How long does therapy take?
The duration of therapy varies from person to person and is always up to you. Some people prefer short-term therapy and for others, a longer term approach is more effective. Sessions are 50 minutes and we usually meet weekly, however, we may decide to increase the frequency if the situation requires it. Longer sessions are available and will be pro-rated at the hourly rate.
What is your experience?
I am a licensed psychotherapist (MFC# 48451) and a certified sex therapist with a private practice in West Hollywood and Silver Lake. I have extensive experience working with a variety of populations in community mental health, crisis and high risk settings. I am a graduate of the University of California at
Los Angeles (UCLA) Semel Institute training in Couples Therapy and Sex Therapy and have extensive training with various prominent experts in the field of sex therapy. My approach is one of active collaboration. I integrate cognitive behavioral, relational and psychodynamic models along with teaching mindfulness skills and interpersonal tools. I am a member of the American Association of Suicidology and of AASECT; the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists; the pre-eminent governing and credentialing body for this field.
What are your fees and do you take insurance?
Please contact me to discuss rates. I do not accept HMO directly for payment, however, if you have a PPO plan, your company may reimburse a percentage of what you have already paid. Please contact your health care provider to see if they reimburse for services rendered by an “out-of-network Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.” I can provide you with a monthly statement that you can then submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. It is important to know that most insurance carriers require a mental health disorder to qualify for coverage and reimbursement.
Please check your coverage carefully by asking the following questions:
- What are my mental health benefits?
- Do I need to meet a deductible?
- What is the coverage amount/percentage per therapy session?
- How many therapy sessions does my plan cover per calendar year?
- How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
Your insurance company representative may want to know the CPT code. The CPT codes are 90834 for a 50-minute individual psychotherapy session, and 90837 for a 75-minute individual psychotherapy session. The CPT code for conjoint (couples)/family psychotherapy is 90847.