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what Should i expect during my 15-min consultation?
It's a 15-minute call. Free of cost, free of pressure.
Therapy can be nerve-wracking, especially if you’re just getting started or starting with someone new. Here are some areas I usually cover in consultation calls to help alleviate the fear of the unknown.
Therapy can be nerve-wracking, especially if you’re just getting started or starting with someone new. Here are some areas I usually cover in consultation calls to help alleviate the fear of the unknown.
- Reasons for seeking therapy at this current moment and any prior treatment.
- What was helpful or unhelpful about previous experiences.
- What areas of your life you most want to address.
- Whether you’re interested in short-term or long-term work.
- Vibe check: How are you feeling on the call itself? Feelings, even the intangible ones, are important to notice and follow.
How does therapy help?
In a world where most people run on auto-pilot and survival mode, therapy is an intentional space to pause, reflect, and set goals as to what comes next. It can help you work through challenges, process difficult emotions, gain personal insight, build effective life skills, and create meaningful change. Progress is made depending on your level of commitment to the process.
do i need therapy?
You can seek professional treatment at any time for any reason. You don't have to be struggling or in the worst period of your life to want to seek ways to improve it and work through issues in the past, present, and future. You can feel content with your life and get therapy.
What can i expect for my first appointment?
The intake is different from a session. We will be going over policies, consents, and expectations. We will go over the reasons you decided to reach out for therapy and your goals along with your history (mental, medical, family, etc.). Together, we will develop a plan with your goals and how you will know you have met these goals.
Please be sure to complete all your electronic intake paperwork prior to your first session. This allows us to maximize our session.
Please be sure to complete all your electronic intake paperwork prior to your first session. This allows us to maximize our session.
What does a typical session look like?
I often encourage people to start out weekly for at least a month to get to know each other better. I'll provide you effective tools for you to apply outside of sessions and we can adjust the frequency of our sessions once you begin to see improvements.
Sessions often begin with a recap since our last meeting and then making an agenda as to what would be most helpful for you to explore during the session. Then it is a mixture of skill-building, building awareness, insight, and education. I will often give things to consider and think about before the next session.
Sessions often begin with a recap since our last meeting and then making an agenda as to what would be most helpful for you to explore during the session. Then it is a mixture of skill-building, building awareness, insight, and education. I will often give things to consider and think about before the next session.
How long will i need therapy for?
It depends! Some people benefit from 3 sessions vs. others 6 months, to life long therapy. It is up to you and I am happy to give you input, provide feedback, and share my recommendation on options.
How will I know I'm done with therapy?
Therapy looks different for everyone. We will work together to clearly identify your needs and closely monitor your progress throughout our time together, making sure it still feels helpful for you. My ultimate goal is to see you get to a place where you are ready to graduate from therapy with new confidence.
i'm not in california, can you see me?
Unfortunately, I can't. I am only licensed in California at this time.
I need help sooner than my appointment, what do i do?
If you need to schedule an appointment sooner or another one, please reach out and I will accommodate to my best ability.
If it's a crisis, please go to your local emergency room or call the Crisis Line at 988.
Check the Crisis Resources tab for more information.
If it's a crisis, please go to your local emergency room or call the Crisis Line at 988.
Check the Crisis Resources tab for more information.
what is the price of a session and how long are they?
$200 per 50-minute session for individuals
$250 per 50-minute session for couples/family therapy
Please check Services & Pricing for more information
$250 per 50-minute session for couples/family therapy
Please check Services & Pricing for more information
what is the cancellation policy?
If you must cancel an appointment, please do so within 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment. Clients who miss appointments without canceling 24 hours in advance will be charged the full session fee.
Do YOU take INSURANCE?
I take Aetna, United Healthcare, Optum, Oscar, and Oxford.
If yours was not listed, I have an option that might be able to help you use your insurance. All you need is your insurance card, and I will input it into an OON (out of network) calculator to see how much your insurance will reimburse. It can be up to 80% of the session!
(use link below)
If yours was not listed, I have an option that might be able to help you use your insurance. All you need is your insurance card, and I will input it into an OON (out of network) calculator to see how much your insurance will reimburse. It can be up to 80% of the session!
(use link below)
https://app.mentaya.com/p/ATwHdcYNeFo0E66ZVTXd
If you qualify, Mentaya will file claims and handle the insurance paperwork to make sure you get reimbursed.
They charge a 5% fee per claim and have helped people get thousands of dollars back per year.
Note: Mentaya's goal is to save you time and money. It's completely optional, and as your therapist I do not benefit in any way from your participation.
They charge a 5% fee per claim and have helped people get thousands of dollars back per year.
Note: Mentaya's goal is to save you time and money. It's completely optional, and as your therapist I do not benefit in any way from your participation.
is therapy confidential?
Yes, with a few exceptions.
- You're a danger to yourself (meaning you have a specific plan to attempt suicide) or a danger to others
- You tell me something I'm legally required to report (abuse of a child, elder, person with disabilities, or dependent)
- Insurance company audits to release limited information about your care (if you're using insurance)
- If you make or made threats towards someone else in order to safeguard the other person from possible harm
- A court order or subpoena legally requires me to share information about your case
What is a "good faith estimate"?
With the new No Surprises Act, you have the right to receive a "Good Faith Estimate" at the start of services that explain how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, 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 items and services.
- You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
- Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, or any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
- If you receive a bill that is at least $400 or more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
- Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit. www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-985-3059.
What is SLIDING SCALE and how can i qualify?
Sliding scale is when the therapist will adjust their price based on your income and what you can afford.
I provide a few sliding scale slots in my schedule on a limited basis depending on your financial situation.
I provide a few sliding scale slots in my schedule on a limited basis depending on your financial situation.
GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE Good Faith Estimate (GFE) As of January 1, 2022, under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act you have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost with any of your medical providers. We will review this GFE anytime there is an adjustment to fees in the future. To learn more about this follow this link.
Do you write ESA (emotional support animal) letters?
No, I do not provide these services.
I'M STILL FEELING HESITANT BOOKING A CONSULTATION OR COMMITTING, WHAT DO I DO?
Remember that you don't have to commit to anything and that you can stop at any time (no hard feelings!) Take the first step and see how you feel. For the overthinkers, I have a mini website to help those that are still unsure to get to know me more.
https://learnaboutlisa.weebly.com
How do i schedule with you?
I currently have several openings during the weekdays. Please fill out the form below.
