FAQ
FAQ
What is a marriage and family therapist (MFT or LMFT)?
MFTs are healing arts practitioners licensed through the board of behavioral sciences in the state of California. Requirements include either a master’s degree or doctorate degree, 3,000 hours of supervised experience post-degree, and passing both a written and clinical vignette examination. MFTs treat individuals, couples, and families with a focus on understanding how people operate within the context of their families and look at problems from a relational standpoint. Please see www.camft.org for more information!
What is a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC)?
LPCCs take into account individual development, personality, socioeconomic, ethnicity and cultural factors when it comes to addressing challenges. LPCCs also require either a master's degree or doctorate degree, 3,000 hours of supervised experience post-degree and passing a written and clinical vignette exam.
What forms of payment do you take?
I require a valid credit card to be on file for all clients. I am able to make alternate payment arrangements (check, paypal, venmo) for established clients.
What are your fees?
My current session fees are $210 per 50 minute session and $210 for initial evaluation. I do not bill insurance companies directly but if you have a PPO or HSA/FSA I can provide a superbill receipt that you may be able to turn in for reimbursement depending on your individual out of network benefits. I offer detailed instructions on how to do this, and I have some discounts available. So please reach out and ask if you might qualify for a discounted slot if you are concerned about fees.
When therapists contract with insurance companies and bill them directly, the insurance companies are able to dictate the types of therapy I can provide and the length of time I am able to provide it. They have the right to review your private session notes as a condition of payment. I am able to provide the best quality therapy by working outside of this system where I can make clinical choices based on your personal needs, not an insurance company's guidelines, and I am able to keep your therapy private.
Therapy is an investment in your quality of life and relationships and I am unable to do the best work possible if I have to also cater to an insurance companies contractual demands for moving people through my practice as quickly as possible. Because I do not accept insurance I am able to offer a more personalized concierge therapeutic experience for my clients.
How do I choose a therapist?
Research has shown that the best predictor of a good therapeutic outcome is how comfortable a client feels with their therapist. During our first session it is a time for both of us to get to know each other. I will take a thorough background and give you a treatment plan on what interventions I feel might be the most effective and what your treatment course might look like. I encourage my clients to ask questions and give me ongoing feedback about what is helpful or not helpful.