1. What is psychotherapy and how does it differ from talking to a friend?
2. What are your fees, insurance and payment policies?
3. What if my insurance is not listed here?
4. What are your practice hours?
5. How long does therapy take?
6. What if my question wasn't answered?
1. What is psychotherapy and how does it differ from talking to a friend?
The definition provided on Therapy Network's website fully answers this question:
"Psychotherapy is one of the healing arts: A time honored and powerful approach to healing the heart and soul. More simply, psychotherapy is the practice of talking things through with a skilled and trusted professional. Therapy provides a context for solving problems and healing emotional pain, and can be helpful in addressing some of the difficulties people face in their work and personal lives.
Psychotherapy is a process that allows you to explore difficult areas of your life. You can come to understand yourself more deeply, your moods and feelings, your reactions and your behavior patterns - how you have become the person you are.
Beyond that, old wounds can be healed when you are empowered to be yourself and to express your feelings in the presence of an accepting witness. The combination of new insight and freedom of self-expression can alter how you see and experience the world. It can lead to increased spontaneity, vitality, connection in relationships and the ability to make new choices.
Therapy works well when a trusting relationship develops between you and your therapist. This happens gradually, as you experience that your therapist is non-judgmental, reliable and able to support you. Trust grows when you can experience that your therapist is on your side, providing a safe place for you individually or with your family or partner. A therapeutic relationship can promote healing, self-understanding and acceptance of self and others.
Psychotherapy provides a safe place to look at those parts of your life that aren't working well and are causing you or your family pain. The therapeutic relationship is unusual because both you and your therapist give full attention to you and your situation. This allows you to focus on yourself and to speak freely in a way which may not be available in your personal or social life. While it may be difficult for friends or family to listen without judgments or expectations, or without offering advice, a therapist is trained to help you come to your own solutions. Whatever you share in therapy is protected by professional standards of confidentiality which have only a few exceptions defined by law."
2. What are your fees, insurance and payment policies?
All therapists are legally required to disclose information about their fees in advance.
- $135.00 per individual therapy session
- $155.00 per conjoint (couple/child/family) therapy session
Individual and conjoint (couple/child /family) sessions are approximately 50 minutes in length.
- $40.00 per group therapy session
Group sessions are approximately 90 minutes in length.
- $375.00 per initial or follow-up SAP evaluation with treatment recommendations or follow-up recommendations;
- $135.00 per SAP case management/treatment compliance follow-up hour
Fees are payable at the time services are rendered. Please ask if you wish to discuss an agreement that specifies an alternative payment procedure.
Insurance:
I strongly encourage you to determine whether your insurance will cover your therapy. It will be helpful for you to make a list of questions, including how many visits the insurer will pay for, whether the carrier covers only a percentage of the costs, the difference between providers who are in-network and out-of-network, and whether primary care physician approval is required for your treatment to be covered.
Please see the "Therapy Center/Insurance" page on Psychology Today's website for more information about insurance.
I am a contrated provider for: Aetna, Cigna, Magellan and several EAPs (Employee Assistance Programs).
If I am a contracted provider for your insurance company, we will discuss the procedures for billing your insurance. The amount of reimbursement and the amount of any co-payments or deductible depends on the requirements of your specific insurance plan. You should be aware that insurance plans generally limit coverage to certain diagnosable mental conditions. You should also be aware that you are responsible for verifying and understanding the limits of your insurance coverage. Although I will be happy to assist your efforts to seek insurance reimbursement, I am unable to guarantee whether your insurance will provide payment for the services provided to you. You will be responsible for the costs of therapy not covered by your insurance.
Please ask any questions or concerns that you may have about this. If you find that you are unable to continue paying for your therapy, you should inform your therapist to discuss any options that may be available to you at that time.
