First Visit
What to know before your first visit
Private pay therapy fees
FEES
Individual therapy – $180 for a 50 minute session.
Groups and workshops – Rates are set independently. Contact me to inquire about group therapy or to request a retreat or workshop.
Rates are increased from time to time.
INSURANCE
While I only accept private pay, many PPO insurance plans will reimburse for some of the cost of therapy delivered by an out-of-network provider. I can make what’s called a “superbill” available upon request for you to submit to your insurance company.
For more information, please review your coverage carefully by checking:
-What are my Behavioral Health Benefits
-What is my deductible and has it been met?
-How many sessions per year does my health insurance cover?
-What is the coverage amount per therapy session for “Out of Network Providers”?
-Is approval or preauthorization required from my primary care physician?
*You can also use your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) card to pay for sessions. This is a great way to potentially reduce your annual tax rate, invest in yourself, and maintain a higher level of privacy & control over your treatment than if using insurance.
SLIDING SCALE
If you are experiencing financial hardship or do not have the resources to afford therapy, you can call or email to inquire whether a reduced fee slot is available.
ACCEPTED PAYMENTS
Cash / Zelle / Venmo / Credit Card
I also accept HSA/FSA funds, which are pre-tax dollars used to pay for approved health expenses.
I know that therapy is expensive, and you might not want to make the commitment or be able to justify the cost. I can tell you that therapy changed my life in more ways than I can count. It has been a priceless asset to my life. I want you to know it is possible to find safety, love, and personal power in your life if you do the work and target the real issues.
Location
My offices are located in Sherman Oaks, on the southwest corner of Van Nuys Blvd and Moorpark.
Limited free street parking is available, as well as metered street parking, and a cash only parking lot with attendant at a rate of $8/day right behind the building.
ADA accessible.
NOTE: Full Address and unit will be provided once appointment is booked.
Cancellation policy
Cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance of the appointment. If cancellation is not made 24 hours in advance, or you otherwise miss your appointment, you will be billed for the normal session rate.
Good Faith Estimate
You are entitled to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” of what the charges could be for psychotherapy services provided to you.
While it is not possible for a psychotherapist to know, in advance, how many psychotherapy sessions may be necessary or appropriate for a given person, this form provides an estimate of the cost of services provided. Your total cost of services will depend upon the number of psychotherapy sessions you attend, your individual circumstances, and the type and amount of services that are provided to you.
This estimate is not a contract and does not obligate you to obtain any services from the provider. Normally, psychotherapy is provided once a week at my current rate of $180 / 50 minute session, which would amount to approximately $9360 / year. How much you pay could change based on how often you attend, and how long your weekly sessions are.
Tele–Therapy
I am currently providing secure HIPAA compliant tele-therapy. For video calls, I utilize a high quality full frame Canon camera so that you can best see my face and utilize a virtual private network (VPN) for added security. I will continue to provide hybrid services, allowing you the most flexibility in choosing between in-person and online appointments.
Privacy Considerations
If you are considering using your PPO Out of Network insurance to pay for all or some of your therapy, there are certain additional considerations you should understand. When you choose to pay for your own therapy rather than going through your insurance company, you maintain greater control over your treatment and privacy. Insurance companies require an official mental health diagnosis in order to process and reimburse claims.
Some companies want additional personal information and/or treatment progress reports to determine fee payment, length of treatment, etc. Additionally, it is possible that this personal information, including your diagnosis, will remain in your medical history and might affect later access to health or disability coverage, even after you’ve made progress and no longer need therapy.
Urgent/Crisis Situations
Safety is my highest priority. If there is a potential of any physical danger to you or others, call 911 or 988 immediately or go to the closest emergency room before contacting me. After securing emergency services, please reach out to me via phone and leave a detailed voicemail or a secure message through my online portal.
Social media policy
I am unable to accept “friend” or contact requests from current or former patients on any social networking site (Facebook, LinkedIn, Venmo, etc). Adding patients on these sites may compromise confidentiality and the therapeutic relationship.
Encounters in Public
If I encounter current or former patients outside the office, my approach will be aimed to protect your confidentiality. I will not initiate a greeting or acknowledge you, but if you greet me, I will interpret that as your signal and permission for me to greet you and acknowledge you in return. I will not be offended if you opt to maintain your privacy. I hope you will understand that I am not giving you a cold shoulder.