Therapy for Teens and Adults FAQ’s
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Do you offer telehealth or in-person therapy?
I provide both in-person and virtual therapy options. Some clients stick to just one option, while others utilize both depending on the week. If you choose in-person therapy, we will meet at my office in Sierra Madre, CA which is a small town just east of Pasadena and north of Arcadia. I can provide teletherapy to anyone across California (PSY33433).
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How frequent are sessions?
I recommend starting with weekly therapy sessions. For some, bi-weekly sessions may be appropriate depending on presenting concerns. Meeting consistently, especially at the onset of therapy is important in order to make progress and build momentum.
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How long does therapy last?
There is no one size fits all for this question. Many clients that I see participate in long term therapy that can last several years depending on the therapy goals. Other individuals come to therapy for a specific difficulty and stay for as few as 10 sessions. We can discuss what feels right for you during our initial session.
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How do I know you are the right therapist for me?
The first step is to take a look around my website and see if my therapy specialties and approach to therapy connect for you. Secondly, a phone consultation is a great way to connect with me and gauge if it feels like a good fit. The therapeutic dynamic is very important for successful therapy.
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How much does therapy cost?
The fee for a standard 45-50 minute therapy session is $225. In certain circumstances, you may qualify for a lower fee. I accept payment through credit card, cash, zelle, check, HSA, or FSA card. Most clients elect to put a card on file that I run after each session.
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Can I use my Out of Network Insurance Benefits?
I am an out of network provider for most insurance plans. I can provide you with a superbill which can be submitted to your insurance for reimbursement. You can submit your superbill directly to your insurance or your can use Mentaya (see below).
Mentaya
I have partnered with Mentaya to help clients use their out-of-network benefits to save money on therapy. Use this tool to see if you qualify for reimbursement for my services.
Here's how it works:
1. Sign up for Mentaya: https://mentaya.co/inviteclient/julie-whipple
2. I will enter your sessions into the platform.
3. Mentaya submits the claim and handles any insurance follow-up.
4. You get reimbursed by insurance!
Mentaya charges a 5% fee per claim, which includes handling any paperwork required, dealing with denials, and calling insurance companies.
Good Faith Estimate Notice
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health 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 expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.
You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a 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.