FAQ

Insurance reimbursement rates vary widely based on the specific plan. Call your insurance company and ask the following questions: Do I have out-of-network benefits for mental health (CPT code for individual therapy: 90834; CPT code for group therapy: 90853)? Do I have a deductible? If so, what is it, and how much of it have I met? What is my coinsurance/what percentage of my bill will be covered after I complete my deductible? What is the process for seeking reimbursement? How do I submit a superbill?

Are there any limitations on how many services insurance will cover in a year? How long will it take to receive my reimbursement? Do I need a referral from my primary care physician or authorization before starting mental health treatment with an out-of-network provider?

You are responsible for paying the cost of the session immediately after the session is delivered and will receive a monthly superbill that you can submit to your insurance for reimbursement.

Effective January 1, 2022, Congress passed the No Surprises Act. The design of this bill is to protect patients from “surprise” medical bills and balance billing for emergency services at out-of-network facilities or for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, holding them liable only for in-network cost-sharing amounts. As a result, all licensed health providers offering out-of-network services must post a notice of “your rights and protections against surprise medical bills” on our websites or physical offices.

You can receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, healthcare providers must give patients who don’t have insurance or 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 non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can also ask your healthcare provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. You can dispute the bill if you receive at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit cms.gov/nosurprises.

You can contact me to schedule a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to determine if my services might be a good fit for you.

Together, we can work toward creating a brighter future. Don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule your first session today.

When you schedule your first appointment with me, you will receive an email with a link to a client portal that is part of your secure electronic medical record. Once in the portal, you must complete an intake packet to provide additional helpful information to facilitate therapy. During your intake session with me, you can share your hopes for therapy and ask any questions. I will assess your history and current mental health concerns.

I will present recommendations and a preliminary treatment plan at the end of the intake session. After the intake session, you can decide to pursue therapy with me.

You may repeat brief measures and other behavioral tracking forms throughout treatment to assess your progress objectively. We can periodically re-evaluate and revise treatment plans as needed.

I understand that sometimes life can throw you curveballs when you least expect it. During these moments, you may feel like you need immediate support. Phone coaching in DBT involves contacting your therapist outside of weekly sessions for brief calls to help you get through challenging moments. These coaching calls are short and solution driven.

Whether you’re struggling with a complex emotion or facing a challenging situation, phone coaching allows us to work together in real-time to develop solutions that work for you. I am available for phone coaching, which we can discuss and plan for in advance to ensure you have the support you need when needed.

Although Safe and Well DBT started and is California-based, I am also fully licensed in Costa Rica. I see patients electronically and conduct annual mental health retreats for couples and organizations. I am in the process of obtaining licensure in New York and Florida.

You must reside in California or Costa Rica (adjacent Latin countries qualify for services) if you would like to receive treatment with Safe and Well DBT. I can provide coaching without any geographical limitations.

You’ll become a student instead of a patient or client in a skills session. You’ll receive an electronic DBT skills workbook and additional handouts when needed. During these sessions, you’ll learn about being present, having successful relationships, dealing with stress, and controlling your emotions instead of letting them control you. We’ll go through each of these topics in sections.