FAQ about Trauma Counseling
Additional Information
What insurances do you take?
I am paneled with Blue Shield Prime Healthcare/Keenen, Triwest (VA) and California Victims Board Cal VCB. For other insurance panels I are happy to provide you with a super-bill documenting your services that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
How do I verify my insurance benefits?
Call your insurance company and ask if they cover teletherapy and/or psychological testing. You can also sometimes request a higher reimbursement rate if we are out of network so you can recoup more of your cost.
What is my deductible and co-pay?
Your deductible and co-pay are set by your insurance company and are your share of cost. There are generally in network and out of network benefits and these may differ. Once your deductible is met your insurance company will generally cover your session (if I am in network) and/or a portion of your session (if I am out of network) depending on how much they pay out per session and my fees. You are always responsible each session however for your co-pay regardless of whether or not your deductible is met. Although I may submit the billing to your insurance company if I am in-network with them, I may not be able to do this if I am out of network. If I am out of network and cannot easily courtesy bill your insurance than I will provide you a super-bill you can submit to them if you desire to do so.
You don’t take my insurance. Can you still see me?
While we are not “in network” for every insurance, that doesn’t mean we cannot work with you. I am happy to provide you a super-bill which you can submit to your health insurance for reimbursement to recoup some or most of your therapy or psychological testing costs if you desire to do so. The questions to ask are: Do I have out of network benefits? What is my out of network deductible? How much will you reimburse for a psychologist (PhD level) providing CPT code 90837 (53 min of psychotherapy) or 96130 (psychological testing), etc.
When is payment due for services?
Payment is due for your therapy session at the end of each session. I use an online billing service which keeps your credit card secure. Your credit card will be automatically billed once you have completed a session and/or the full cash rate if you miss your session without adequate notice of the need to cancel or change your appointment.
For psychological testing an initial deposit of $250 is due to start your testing process i.e. the diagnostic interview (if we do not take your insurance). Then $500 more to start the formalized testing process. The remainder of your cost will be due at the end of the testing process before you are provided a copy of the finalized report.
How much notice do I need to give you for cancellations?
I request as much notice of a need to cancel or reschedule an appointment as possible; however, if you do not give 24 hours’ notice you will be charged the full cash fee. Exceptions can be made for emergencies; however, you will need to reschedule with me within the same week in most cases. It is important to note, however, that I may or may not be able to reschedule you...(i.e. we all get busy and don't always have extra time).
What are your cash pay rates?
· Assessment Sessions $175
· 53-60 minute ongoing therapy session is $170
· Time preparing psychotherapy related paperwork is charged at $50 for 30 minutes of my time.
· Psychological testing per hour (which includes non-face to face time) is $180 an hour.
o While time for testing can vary depending on the complexity of the case most evaluations
are between eight and ten hours of the psychologist’s time.
o A $250 deposit for the diagnostic interview is needed to start the process if you miss/reschedule with
less than 48 hours notice and then a $500 deposit for the formalized testing processing is required to
start unless we take your insurance and it covers testing.
o Reports are not finalized until after the final feedback session to allow for addition and correction. The
final bill is due at the start of your feedback session for all incurred fees.
Do you have “in office” appointments?
At this time I do not. The flexibility of a teletherapy practice allows me to work with you more fluidly and more reliably (i.e. feeling sick, traveling (some limitations apply), during your workday, etc.). Currently only serving clients located in all of California (Redding, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Hollister, Santa Barbara, Riverside, and more), Idaho ( Pocatello, Boise, Eagle, Moscow, Coeur D'alene, and more), and Florida (Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, etc.)
What is teletherapy like?
Have you ever face timed, skyped, or used zoom or google meet with family or for work? Teletherapy is very much like this process, only it is between you and your therapist. All you need is a private comfortable space (and yes even a car will do 😊 we have all been there) and good internet connection. You can use a phone, tablet, or computer for the session. You can do it one on one with your therapist or invite someone into the session such as a partner, parent, or sibling with whom you need to work on something. They can be in the same space as you (sharing your screen), or they can log in from their own device from wherever they are located.
Teletherapy can be very beneficial because you can work with your therapist in the space you feel the most comfortable in. You can show your therapist things around your space which are triggers for you and work on dealing with them in “real time.” You can practice your skills in the space where you need them the most.
Teletherapy also allows for the most flexibility. Need to take a session during a break at school or work? No problem, just find a private space to be and there is no need to schedule in “driving.” Want to go on vacation, take a work trip, or see a sick relative? As long as you are still in the state your therapist is licensed in..there is no need to cancel your session. Struggling to find time to get away from your kids for therapy? Just set up a session during their nap time and you don’t have to find a babysitter. Don’t want anyone to know you are doing therapy because of fears of judgement? No need to drive to an office where someone could see you.. Just log in to your computer screen in the privacy of your home.
If I am not sure if we are a good fit can I talk to you?
Absolutely, send me an e-mail or leave me a message and I will schedule a free 20-minute consultation to go over your concerns and make sure that we are a good fit. Fit is as important to me as it is to you.
What is therapy like?
Therapy like any relationship is a match. After your free consultation where we can answer some basic compatibility questions, I meet with you to gather details about your history, concerns, and symptoms. This is so that I can formulate a treatment plan together and set your personal goals. This process generally takes two or three sessions. After this we start working on your goals in a more informal basis. Sessions can be direct and on task addressing your goals, or they can be about the particular crisis or concerns that you have that day. Your time with your therapist is confidential (i.e. private), with only a few legal exceptions, and we hold your confidences. This allows you to have a space where you can be free to express your true feelings, concerns, and traumatic memories confident that they will remain private and be heard in a nonjudgmental and accepting manner.
Good Faith Estimate:
A good faith estimate of potential cost for services will be provided for clients using self pay (i.e not using their insurance) to pay for their services at the beginning of our work together and again later upon request.
California Patients: NOTICE TO CONSUMERS: The Department of Consumer Affairs’ Board of Psychology receives and responds to questions and complaints regarding the practice of psychology. If you have questions or complaints you may contact the Board on the Internet at www.psychology.ca.gov, by e-mailing bopmail@dca.ca.gov, calling 1-866-503-3221 or writing to the following address: Board of Psychology 1625 North Market Blvd, Suite N-215 Sacramento, CA 95834
Florida Patients: If you or someone you know is being forced to engage in an activity and cannot leave, whether it is prostitution, housework, farm work, factory work, retail work, restaurant work, or any other activity, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 888-373-7888 or text INFO or HELP to 233-733 to access help and services. Victims of slavery and human trafficking are protected under United States and Florida law.
PTSD therapy anxiety depression trauma remote psychological testing telehealth testing EMDR CPT