how much is the investment and do you take insurance?
Session prices and insurance contracts are different for each therapist. Sessions are 55 minutes long.
Extended time can be requested for an additional prorated charge for cash pay only.
Heather Fernandez LMFT is $140/session, currently takes Aetna, United Healthcare, Oxford, and Oscar Health.
Lauren Reed LCSW is $120/session, currently takes Aetna, United Healthcare, Oxford, and Oscar Health.
Melissa Vermilyea LCSW is $120/session. Currently takes Aetna and Cigna.
Laurel Rettle PhD. LPC, LISAC is $140/session, Currently takes Aetna, Cigna, UHC, Oscar Health, Oxford, and BCBS of AZ.
Cassi Ince LCSW is $130/session. Currently takes Aetna, Cigna, and BCBS of AZ
For therapists who take insurance, eligibility benefits must be verified prior to your first session. In order to use insurance benefits, your services must be deemed medically necessary, and you will be assigned a medical diagnosis which will be part of your health record. Your insurance provider may audit your file at any time, and in the event that you no longer meet their criteria, your insurance will no longer pay and you will be responsible for all completed sessions not covered by insurance at your therapist's cash pay rate.
For family or couple's therapy, insurance will only pay for services if one person meets the criteria for a diagnosis, and focus of treatment is centered around the individual with the diagnosis. Insurance will not pay for improving communication, problems in relationship, distress, ect.
It is suggested that you contact your insurance provider and verify benefits.
what if you don't take my insurance?
In the event that your therapist does not take your insurance, they will be considered an out-of network provider. You may request a Super Bill to submit directly to your insurance company for out-of-network reimbursement. Please check to see if you have any out-of-network benefits for individual/marital counseling. If you do have this type of coverage, your counseling may be covered in part by your health insurance or employee benefit plan. Please check your coverage carefully by asking the following questions:
Do I have mental health benefits?
What is my deductible and has it been met?
How many sessions per calendar year does my plan cover?
How much does my plan cover for an out-of-network provider?
What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
Is approval required from my primary care physician?
what is a good faith estimate?
For clients who are cash pay, you have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your therapy care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give clients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of services prior to the start of treatment. Therapy is individualized so this will be discussed with you and your assigned therapist to determine the estimated length of treatment. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises
What type of payment is accepted?
Cash, Checks, and all Major Credit Cards, Flexible Spending and Health Spending Accounts are accepted methods of payment. Payment is due at time of service.
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. It has been proven to help relieve symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, addictions, phobias, and other emotional struggles. People report making more progress in less time than traditional talk therapy. Therapists work with clients to recall unpleasant memories, then use bilateral stimulation to help the client reprocess the event resulting in new, more adaptive outlook and narrative regarding the event and/or the client's belief's about themselves.
what is needed from parents of minor clients?
If parents are divorced we need court documents showing who has custody and/or decision making rights. This is required prior to our first session. If there is split custody and decision making rights then both parents need to sign off on all forms.
Do you write letters or fill out paperwork?
We do not write letters or fill out paperwork for emotional support animals, FMLA, hormone replacement therapy, short term or long term disability, or ADA paperwork. Fees associated with letters and court related things are listed in the initial paperwork (informed Consent). Much of this documentation and paperwork is outside our scope of expertise and should come from a medical doctor, therefor we do not write these letters as part of our practice.
Do you provide consultation before making an appointment?
We would be more then happy to provide a free 15 minute phone consultation so we can get an idea of what you're looking for, and you can ask the therapist any questions you might have and get a general feel of the therapist's personality and style.
I've never gone to therapy, what can i expect my first session?
During your first session, your therapist will begin the process of getting to know where you're stuck and where you'd like to see some change in your life. Most importantly, we want you to feel safe and comfortable! We realize that going to therapy can be scary or intimidating. If you think or feel that way, you're not alone. Clients often will comment how they are nervous to start, but they often report leaving feeling more comfortable.