FAQ
How do I set up my first appointment?
Ready to move forward? Feel free to call, text, email or use this form to set up a free 20 minute phone consultation. This initial consultation will help us determine if I am the right fit for your needs.
Do you accept insurance?
I am an out-of-network provider which means I do not accept insurance at this time. If you have out-of-network benefits for psychotherapy, you may be eligible to receive partial or full reimbursement. Before our first session, I encourage you to contact your insurance provider to determine your coverage. Some questions to ask include whether your plan covers psychotherapy, what the deductible is and whether it has been met, what the coverage amount is per therapy session, how many sessions per calendar year your plan covers and whether you need prior approval or a referral in order to receive benefits with an out-of-network provider. If you choose to bill your insurance, I can provide you a monthly statement that you may submit to insurance in order to request out-of-network benefits.
What is your typical fee?
My fee is $200/50 minute session. Payment is due at time of service via check or major credit card.
Do you offer sliding scale services?
I reserve a limited number of sliding scale appointments so that services may be available to people who may not have coverage otherwise. We can discuss this option prior to scheduling your first appointment.
Where do I find information about receiving a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges?
On January 1, 2022, Federal Legislation entitled the “No Surprises Act” went into effect. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who do not have insurance or are not using insurance an estimate of the expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. For more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
What are the length and frequency of sessions?
A standard session is 50 minutes in length. It is usually recommended to meet at a standard time on a weekly basis; however, frequency of sessions and length of treatment will depend upon the needs of the client, goals for treatment and current circumstances.
Will my information remain confidential?
As a psychotherapy client, you have privileged communication. This means that your relationship with me as my client, all information disclosed in our sessions, and any written records of those sessions are confidential and may not be revealed to anyone without your written permission, except where law requires disclosure. Some exceptions to confidentiality as mandated by law include:
If there is a reasonable suspicion of child, dependent or elder abuse, I am required by law to report to the appropriate authorities.
If a client threatens serious harm to another person, to property or is gravely disabled, I am required to take appropriate steps which may include notifying the police, informing the intended victim and seeking potential hospitalization to ensure the client’s safety.
If a client intends to harm him/herself, I will make every effort to ensure their safety. If the client refuses to cooperate, I may be required to seek hospitalization for the client, or to contact family members or others to provide protection.
Disclosure may be required as well in a legal proceeding. We can discuss confidentiality in greater detail and answer any questions you might have during our initial meeting.
If I want to learn more online, where is a good place to start?
Mental Health Resources
↳UCSF Mental Health Topics
Family Building Options
↳ Resolve
Infertility
↳ Reproductive Facts
Pregnancy and Infant Loss
↳ Hand Of The Bay Area
↳ Return to Zero: HOPE
Adoption
↳ Adoptive Families
↳ National Council for Adoption
LGBTQ Families
↳ Our Family Coalition
↳ Gay Parents To Be Resource Center
Single Mothers
↳ Single Mothers by Choice
Postpartum Support
↳ Postpartum Support International
Cancer
↳ American Cancer Society
Well-Being
↳ Greater Good Magazine
Who do I contact in an emergency?
In an emergency, including a threat to your safety or the safety of others, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. Contacting me using this form, email or telephone does not constitute or establish a professional or therapeutic relationship and is not appropriate for emergency services.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) and Crisis Support Services of Alameda Crisis Line (1-800-309-2131) are available 24 hours a day. You do not need to be experiencing suicidal thoughts to call these numbers. Trained crisis intervention counselors are available to receive crisis calls and give supportive counseling 24 hours a day, every day.