FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions:

How frequent are therapy sessions ?

Most people come to therapy once per week. Some people do come every other week, or even less frequently, but we generally start with once per week to get to know what issues you are dealing with, and to build a therapeutic relationship. Some people also go to therapy twice weekly, but once is generally the standard.

How long are therapy sessions ?

Sessions are generally 50 minutes long.

How long do people go to therapy ?

The course of therapy varies from a few sessions to several years, depending on what you are trying to achieve, how much benefit continue to get out of it, and how your goals continue to change over time.  You can continue to come as long as it has value for you. 

When are appointments available ?

All of our therapists manage their own schedules. Some of us start at 7:30 in the morning on weekdays and have appointments as late as 8:00. Available openings vary with each therapist. Generally speaking, evening time slots are in higher demand. Mid-day appointment times are much more often available. Many people who work a traditional schedule now have the ability to work from home a couple of days a week, and find that daytime appointments work well for them.

Do you take Insurance ?

Yes, however, we currently only take Blue Cross and Blue Shield. We accept traditional BCBS PPO insurance, as well as the BCBS "Blue Choice Preferred" PPO (Marketplace/ "Obamacare") policies. We do not accept BCBS HMO or Blue Cross Community Options. If you are unsure about your specific coverage feel free to reach out and we can easily check on your coverage and let you know what you should expect to pay before scheduling a first appointment. 

Most people with BCBS PPO insurance have a $20 or $30 copay, and insurance covers the rest of the cost.  Some people do have deductibles, but for most people the deductible only matters when treatment is at a hospital, not at an office. In most cases, whatever your pay when you go see your regular primary care physician is what you pay when you go to outpatient psychotherapy. 

Do you take out of state insurance ?

Yes, that is no problem, as long as it is Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO insurance. Sometimes it is called something else (Anthem in CA, or Empire in NY), but as long as your card says BCBS and PPO somewhere on it we should be in-network.

how much does it cost ?

Our full fee when billing insurance is $160. However, most people with insurance have only a $20 or $30 copay, and insurance covers the rest of the cost. If you do not have insurance or you are paying out of pocket for any reason we provide a slightly reduced fee, generally $140 for working with one of our psychologists, and $120 for our counselors and social workers.

what is out-of-network reimbursement ?

If you have coverage through a company that we are not in network with, it may be possible for you to submit a form (that we automatically email you monthly) to your insurance company, and then they will reimburse you for a percentage of your out-of-network cost (it is often 50%. If you wish to make an appointment and you have health insurance through a company other than BCBS, call your insurance provider and ask what your coverage is for "out-of-network individual therapy in an office setting."  

how does billing work ?

We are a small practice and do not have a dedicated billing department. We are able to keep a card on file through our software provider, and you are automatically invoiced after your insurance claim is processed. As a result, we generally eliminate the need to send out bills.

There are rare occasions when insurance does not cover what we expected it to, but this is rare. 

I received a bill from my insurance company ?

This is likely an "Explanation of Benefits" document from your insurance company. It explains what they paid us and what it was for, and how much of our fee was not covered by your insurance. Many people mistake this for a bill because it says "You may still owe your provider $20." Insurance companies will never send you a bill.

What is CONFIDENTIALITY ?

Confidentiality is a core tenant of our roles as psychotherapists. It means that your therapist is not allowed to talk with anyone about your treatment. This is an essential part of psychotherapy. In addition to being a legal and ethical requirement of our profession, it is imperative to our work as people privileged to have a window into your private life. Therapists guard your confidentiality very closely, and are very careful to not betray your trust.  

Do you have a cancellation policy ?

Yes. We respect your time, and we simply ask that you respect ours. We ask that you try to give us 24 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment. If appointments are canceled day of, you may be held responsible for the full amount of the appointment (not just your copayment). Appointments rescheduled for the same week do not incur a missed appointment fee. We do not like to charge for missed appointments; usually, any reasonable communication prevents these charges.