About Therapy

Does the thought of starting therapy scare you? Have you wondered what therapy is like and how it can assist you?

First off, I want to let you know that therapy and counseling are not as scary as you might imagine. In fact, the changes you can make in therapy can lead to you living a more powerful and exciting life. Add a space here Hopefully I can answer come of your questions here but also feel free to call me so we can speak more about the power of therapy in person.

What to Expect in Therapy

As a client you get to talk about what's going on with you.  What's hurting in your life?  How do you take the next step? You choose where we go and what we talk about.  I, as your therapist, will guide you into looking a little deeper so you can get on with living life.

How Do We Get Started?

In the first few sessions I will get to learn about you to better understand your situation and how therapy can help you. It will also give you a chance to ask more questions of me. We will set goals together and explore what you are expecting out of therapy.

As therapy continues we will build a strong relationship where it feels safe to look at the tough stuff. We will look at how past events have influenced your current life, while uncovering strengths to get your life moving again.

Therapy offers a safe place for exploration and through a relationship of support, trust, and honesty, a means to finding contentment, happiness and fulfillment. Participating in therapy can open up new ways of seeing life’s challenges as well as building on the strengths necessary to meet those challenges in a healthy and beneficial manner.

Scheduling Appointments

In order to be effective, therapy should take place on a regular weekly basis with appointments that consist of a 50-minute session. Payment is expected at the start of each session by either check or cash. Missed appointments without 24 hours prior notice will be charged at full rate.

About Insurance

It is not the policy of this office to accept insurance. There are several reasons for this. When using your insurance most carriers require that you are given a mental disorder diagnosis to qualify for coverage. This diagnosis will become part of your medical record. There is no assurance that your provider will keep this information confidential.  Information about current insurance use and diagnosis may have an effect on future insurance availability and use. Please consider this information when looking to use insurance for therapy.

Confidentiality

In general, information disclosed within session is confidential and may not be revealed to anyone. The law provides for certain exceptions in which the therapist is legally required to disclose information from session: when there is reasonable suspicion of child abuse or elder or dependent adult abuse, or where the client threatens violence to an identifiable victim. The law also permits a therapist to break confidentiality when a client presents a danger of violence to others or is likely to harm him or herself unless protective measures are taken. Disclosure may also be required in certain legal proceedings.

Good Faith Estimate

Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, health care providers and health care facilities are required to inform individuals who are not enrolled in a plan or coverage or a Federal health care program, or not seeking to file a claim with their plan or coverage both orally and in writing of their ability, upon request or at the time of scheduling health care items and services, to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” of expected charges.

Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
• Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
• If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
• Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises

NOTICE TO PATIENTS
The Board of Behavioral Sciences receives and responds to complaints regarding services provided within the scope of practice of licensed marriage and family therapists, You may contact the board online at www.bbs.ca.gov, or by calling 916.574.7830.