Frequently Asked Questions

These are just a brief list of commonly asked questions. Don’t see your question listed? Feel free to contact us!

I’m new to therapy. What does starting therapy look like?

Therapy starts where you’re at. In your first appointment, your therapist will ask some questions to get to know you and see how to best help you. Goals are created collaboratively and your therapist may check in periodically to see how progress is going. Ultimately, therapy is your time and it’s important that you are able to benefit from it.

Don’t know what kind of goal you have in therapy? There’s a variety of uses for therapy - whether having witness to your experiences to learning tools to manage a significant event or daily life better.

Are sessions confidential?

Yes! Sessions are confidential, meaning your therapist won’t share anything from appointments with others without your permission.

Since your therapist is a mandated reporter, exceptions to confidentiality are:

• court order

• safety-related: suspicion of harm to self or others, elder abuse, dependent adult abuse, or child abuse

Do you provide in-person sessions?

All sessions are online using a secure HIPAA compliant platform. All you need is a phone, tablet, or computer; a confidential space; and stable internet access. There is currently no proposed date on when in-person sessions may resume.

Do you accept insurance?

We are an in-network provider for Health Plan of San Mateo and Lyra Health. Otherwise, we are are considered an “out of network” provider and can provide a monthly superbill* for services. Many insurance plans provide coverage for out-of-network mental health services. Please contact your insurance company to see what deductible or percentage of reimbursement is allowed.

Questions to ask your insurance:
a. Do I have out-of-network benefits for my policy?
b. Do I have a mental or behavioral health policy that covers out-of-network benefits?
c. How do I use my out-of-network benefits?
d. Do I need a prior authorization before I begin seeing my provider?
e. Do I have an out-of-network deductible? If so, what is it and how do I meet the deductible?

*What’s a superbill? What do I do with it?
A superbill is an invoice your therapist provides you when they are not in network with your insurance panel. This invoice has information such as dates of sessions, a diagnosis code, and other personal information such as your date of birth and address.

Once you have a superbill and have clarified your insurance coverage, you can submit this to your insurance for reimbursement. The timeframe and percentage of reimbursement depends upon your policy and coverage.

How much will it cost to receive services?

The cost of services depends on a number of factors including your provider’s fee, frequency of services, and duration of treatment. You can receive an estimate of service costs as described below.

As of January 1, 2022, 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.

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.

• 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.