Psychotherapy

Scheduling a Free Initial Consultation

Call (415) 501-9098 and leave your name, number, and good times to reach you. If it’s more convenient, you may send me this information via my secure email form.

When I get back to you— usually within 24 hours — we can arrange a free Zoom meeting which will last roughly 10 – 15 minutes.

No assessment or clinical services will be done on this chat. This is just an opportunity for us to figure out if we should set up an initial appointment. We will talk about the issues you are seeking help with, you can ask me questions about my approach, and we will determine whether we might work well together. If we don’t think it’s a fit, I always do my best to find a good referral for you. 

You can also look at my Client Feedback to see how past clients have rated my services.

Scheduling the First Session

If our Zoom conversation indicates that we may be a good fit, we will schedule a first session. This session will provide us with more information about whether we want to schedule future sessions. If, after this meeting, you or I feel we cannot work well together, I will help you to connect with another therapist who works well with your issues.

Important Notice About the No Surprises Act (January 1, 2022)

Under the federal No Surprises Act, health care providers need to give clients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service, or at any time during treatment. 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, or how to dispute a bill, see your Estimate, or visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

For a copy of the Good Faith Estimate Notice, you can find it at this link.

Payment Methods

I accept payment by Stripe Credit Card or IVY pay (your credit card) prior to our meeting. Your card is charged the morning of your session.

Fees:

Individual Therapy

$300 for 45 minutes

Shorter or longer sessions can be arranged and they will be prorated.

Couples & Families / Multiple Partners / Relationship Therapy

$320 for 45 minutes (*Note that the 45 minute sessions are billed at a higher rate than longer sessions.)
$360 for 60 minutes
$450 for 75 minutes (*required for first three sessions)
$540 for 90 minutes

Relationship sessions that go over the booked time will be prorated per minute (at the 75 minute rate).

After Hours Sessions

Some patients request sessions outside of my regular therapy hours (after hours or on a weekend). I am occasionally able to accommodate a limited number of these requests. Please note that I add a $100 fee to weekend or after hours meetings.

Late Fees

Full payment is expected at the time of service unless otherwise agreed upon. A grace period will be allowed with no late fee if payment is received by 6:00 pm the next business day. After 6pm on the next business day, there will be a $20 charge for late payments made within the same week, and a $30 charge the next business week. I do not permit clients to carry a balance of more than two sessions and if you are unable to pay this balance, we will discuss whether it makes sense to pause your care or develop another strategy.

Fee Reduction

I do not offer reduced fee therapy for new clients. I prefer to hold reduced-fee slots for current clients who are experiencing life transitions during our work together. I do not ever want someone who is having a positive therapy experience with me to discontinue our work together at a time of need, if life circumstances change their financial reality for them.

If my fee is a concern, please discuss it with me. If I am unable to accommodate your financial situation, I will provide you with referrals.

Lateness and Cancellations

Missed and cancelled sessions pose some issues for both of us. First, the work of psychotherapy is sometimes challenging and when we hit a difficult place together, it can feel easier to avoid coming into treatment. I would prefer we speak about this intentionally rather than you canceling sessions. 

Also, I hold your scheduled appointment time specifically for you and you alone. I see a limited number of patients so that I can give you the focus and attention you deserve. It is extremely difficult for me to fill your last minute cancelled session on a short notice. Therefore, I charge for appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours notice unless we can find another time that week that works for us both. If we are able to find another time that works for us, before the weekend, I allow you to reschedule at no extra fee. 

If you live with a chronic health condition or disability that makes my cancellation policy prohibitive for you, please let me know so that we can make a good plan together that makes my services accessible to you. 

Fee Increases

I raise my fees annually, in January, to make up for the increases in my own expenses. I notify people in writing several months before the fee increase, and if it poses a significant burden to you, we can discuss what we will do about that. It is never my intention to make therapy inaccessible to my current clients and we can work together if my increases are causing you stress (or if you work in an industry in which you do not get a raise). I need to be able to cover my own expenses (and rising inflation) without having to expand my caseload to a point where I am unable to provide high quality care to the people seeking my services.

Insurance

I do not take insurance. I can provide you with a monthly billing statement for reimbursement if you wish to submit it to your insurance company.

Other Fees

If you become involved in legal proceedings that require my participation, you will be expected to pay for my professional time and services even if I have been called to testify by another party. Because of the difficulty of legal involvement and the interruption to my regular practice, I charge $450 per hour for preparation and attendance at any legal proceeding. I will provide bills/receipts at the end of each session expect to be paid upon receipt unless otherwise agreed upon.