Frequently Asked Questions
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A consultation is a discussion where you and I can:
establish that first point of communication and get the ball rolling
help both of us start to get to know one another
address questions, concerns, worries, or obstacles
allow you to get a better sense of who I am so you can decide if you want to work with me
or figure out if a referral to another resource would be more appropriate
and… consults are great for reminding you that you deserve support!
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My rates are as follows:
Initial Assessment & Treatment planning: 55 minutes, $150
Follow-up appointments: 55 minutes, $150
ESA Evaluation + Certificate: 55 minutes, $150
Free for fire victims and all first responders!
Add-ons:
In-home therapy (your home or other location of your choosing): $50 for the first 5 miles from Chino Hills, $30 for each 5 miles thereafter
Extra 30 minutes: $75
Accepted forms of payment include: Zelle, credit and debit cards, checks, FSAs, and HSAs.
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Yes and no.
Currently, I have a contract through a 3rd party agency that takes insurance but I’m no longer taking referrals from them.
However, I do have openings in my private practice which does not accept insurance. This means I’m considered an “out of network” provider.
See “What is a Superbill” below to find out how you can get reimbursement for therapy from your insurance company!
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Simply put, a superbill is a long-form receipt that outlines date(s) of service, type of service, and its purpose. This can be submitted to your insurance company to request a partial reimbursement.
Most insurance companies have a pre-determined amount that they will reimburse when members go to an out of network provider like me. You can find out your reimbursement rate by speaking with member services. That number is usually found on the back of your insurance card.
(Please note, because I do not utilize your insurance benefits, I also do NOT collect co-pays.)
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Here is info I grabbed from THIS website about Superbills and the reimbursement process.
Key questions to find out include:
Do you have out-of-network benefits? If so, what is your out-of-network deductible?
Have you met your deductible?
Does your insurance plan cover the specific services you received? Some plans have exclusions to what is covered.
What is your coinsurance rate, or the portion of the bill that is your responsibility?
What percentage does your insurer cover? This is the amount you may be reimbursed.
Additional questions you may want to know:
How do I submit a superbill? Where/how do I send it in?
How quickly can I receive reimbursement?
How is the reimbursement dispersed? (method of payment)
Is there a deadline for me to submit a superbill?
Is there a limit to the number of sessions I can be reimbursed?
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Absolutely! Here are some other areas within my scope of practice:
depression
anxiety
social anxiety
life transitions
infertility
grief/bereavement
identity & self-esteem
insomnia & sleep disorders
other mood disorders
Struggling with something not listed above? Let’s talk anyway. If I can’t help, I’ll do my best to connect you to someone who can.
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An ESA is an untrained pet that supports you with your emotional/mental health needs. Having your pet certified as an ESA may be beneficial in 2 specific situations: housing and travel.
An ESA is NOT a guide, signal, or service animals and misrepresenting your pet as such is a misdemeanor.
ESAs are not afforded the same rights or privileges as guide, signal or service animals. For example, service dogs are usually allowed in public spaces (ie, hospitals, markets) whereas ESAs typically are not.
Further, a vest, ID card, tag, or leash that indicates that your pet is an ESA is unnecessary. Several websites may try to sell you on these extras to try and make ESA certification seem more credible. It doesn’t. Unfortunately, these companies often also use the words “ESA” and “Service Animal” interchangeably which is prohibited by law and confuses consumers. All that is required is a certificate (in letter form) from a licensed provider, such as a therapist, doctor, or psychiatrist, who is willing and able to assess you and your animal.
Interestingly, not all licensed providers are comfortable certifying ESAs because they are unfamiliar with the laws surrounding it or with the process itself.
That’s where I come in!
For additional info, please click here.
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Nope! This is a service I offer at no additional cost to clients who are currently enrolled in services.
However, if you have graduated, disenrolled/discharged, or require a re-certification, an evaluation may be required. Send me a message and we can figure that out.
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One of the more common complaints about therapy is the amount of time allowed per session. One way I address this is by letting clients have the option of adding extra time.
Extensions can be beneficial in the following circumstances:
periods of extreme stress but another full session is not wanted/needed
couples therapy
family therapy
therapy w/ a collateral (this is when we invite a support person to a client’s individual session)
when a client feels more time for processing, exploration, or skill enhancement is needed
Please note: I do not charge for extended sessions without your acknowledgement and consent. So, if our appointment goes longer than expected, I will not charge you.
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I have conducted several hundred in-person services throughout my career and have met clients at nearly every location you can think of.
That being said, being face-to-face is a very uniquely special interaction that can’t be perfectly duplicated when doing telehealth.
Here’s when it may help:
direct assistance with task-related problems like organization or clutter, battles with motivation, or issues with initiation
exposure and somatic work for trauma symptoms
identifying over and under stimulating triggers and problem-solving
having utmost emotional support with critical life events
enhanced interventions for couples or family sessions and more concise observation of contributing factors
providing direct support for those struggling with social anxiety, severe avoidance, or other such issues
*Your confidentiality is of utmost importance. However, if you opt to meet in a public setting, know that your confidentiality could be jeopardized. We would need to discuss further before scheduling an in-person session..
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Firstly, thank you for your service.
I partner with The Overwatch Collective and they offer financial aid for therapy. You can submit an application on their website to see if you qualify. Click HERE for more info.
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If your policy allows for reimbursement to meet with an out-of-network provider, you can use a service like https://www.mentaya.com/.
They will submit the claims on your behalf for a fee. This may be a good option for those needing help with the process or too busy to handle it on their own.
*I am not affiliated with them and am not endorsing them by any means. You will need to double check with your insurance company and verify if you qualify for any reimbursement before moving forward!