own strengths to the table, allowing patients to choose the type of therapist that best suits their specific needs and concerns.

    You might be curious about the benefits of choosing a psychologist over a masters-level therapist. While both can provide valuable mental health services, there are some key distinctions:

    Psychologists (PsyD/PhD) have:

    Extensive Education and Training

    Only a doctoral-degree holder in psychology who is licensed by the State of California can refer to themselves as a Clinical Psychologist.

    Licensed psychologists are highly trained doctoral-level professionals. They are different than life coaches, who are not licensed mental health practitioners/clinicians, and do not have/require a formalized education from an accredited university.

    Psychologists undergo a more intensive educational journey than other clinicians, typically spending an additional 2-4 years in doctoral programs and completing a research dissertation, resulting in many more supervised clinical training hours, clinical case presentations, professional/peer consultations and studies/education in research and statistics to decipher the latest research findings in the profession to effectively service clients in a competent fashion. Training requires thousands of supervised clinical training in a variety of settings. This comprehensive training equips them with:

    1. A broader range of therapeutic techniques

    2. Advanced skills in addressing complex mental health issues including evaluation and diagnosis/differential diagnoses, usually using the DSM-5-TR.

    3. The ability to conduct and interpret psychological assessments including for qualification of Specific Learning Disorders/”learning disabilities,” ADHD, formal academic accommodations, cognitive/intelligence and personality testing. More specialized psychologists who do testing in specific areas are Neuropsychologists.

    Expanded Capabilities

    Due to their extensive training, psychologists can offer services beyond traditional therapy, such as:

    • Administering and interpreting psychological tests (e.g., intelligence, academic ability, personality)

    • Teaching at the college/university level, hold leadership positions

    • Supervising doctoral-level clinicians

    • Some states require providers with a doctoral degree to authorize time-off work requests/authorizations and employer-related documentation, provide certain worker's compensation evaluations, etc

    • Psychologists have obtained the highest degree within their chosen field of study (PsyD, PhD or EdD)

    Wide Range of Clinical Experience

    The term "clinical" in a psychologist's title indicates their ability to handle a wide spectrum of mental health challenges, from mild to severe.

    However, it's important to note that not all cases require hospital-level care, and many psychologists work primarily with outpatients (non-hospitalized people) in less intense settings. Psychologists offer a unique set of skills and knowledge that may be beneficial for certain individuals or complex cases.

    -Psychologists hold doctoral degrees (PsyD or PhD). With their extensive six to seven years of specialized training, they are often considered the most qualified for in-depth psychological evaluation, diagnosis and treatment.

    -Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) typically complete three to four years of master's-level education. Their expertise lies in working with individuals, couples, and families to address relational issues.

    -Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) have usually completed two to three years of training. While they offer individual therapy, LCSWs also bring valuable knowledge of community resources and social support systems to their practice.

    Each of these mental health professionals brings their own strengths, and I encourage you to choose the type of therapist that best suits your specific needs and concerns.

  • At the outset, it can be extremely beneficial to have more frequent meetings to kickstart therapy before transitioning to weekly sessions. However, weekly sessions are generally the standard starting point and helps build momentum.

    Ongoing, consistent and active participation in therapy helps you get at the longstanding issues and make progress faster.

    Later on, your care plan might be adjusted to less frequent sessions, monthly sessions or intermittent sessions as-needed.

    Clients are encouraged to attend therapy sessions regularly, even if they feel well- not only when in crisis. Therapy is less effective as an intermittent crisis-management tool.

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