cost + info
01. how long and often are sessions?
Individual therapy sessions are 45 minutes. Couples sessions are 55 minutes, 90 minutes, or 3 hours. All sessions are scheduled weekly.
02. what is the cost of sessions?
Licensed psychologists in our practice offer individual therapy sessions for $250 (45 minutes) or couples or family therapy sessions for $280 (55 minutes).
Postdoctoral fellows in our practice offer individual therapy sessions for $220 (45 minutes) or couples or family therapy sessions for $250 (55 minutes).
Costs for group therapy sessions vary, but current groups are $80 per session.
03. what is the cost of testing?
Testing is billed at $280 per hour, which includes the clinical interview, testing hours, data collection, report writing, and feedback session.
04. do you accept insurance?
We are not in-network with any insurance companies, so we do not bill directly. With PPO insurances plans, we are considered out-of-network providers and you may be reimbursed in full or in part. We can provide you with a monthly superbill to give to your insurer. Do you want to learn more about why we are out-of-network providers? Additionally, you also have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate.
05. what type of payment do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards, cash, or check. Most pay with a credit card during their first session and we charge that card after each session. Psychotherapy and assessment may also qualify for reimbursement using a Health Savings Account or Flexible Savings Account – and because it is pre-taxed income, this option greatly reduces the overall cost of therapy.
06. do you offer sliding scale fees?
We maintain a limited amount of sliding scale spots in our schedules. If you do not think you would be able to afford our full fee, do not hesitate to call us, because if we are unable to see you we happily offer referrals to other trusted therapists in the area.
07. where do I park?
For our Carlsbad office, free parking is available in front of the building on State Street and in the parking lot on the back of the building on Roosevelt Steet. For our Encinitas & Vista offices, there is plenty of free parking surrounding the buildings.
08. what do I do when I get to the office?
Push the button or flip the light switch next to your therapists nameplate and make yourself comfortable in our waiting room. Your therapist will greet you at your appointment time.
Still have questions?
Let's shed some light.
Why do you not accept insurance?
Therapy requires a safe place to grow and change. Involving insurance companies decreases confidentiality. Every year thousands of HIPAA violations occur as medical providers and insurance companies communicate. Its one thing for a breach of confidentiality to accidentally disclose that you have a broken arm and another thing to have a psychological diagnosis and treatment information released. Therapy requires safety and vulnerability, and the highest measures of confidentiality increase that safety.
Additionally, insurances companies require a psychological diagnosis to be entered into your medical record. This may negatively impact someone later in life if they want to join the military, become a pilot, or apply for life insurance.
Lastly, involving insurances also means that an outside company may try to direct the therapy. It is common practice for insurance companies to place limits on how many sessions a person can be seen and the type of therapy provided. Most of our patients with a PPO plan get some reimbursement for our services and given how high many deductibles are these days, choosing a therapist seems to be a question of deciding who you want to see.
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate”
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.