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FAQ

Most people have questions about what to expect in therapy……

Here are a few that we can answer for you. I am sure you have more and we would love to answer those by providing a FREE phone consultation. Call us at (916) 426-2757 to schedule a time.

Does therapy really help?

Most people can benefit from counseling services at some point in their lives. Seeking professional support is a sign of good coping skills and intelligence, not a sign of weakness. Counseling gives you the benefit of an outside perspective that is quite different from you talking with your friends and family.

The feeling of being stuck is usually what brings most people to counseling. Sometimes people feel stuck in a dissatisfying career, relationship, mood, thought pattern, or destructive patterns of behavior. People may approach their “stuckness” or problems in the same ways, each time hoping for different results. What is necessary is a change in strategy. A new approach. A therapist is able to offer an objective and caring perspective, utilizing your strengths, to help you move forward. Clarifying your strengths and values, identifying possibilities for your future and unblocking emotions will usually bring relief, clarity, awareness and a renewed energy to face life’s challenges.

Who do you work with?
Our clients are intelligent, successful people who are struggling in an area of their life (relationship issues, life changes, depression, anxiety, parenting issues) and really want to find lasting change. They are willing and motivated to do the work, looking for insight and tools, and practicing new thoughts and behaviors.
Do you have therapists near me in person?
If you live in the Sacramento area, yes we do. We can usually get you in to see a therapist within a week or two. If you are in the state of CA we can see you with online counseling.
When do you meet with clients?
We have day, evening, Saturday and Sunday appointments available. Our goal is to find a time that is a good fit for you (and your partner or family members, if it applies) and schedule that as your regular time. Sometimes it means taking the next appointment and working with our calendars to find a spot that fits each week for you.
How often do you go to therapy?
Usually, to start, We see people weekly. Most people are hurting a lot when they finally come to therapy so weekly usually works. As people begin to feel better, we reevaluate and move to every 2 weeks or to what suits you as you begin to feel relief and reach your goals. We can schedule “intensives” where we do 2-3 hour blocks (with a short break in between) if that better suits your schedule.
What can I expect in a therapy session?
The first session we will get to know each other, what the problem is and what a treatment plan might be. We want to be clear with you on how long we think it will take to get you to your goals and a general idea of what we will be doing to reach those goals. We like to help you by giving you an idea of where we are going with treatment and to also give you tools that you can take with you when therapy is over.
Do I have to rehash my past and blame my parents?
The past affects us. In how we think, how we relate, and what we believe. It is important for us to get an idea of your history so that we know how that affects you in the present, but we also don’t believe in staying there too long. We are not interested in blaming your parents, your children or your spouse. We are sure you want to focus on what you can change, and that is you and your beliefs and actions. We will together work on ways to improve your present situation and improve your present and future life.
How long does it take for therapy to work?
Therapy appointments last either 50 minutes, 75 minutes or 100 minutes (longer sessions if desired). Each person and situation is different. We see most clients usually from 8-20 sessions, but how long we meet is always up to you. How long usually depends on the goals you would like to achieve, your commitment to the change, and how much change you would like to do. Research shows that most clients need about 13 sessions to improve and for couples it’s about 20 – 25 sessions.
How effective is therapy?
We tailor our work to meet your specific needs. We are trained in many different ways of helping people. After you and your therapist clearly identify what the problem is and what you would like to see change in your life, we will discuss options for change. Research has shown that having a good fit between the therapist and client is more important than the specific tools that are used. So we will work to develop trust in the relationship and make sure that you feel comfortable with whatever tool is being used. The National Institute for Mental Health stated that over half of all patients who received therapy for anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions experienced significant improvement in their symptoms.
What is the best way to find a therapist that’s a good fit?
Going to counseling the first time can be scary. You may not know what to expect, You may think that you just need to handle this problem by yourself. We will do our best to walk you through the process and answer any questions that you have. Your first session is really an evaluation session that allows us to get to know one another. You are under no obligation to continue with counseling if it doesn’t feel like a good fit for you. You can also get a free 15 minute consultation to see if you would like to work with your therapist.
What insurance do you take?
We do not currently take insurance as we find that it limits the ability to provide the treatment we deem necessary in some cases and forces us to create a diagnosis. Most insurance plans will reimburse out of network providers and we can provide a bill at the end of each month to submit to them. In fact, ‍If you have a PPO plan, you may be eligible to get 60-80% of each session reimbursed after you meet your deductible.
What if you don’t know if your insurance plan has out-of-network coverage?
At the current time, we are not in network with any insurance companies and do not bill your insurance company on your behalf. However, many people do have out of network coverage for these services. If you would like, we can provide you with a bill to provide to your insurance company. To find out more about whether your health insurance or employee benefit plan may cover some or all of your costs, please contact your insurance company with the following questions:

·Do I have mental health insurance benefits?

·Do I have coverage for an out of network provider?

·What is my deductible and has it been met?

·How many sessions per year does my health insurance cover?

·What is the coverage amount per therapy session?

·Is approval required from my primary care physician?

After obtaining the answers to these questions, you will want to consider how far you are from reaching your deductible (if you are far from reaching it, you will likely be paying the full cost of your sessions regardless of whether you go with an in or out of network provider), how much of the session will be covered after you meet the deductible, and the availability of providers within your network. Finally, you may want to consider whether you would benefit most from specialty care. Many specialists (including us) are not in network with insurance providers but sometimes you can progress faster working with someone specializing in the issues guiding you to seek treatment. For further information please contact us directly.

GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE- Required Notice

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. 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 (not a part of psychotherapy).

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

What are your rates?

All of our therapists are well trained. Some of our therapists have specialty training or are licensed vs master level clinicians on their way to licensure. Rates are $170 or $210+ per 50-minute session based on the therapist. Longer sessions can be scheduled with a prorated rate.

What type of payment do you accept?
Cash, checks, credit cards, Flexible Spending/Health Savings Accounts.
How do I make an appointment?

You can call or text us at (916) 426-2757. If we are not immediately available, please leave a message with some days and times that might work for you and we will call you back within 24 hours to schedule an appointment. You can also click on the request appointment link below and schedule at the location and with the therapist of your choice.

Request Appointment

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(916) 426-2757
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