I need therapy… now what?
Meeting with a therapist can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Below are some common questions, what to expect from my practice, and resources to help guide you on your journey to mental health wellness.
Fees & Insurance for Therapy
Fee for a standard 50-minute session is $150. We accept cash, check and credit card payments (including HSA cards).
Can I Use My Insurance to Pay for Therapy?
I do not accept insurance at my practice. If you wish to use your insurance, I can provide receipts and insurance claims for you to be reimbursed. Please check with your insurance to make sure you have out-of-network benefits. Payment is due at time of service.
Can I Have a Free Consultation?
The most important thing to me is that you get the help that you need. I, therefore, offer a free 50-minute initial consultation session so that we may meet without you having to make a financial commitment, or feel any pressure to work with me as your psychologist (there is a $50 fee if you do not come to your consultation appointment or if you cancel the appointment within 24 hours). I see this session as a way for you to begin the process of feeling better. It is a time for you to get to know me, and for me to learn more about you as a person and the difficulties you are facing. It is an opportunity for you to evaluate me, ask me any questions you may have, and determine whether I am someone you feel comfortable talking to, who understands you, and who will be able to help you.
What Does Therapy in Long Beach Cost?
The average rate for a one-hour session in Long Beach ranges from $140 to $200. I am right in the middle, charging $150 per session. Sliding scale available with consultation.
Can I use My Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for Therapy?
You absolutely can use your HSA. An HSA is a special tax-free account that can be used to pay for medical or health services. Usually you will have a debit card linked that this account, and I will gladly accept an HSA card.
Can I have an Evening or Weekend Appointment?
Absolutely. I tailor my schedule around yours. Contact me for an evening or weekend appointment, and I will make it happen.
Why Should I Invest in Therapy Myself, Rather Than Use My Insurance?
When you pay for therapy yourself, there are a few very important benefits:
No Mental Health Diagnosis goes on your medical record. When using insurance, a mental health diagnosis is required to be recorded in your medical record which may concern clients with certain sensitive jobs, or those buying life insurance or seeking other medical treatment.
Complete Confidentiality. When using insurance, your insurance company has the right to know the details of your therapy, including to see any therapy notes that exist. When you choose to pay yourself, your therapy is completely confidential, and the details of your therapy are only known by you and your therapy, not any third party.
Freedom in treatment.When using insurance, your insurance company can determine how may sessions you can receive, how long they are, what methods are used, which therapist you can see, and sometimes even the time of your session. When you pay yourself, you are in control of your own therapy and your therapist has the complete freedom to treat you as an individual. You get exactly what you need to reach your goals.
FAQ
Is therapy right for me?
People use therapy for many different reasons. Sometimes it is for help with psychological or mood problems such as anxiety or depression. Sometimes it is for help in making a change, such as living a healthier lifestyle or becoming more effective at communicating in relationships. Sometimes an unexpected change throws us into a difficult situation, such as divorce or a work transition. Many people seek out therapy as a space for personal growth and value the support and honest feedback of a therapist. Therapy is right for anyone interested in cultivating a life with more insight, flexibility and resilience.
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
People who decide to seek out therapy are taking responsibility for their lives by accepting their situation, demonstrating self-awareness, and showing the courage to act. Everyone encounters challenges in life, and sometimes a person’s skills and knowledge can meet that challenge. Sometimes a helping hand is needed. There is no weakness in accepting reality and making a commitment to get new skills, tools, and insights to navigate current and future obstacles.
How does therapy help and how long does it take?
Each therapy session is unique to each individual. Therapy can be short-term to address specific concerns, or open-ended to explore more complex issues, long-standing concerns, or continuing personal growth.
- A better understanding of yourself, your strengths and weaknesses.
- Patterns in relationships, and your unique needs.
- Identifying your goals and strategies to meet them.
- Finding resolution to long-standing concerns, issues, worries, or things you struggle with.
- Learning practical ways to cope with stress, anger, depression, or grief.
- Gaining insight into old patterns and creating new ones.
Therapists offer:
- Compassion, respect and understanding.
- A fresh perspective on a long-standing issue.
- New ways to solve problems.
- Honest and direct feedback.
- Education on psychological and emotional processes.
- A space to process your personal history, to find support for current day-to-day stress, and to plan for future goals.
Is the first session free?
Yes the first session is free because it is important to feel that you have a good “fit” with your therapist and feel comfortable. There is evidence that the therapeutic relationship is the most important factor influencing positive change in therapy. For this reason your initial consultation with me is always free. If it’s not a good fit, I will refer you to another therapist that will fit your needs.
What is the first session like?
The free initial consultation is an opportunity for you to meet me, see my office, and talk about your goals for therapy. You should ask questions about how I will work with you to meet these goals, and anything else you are curious about. My goal is to make you feel comfortable, relaxed, safe and positive. Most people think for a long time about making that initial appointment, and often feel nervous or anxious meeting a therapist for the first time. This is normal. All you have to do to is show up and be yourself.
What about medication?
It has been well established that the long-term solution to emotional and mental distress is not medication alone. This is because medication only treats symptoms (for example, insomnia or raised heart rate in the case of anxiety issues). Therapy, on the other hand, addresses directly the causes of distress and the patterns that keep us stuck. There is evidence that psychotherapy is just as effective as medication and has longer-lasting effects. Sometimes, however, the best course of action is therapy combined with medication. However, I do not have the credentials to prescribe medication, therefore working with your medical doctor or a psychiatrist can determine what’s best for you.
Is therapy confidential?
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a patient and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the patient. However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:
- Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
- If a patient is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police and the person in danger.
- If a patient intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety and in rare cases this requires contact to family members or other service providers.
Initial Consultation:
- Choosing a therapist is a crucial decision. It is essential that you like your therapist and feel at ease with him or her if treatment is going to be helpful. If you decide that you want to work with me, and I believe that I am well-suited to meet your needs, then we will discuss arrangements for beginning therapy. However, if it does not seem that we are a good match, then I will use what I have learned about you and the issues you want to address in therapy to provide you with referrals to other psychologists who will be better suited to address your concerns.