Here are some of the commonly asked questions some of which may arise for you.
What are your fees?
My fee is $200 for a 50 minute session. Extended sessions of 75 minutes sometimes used for EMDR processing are $215.
I am in network with Lyra Healthcare and accept Lyra benefits.
I am an out-of-network provider for all other insurance plans. I do not currently accept insurance benefits directly.
I provide forms (called Superbills) upon request to help you get reimbursed from your PPO insurance for our sessions. A Health Savings Account can also be used to pay for your sessions.
In order to get reimbursed from your insurance, please contact your provider and find out whether you have out-of-network benefits and if there is a deductible. Check with your Health Savings Plan if you can use funds for sessions. Thrizer app can be helpful as well in utilizing your insurance to pay for therapy, if you do not have a deductible for out-of-network services.
Please know that your insurance benefits determine reimbursement rates so it is important to check with them first.
Do you see clients in-person?
I see clients in person in Oakland on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and in San Francisco on Thursdays.
I also offer virtual sessions through a secure video conferencing platform. I am able to offer video conferencing sessions to clients only in California due to my licensure.
How long will therapy take?
The length of time therapy will take depends on your goals, what you want to gain from our work together and your history. If we come up with a small and clearly defined goal, the length of our work together will be shorter that if there are many goals and they are broadly defined.
If our mutual fit is good, you can expect to feel improvement of your presenting concern within the first three to four sessions.
Do you offer therapy in other languages?
I am a native speaker of Russian and can provide psychotherapy in Russian.
What is your cancellation policy?
The appointment we schedule is a time I reserve for you. I ask that you give a 48-hour notice in the event you need to cancel our session. If you cancel within less than 48 hours and are not able to reschedule, a fee of $200 will apply. If you are a Lyra client I will charge your Lyra account for a no-show session. Once Lyra covered no-show or late cancellation sessions have been used up I have to charge your card for no-show or late cancellation.
If there are three no-show (not late cancellations) appointments with no follow up I will assume you are no longer interested in continuing therapy and will close your case.
I understand that emergencies occur and the first late cancellation or a no-show is typically not charged for. However, after the first one my cancellation policy applies.