3. What if my insurance is not listed here?
If I am not a contracted provider with your insurance provider, you may be able to access out-of-network benefits to work with me. You need to call the number on your insurance ID card to determine whether you have this coverage and how much, if anything, you will be reimbursed for the services of someone who is not in their network. Also, you will need to know how to submit requests for reimbursement. If you choose to access out-of-network benefits in order to utilize my services, I will provide statements for you to submit to your insurance provider.
4. What are your practice hours?
Tuesdays & Thursdays 10 am to 7 pm
582 Market St., Ste. 1604, San Francisco, CA
This office is located in the Historic Hobart Building on the corner of Montgomery Street.
Fridays, 1 to 7 pm
1330 Lincoln Avenue, Ste. 102, San Rafael, CA
This office is about 2 blocks north of Mission Avenue from the Central San Rafael Exit of Hwy 101
5. How long does therapy take?
It is my intention to provide services which will expeditiously assist you in reaching your goals. Based upon the information that you provide, your willingness to integrate suggestions and the specifics of your situation, I will provide recommendations to you regarding your treatment.
Therapists and clients are partners in the therapeutic process. You have the right to agree or disagree with your therapist’s recommendations. Your therapist will also periodically provide feedback to you regarding your progress and will invite your participation in the discussion.
Due to the varying nature and severity of problems and the individuality of each client, a therapist is unable to predict the length of your therapy or to guarantee a specific outcome or result.
6. What if my question wasn't answered?
Feel free to email or call me. In the event you do not reach me directly, you can leave a confidential message that I will return at my earliest opportunity.
RESOURCES
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Behavior Tech, LLCLinks to publications, materials and information about Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) .Online and telephone counseling for bankruptcy, budgeting, debt management & housing resources
assistance to veterans
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Domestic Violence
Resources and help planning for safety
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Eating Addictions Anonymous
12 step recovery program for eating & body image addiction
EMDR in the News
A brief description and example of EMDR on YouTube
EMDR Institute
Published case reports and controlled research which supports EMDR as an empirically validated treatment of trauma
EMDR International Association
Sets standards for training, offers ongoing education, a discussion forum to further the development of EMDR, and encourages quality research
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Gamblers Anonymous
12 step recovery program for compulsive gambling
Gam-Anon International Service Office
12 step program of support for the spouse, family or close friends of compulsive gamblers
GLBT National Help Center
Free and confidential internet and telephone peer counseling
Group Therapy
An online directory to locate a specific, nearby therapy group
Heart Math
EMWave heart rate variance monitors, stress management through biofeedback
Humanitarian Assistance Program (HAP)
Provides pro-bono or low cost EMDR training to local professionals as well as direct service to traumatized communities
Full Circle facilitates and encourages a system wide change to support recovery from addiction
Koved Care
Care manager services
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Marin Services for Men
12 step model clean and sober living for men
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Mental Health GuideInformation clearinghouse from the University of Maryland School of Medicine
Intuitive eating information & resources
A free behavioral change program and national support group of people concerned about their drinking
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NIMH
Information, support groups & resources
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A 12-step fellowship of men and women recovering from pornography addiction
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Manage stress & anxiety naturally, also assist falling asleep
SAMHSA
National clearinghouse for alcohol & other drug abuse information
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San Francisco
AIDS Foundation
Services & programs to improve the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS and reduce the number of new infections that occur each year .
Assists frail, low income & ethnically diverse seniors, their families & caregivers
Articles about SP
A 12-step organization helping men and women recover through experience, strength and hope
A 12-step organization helping men and women recover from sexual addiction
Sleep Hygiene
Suggestions to improve sleep quality & quantity from University of Maryland Medical Center Website
UCSF website with resources and an online quit program
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SOS
Support strategies for achieving and maintaining sobriety - alternative to 12-step programs
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Suicide Information & resources from Metanoia's site
Alleviate pain, prevent permanent damage to teeth and change teeth clenching behaviors
A resource for therapy referrals hosted by CAMFT
Trauma. Information & resources from David Baldwin's award-winning site
Promotes volunteerism in Marin County to develop a healthy & engaged community
A wide range of opportunities throughout San Francisco and surrounding counties
