• I use the platform Zoom to meet with you for telehealth sessions, which is an encrypted and confidential service. It will be your responsibility to also meet in a private and secure space for our sessions.

• Recording of sessions is not allowed.

• Telehealth sessions must be attended within the state of California due to my licensing regulations. Should you be temporarily out of state, please let me know prior and we will discuss alternative options.

• For couples, please consider being in the same location for telehealth sessions. If this is not possible, I will assess on a case by case basis.

• Telehealth as shown to be an effective and convenient option for mental health sessions. I do my best to ensure that you receive the same care, time, and resources as my in-person sessions.

• For those considering EMDR over telehealth, I have specific tools/resources for this to be effective.

• Individual sessions (in-network insurance) - insurance covers 53-minute individual mental health sessions.

• Individual sessions (private-pay) - 55-minutes.

• Couples sessions (in-network insurance) - insurance covers 45-minutes couples sessions.

• Couples sessions (private-pay) - 55-minutes.

• Coaching - 50-minutes.

  Most folks begin either therapy or coaching with weekly or bi-weekly sessions. Over time it is common to opt for a monthly or “as needed” option. At this time you will no longer have a scheduled “spot” on my calendar, but can coordinate scheduling with me as we continue.

As outlined in the informed consent that you sign prior to our first session, my late cancellation policy is 48 hours. The fee is equivalent to your session fee if paying privately. If using in-network insurance, your insurance will not cover late cancellations and you will be responsible for a $100 late cancellation charge.

This policy is here to protect the importance of and respect both of our time and schedules. If you should ever have questions or concerns, please reach out.

I am currently an in-network provider with Aetna and Cigna.

How it works:

• As part of the intake paperwork, you will fill out an “insurance eligibility” form. Via the billing/record platform that I use, Alma, your insurance will be verified prior to your first session and on an ongoing basis. Alma will give you a responsibility estimate - your co-pay or co-insurance rate.

• I recommend that you always verify your insurance with your insurance company itself. If for any reason insurance claims are denied, you are responsible for the private pay rate of the session.

• I will submit an in-network insurance claim on your behalf at the end of each session. You will receive the invoice for the copay of the claim for your records.

• Please note that in order to submit insurance claims, I will be providing insurance with a diagnosis code and a CPT code to note the type of session (individual, couples, etc.). For couples, sessions will be claimed under one individual’s insurance plan and they will be the “identified patient”.

Please note that insurance does not cover the $100 late cancellation fee. It is a practice policy to keep a card on file to ensure a smooth and timely billing/claim process.

My private pay rates can be found under the Services & Rates page.

How it works:

• Rates are typically discussed at the beginning of the therapeutic process. You can expect to be billed at the end of each session via your card on file.

• If you have an insurance plan that provides out-of-network benefits, I am more than happy to provide you will a superbill. A superbill can be submitted to your insurance company for potential reimbursement of mental health sessions. I would recommend contacting your insurance company for more information on your available reimbursement policy.

It is a practice policy to keep a card on file to ensure a smooth and timely billing/claim process.

Sliding scale available upon request.

No Surprises Act

The No Surprises Act (H.R. 133) took effect on January 1, 2022, introducing new protections to prevent patients from receiving unexpected medical bills. This law applies to healthcare providers, facilities, health plans, and insurers, making significant updates to the Public Health Service Act.

Part I of the regulations shields patients with health insurance from surprise bills in specific cases, such as emergency care or non-emergency services at in-network facilities when treated by out-of-network providers.

Part II, published in October 2021, requires all state-licensed, certified, or approved healthcare providers and facilities to give uninsured and self-pay patients a good faith estimate of expected service costs.

Good Faith Estimate:

You will receive a written Good Faith Estimate (GFE) outlining the expected services (type of therapy, estimated frequency) and costs over a 12-month period.

Because therapy is a personal and evolving process, it’s difficult to predict exactly how your journey will unfold. Many factors influence the course of therapy, and every individual’s needs are different. Below is some key information to help you anticipate and plan for the cost of your sessions.

Billing & Fees
All services at Root to Rise Counseling Collective are billable, except for scheduling communications and the free 15-minute initial consultation (if requested).

To estimate your therapy costs, multiply the billable session rate by the number of sessions you expect to attend, plus the intake session. While the industry standard is weekly therapy, some clients may need more frequent sessions, while others may transition to biweekly or less frequent appointments.

Additional services may be necessary at times, such as during periods of high stress, emergencies, complex scheduling, or when collaboration with other professionals or family members is required.

Court-Related Policies
I do not appear in court. If subpoenaed, fees for court-related preparation and appearances are higher than our standard rates.

A detailed rate estimate will be included in your intake paperwork.

Your Right to Dispute Charges
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute it.

For more information about your rights and the Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.