Frequently Asked Questions About Trauma Counseling ONLINE

Each session is a 50-minute appointment.

The very first appointment will be an assessment of your needs. So, there is going to be lots of questions about your background, history, current issues, and symptoms. Your therapist will be able to then tell you more about what to expect moving forward and your treatment plan.

Some level of stress is normal. However, if you start noticing whatever you are dealing with is making it difficult for you to keep up with your life, for example, your job, basic needs like eating and sleeping, or even your ability to find joy and pleasure in life, you may find therapy helpful to get back on track.

Our therapists work with individuals who come weekly. It is most beneficial and makes most progress when people come to counseling on a weekly basis. Therapy with me is active, engaging, and focused. If you do not think you need to come every week, let’s think about what you really need to get out from therapy.

It really depends on what issue you are looking to address. Our therapists will likely be able to tell you during the consultation call what they can estimate. Typically, if you are addressing one or two issues that are pretty straightforward, you may only need to come about 5-12 weeks. Multi-layered issues and complex concerns can take longer, possibly 6 months to a year, or even more. What we can tell you is that you will begin to feel some relief during the process even if you do not complete EMDR therapy in its entirety. After a month or two of initiating EMDR Therapy, you begin to realize the different aspects of your experiences that were overlooked or had forgotten. That's where the healing begins.

The current rate is $230 per session.

We are in network with Cigna, Oscar, Optum/United Healthcare, UMR and Aetna. If you are using in-network benefits, you will likely have either a copay ($5-$50) or coinsurance (% after reaching your annual deductible) per visit. The coinsurance is based on the contracted rate that we have in agreement with your insurance company.

We are currently in network with Cigna, Oscar, Optum/United Healthcare, UMR, and Aetna.

We are considered an out of network (OON) provider for other private insurance. Mostly like at least some portion of the cost will be covered based on your OON coverage if you have a PPO plan AND if you have a diagnosis (qualifying for a medical necessity). The reimbursement amount can range from 50-90%. You must pay the cost up front for each session and will be given a superbill with all the details needed to submit for partial reimbursement determined by your insurance carrier. HMO plans do not have an ONN coverage. You can still use FSA or HSA card for counseling services. I can check your benefits if you have CA Anthem Blue Cross.

For in-network benefits, we will be submitting claims directly and receive reimbursement. You will not be receiving reimbursement from your insurance company.

If you are using your out of network benefits, please contact your insurance company on the back of your insurance card. It is helpful to ask them the following questions: 1) Do I have an out-of-network coverage for behavioral or mental health? 2) What is my deductible and the percentage of co-insurance? 3) How much do I have left to meet my annual deductible? 4) Where do I submit superbills for reimbursement?

If they ask about CPT codes, let them know 90791 for the initial appointment, and 90837 for follow-up appointments.

We can provide a superbill on a monthly basis or earlier by request. A superbill has all the details, including diagnoses, your insurance information, provider’s information, dates of services, and types of services. We can check your benefits for you if you have CA Anthem Blue Cross or Aetna.

Please let us know 48 hours in advance if you need to cancel or reschedule. Otherwise, no-shows and late cancellations will incur a charge of the full rate. This charge is also not covered by your insurance at all. Each appointment is reserved for you and blocks an opportunity for someone else to seek their care. If you reschedule within the same week, you will be charged for only one session. However, we cannot guarantee a spot for you.

We do not have speciality or expertise in ADHD. However, some of my clients have ADHD in addition to trauma. Sometimes, trauma stems from the relational aspects with others (i.e., what it is like to live with ADHD, how you are being treated and seen by your family and friends). In that case, we can help. We need to evaluate during the first appointment whether the way we deliver EMDR therapy will work for you. Some other individuals have found it too distracting to focus on visual bilateral stimulation. We can try tactile or somatic bilateral stimulation like tapping on your chest, upper arms, or thighs. Oftentimes, we go back to regular psychotherapy because this relational approach can continue to help.

Wonderful! You’ve learned helpful coping skills and are at a relatively stable point in your life. You have support around you and are ready to tackle the trauma.

Yes, you can still see us for EMDR Therapy (adjunct) only as long as we focus on separate topics that you do not address with your individual therapist. EMDR sessions are considered psychotherapy. Make sure to check with your insurance company whether they cover more than one session per week.

Yes, we have therapists who are available during evening hours and on Saturday. Book a consultation for updated availability!

We mainly work with adults individually and older teens with a few openings.

It is online! It is so important that you find a place where you feel comfortable for our session. It needs to be private and safe. In addition, you must be physically located in California.

Therapy is a process. So, please let me know if you are not seeing the progress you are looking for. Having an open and honest discussion will strengthen the challenges. At the end of the day, our goal is to help you. We can connect you with appropriate resources, too.