Frequently Asked Questions
What age groups do you work with?
I work with individual adults (typically 21 and up). During our work together if you or a family member need a referral to a provider who works with children, teens, families, or couples, I have connections to many colleagues who can provide these services.
Can you help me with my relationship?
Yes, I can help you understand what’s going on in your relationship and how to improve it. Often this approach works better than traditional couples counseling. This is especially true if your partner does not treat you well or you don’t understand why they do what they do. I would be happy to help you determine your best course of action in any case. If it makes sense for you and your partner to engage in couples counseling, I can refer you to a colleague who specializes in this.
Can I use my insurance?
Yes! I am in-network for most plans from the following companies (excluding Medi-Cal plans):
- Aetna
- Alignment Health Plan Medicare Advantage via Optum
- Blue Cross/Blue Shield Federal Employee Program (FEP)
- Blue Cross/Blue Shield (out-of-state Blue Card only; need ID to check if in- or out-of-network)
- Blue Shield of California*
- Cigna (starting 9/1/21 name is Evernorth)
- Covered California (ONLY: Blue Shield of California, Health Net and Sharp)
- Evernorth (prior to 9/1/21 name is Cigna)
- Health Net*
- Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Humana
- Magellan Behavioral Health (NOT EAP)
- Medicare
- MHN (Managed Health Network now Health Net)
- Optum (United Behavioral Health/UnitedHealthcare)
- Oxford (UnitedHealthcare)
- Sharp Rees-Stealy and Sharp Community Medical Group UHC (Medicare Advantage ONLY) via Optum
- Sharp Health Plan Plan (from 1/1/24 for commercial and Covered California and from 2/1/24 for Medicare Advantage*) via Magellan
- Tricare
- UnitedHealthcare/United Behavioral Health
* including Covered California’s Blue Shield, Health Net plans and Sharp Health Plan
If I am not on your insurance panel, you may get reimbursed for a portion of your fees if your plan allows you to see “out-of-network” psychologists
What are your fees?
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- $200 for initial session (intake)
- $170 for 55 minute session.
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health 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 expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.
You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, 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. 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
.
What forms of payment do you accept?
I accept American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa, and checks.
Do you do telehealth video therapy sessions?
Yes, this allows you to attend your session when you would otherwise be unable to get to my office. Many people find this method as effective as a face-to-face meeting and sometimes more so.
I use a secure, encrypted audio/video platform designed especially for doctors, therapists, and their patients called doxy.me. It’s easy to use from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. There’s no software to download – you just follow a link. My clients tell me it’s easier than the personal tools they use like Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom and with doxy.me, your session is secure and confidential. There is no extra charge for this service and many insurance plans cover it. For information you would need to have a telehealth session with me, see my Telehealth Flyer.
Do you wonder how this would work for you given your equipment, technology, or reservations about remote therapy? I would be happy to do a brief, free “sound check” session so you can try it.
How do I set up an initial appointment?
What happens at my first session?
Depending on what makes you more comfortable, I will invite you to either talk about what brings you to therapy or ask you questions about that. I may ask for details about your history and upbringing, such as, “What was it like growing up in your family?” You’re always welcome to ask me questions about anything during the process. Often, we’ll have enough time to explore what “success” might mean to you if we work together.
You’ll get to know me and experience my style well enough to have a sense of whether or not you’d like to continue our work together. That’s up to you! You are under no commitment to do anything other than what works for you.
From my standpoint, I’ll be getting to know you well enough to begin forming a way of working together that works best for you and for what you want out of coming to therapy. It’s all about you!
What are your hours?
I schedule appointments Monday through Thursday from 9-5. I do schedule some evening appointments, but I can offer you more flexibility during the daytime. This is because evening (and lunch time appointments) are in high demand and tend to be booked well in advance.
How long are your sessions?
Sessions are generally about 45-55 minutes. An exception is the first appointment may last up to 75 minutes. Longer sessions are available, but insurance companies typically only pay for 45-60 minutes, depending on the company. Please ask me about this.
What is your cancellation policy?
I reserve a specific time slot for your appointments. Therefore, I need a minimum of 24 hours notice from you for rescheduling or canceling an appointment. I charge a cancellation fee of $50 for sessions missed or rescheduled without sufficient notification. Insurance companies will not reimburse for missed sessions.
Where is your office?
3150 El Camino Real, Suite C
Carlsbad, CA 92008
The building is on the northeast corner of El Camino Real and Carlsbad Village Drive. Suite C is on the second floor and you may access it by elevator or stairs.