What are out-of-network benefits?

Here's a breakdown:

✨ If your insurance plan offers out-of-network benefits, it means they will cover a portion of the cost when you see a therapist who doesn't have a direct contract with your insurance company.

✨ Unlike in-network providers, who bill your insurance company directly, with out-of-network therapists, you typically pay for the session upfront and then submit a claim to your insurance for reimbursement.

✨ Insurance companies often reimburse a percentage of the therapist's fee, usually after you meet an out-of-network deductible. For example, after you meet a $1,000 deductible, your insurance may reimburse 50-80% of the session cost.

✨ Out-of-network benefits give you the flexibility to choose a therapist based on your needs and preferences, not just those in-network.

Can I use out-of-network benefits?

In some cases you may be eligible to use out-of-network insurance benefits. You will be responsible for paying for each session in full at time of appointment. ​

I work with Mentaya, a platform that helps clients get money back on out-of-network therapy sessions. If you have out-of-network benefits, Mentaya will file claims and handle the insurance paperwork to make sure you get reimbursed. This service will be provided at no cost to you.

Note: Mentaya's goal is to save you time and money. It's completely optional, and as your therapist I do not benefit in any way from your participation.

How do I access my out-of-network benefits? / How much will I pay for therapy using out-of-network benefits?

You can use this out-of-network reimbursement calculator to get an individualized estimate of what your costs will be using your out-of-network benefits!

If you have out-of-network benefits, they typically will reimburse you for 60-80% of the cost of each session.

If you’d like, I will submit claims to your insurance company on your behalf via Mentaya at no additional cost to you!

How do I submit out of network insurance claims on my own?

Your out-of-network benefits are usually pretty straightforward to use. To make things even simpler for you, I’ve partnered with a company, Mentaya, who will submit your claims to your insurance company at no cost to you.

Should you decide to submit on your own, most insurance companies have you upload your monthly superbill online (it’ll be sent to you on the 1st of each month) and then they will mail you a check with your reimbursement.

It’s always a good idea to call the number on the back of your health insurance card listed under Member Services.

You can ask them the following questions:

• Do I have out-of-network outpatient mental health coverage? Am I able to use these benefits for telehealth?

• What is my out-of-network deductible?

• How much of my deductible has been met this year?

• Do I need a referral from an in-network provider to see someone out-of-network?

• What percentage of outpatient psychotherapy sessions are covered per session?

• How much will I be reimbursed for a 45 minute psychotherapy session (CPT code: 90834)?

• How do I submit claim forms for reimbursement?

• How long does it take for me to receive reimbursement?

  
  

What if I can’t afford your rate? Do you offer a sliding scale?

Yes, I reserve a limited number of sliding scale spots in my schedule. If you do not think you can afford my full fee, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

If I’m unable to offer you a sliding scale spot, I’d be happy to offer referrals to trusted clinicians in the area.

If you’re hoping to find an in-network provider, www.psychologytoday.com is a great resource.

Can you work clients anywhere in the country?

No, therapists can only provide services in the states they are licensed. I am only licensed to work with residents of California. You must live in California in order for us to work together.

What if I’m not sure we are a good fit?

Before scheduling a therapy session, I do a free 15 minute intro call with all potential new clients. This gives us the chance to get to know each other. Here’s what you can expect:

• I’ll ask you about why you’re seeking therapy

• I’ll tell you a bit about myself and my approach as a therapist

• You can ask me any questions that I didn’t cover

• We’ll talk about rates, insurance, availability, etc.

So we are a good fit. What’s Next?

If we both decide we're a good fit after our intro call, we'll schedule our first therapy appointment. I'll send you a couple of quick forms to complete before our first session. I'll also send you a link for our first video call.

What’s the first therapy session like?

As an emotion focused therapist, I will be attentive, responsive and engaged in the story of your life experiences that will make getting started a bit easier. During our first session or two, I'll ask you a bunch of questions to get a better picture of your life journey and to begin understanding of your unique emotional needs and what sparks your inner feelings . I will listen to you without judgment. During therapy you'll have an opportunity to vent, gain perspective and new insights, and learn to deepen your understanding of how your emotions play their role in your life and/or relationships. Sometimes therapy can be tough work, and sometimes it is fun and full of laughter. Either way, I am here twith you and will help you achieve the growth you are looking for either personally or as a couple.

How often will we meet?

I meet with the majority of my clients on a weekly basis. I recommend that all new clients commit to meeting weekly, for at-least the first 6 weeks. This will allow us to start off on a strong foot, so you can start seeing progress right away.

Together we can decide to increase or decrease the frequency of sessions to best meet your needs.

How long will I need to be in therapy?

My approach is emotion focused. This means your time frame will be unique to your needs, past life experiences, whether or not we are processing trauma, and most importantly how secure you feel handling and embracing your emotional range. This is to say I can’t give a specific time as everyones speed of personal growth varies given multiple factors. However I will say that many of my existing clients find that they begin seeing growth and and a stronger ability to process their emotions in 3-6 months and tend to decrease frequency of sessions. My clients range all the way from twice a week to once a month to check ins as needed.

I also have clients who choose to remain in therapy for much longer; they have seen improvements and still really enjoy having ongoing support and a place to process their thoughts and feelings each week.