Pricing
The standard cost of a 50-minute therapeutic hour is $195.
I also offer 80-minute sessions at $300 for those wishing to progress more rapidly. A "Good Faith Estimate" is available upon request to summarize anticipated charges, in accordance with the law.
Discounted rates may be offered on a limited basis to assist with economic hardship.
Victim reimbursement is available through the State of California for medical expenses (to include counseling) when a report is filed with the appropriate law enforcement agency within one year of the crime for adult victims, before the age of 19 for minor victims, or before the age of 28 in the case of sex crime victims. For more information visit the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board and download a compensation application.
Using Insurance
Using your medical insurance to cover the cost of therapy is a decision to weigh carefully. In order to submit claims for insurance reimbursement, I must disclose otherwise confidential information to a third-party payor and am no longer able to ensure that your personal information will remain private. Insurance companies require a significant mental health diagnosis in order to authorize payment, which then becomes a part of your permanent medical record and may affect future job eligibility or background checks. Not everyone who comes to me for treatment has impairment of the chronicity or severity to warrant a diagnosis of this type and it would be both unethical and unfair to so label my clients. Insurance providers frequently audit records and may refuse to cover further sessions and ask for repayment if, in their non-professional assessment, they believe mental health services are not medically necessary. For these reasons, I choose not to work directly with insurance providers.
I can offer you an itemized invoice or "superbill" for purposes of reimbursement from your PPO insurance plan, and I do accept health savings plan and medical savings plan credit or debit cards.
Can you offer me a payment plan?
Ethical standards of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) and the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT) prohibit therapists from extending credit or placing themselves in the position of bill collector. All payments are due at the time of services rendered. If you are having difficulty covering the investment cost of your therapy needs, please discuss this directly with me to explore options.