How do out of network benefits work?
PPO plans often include coverage for providers who are not contracted under the insurance plan. You can call your insurance plan (the “for members” number on your insurance card) and ask these questions:
Do I have out of network benefits?
What is my out of network deductible?
How close am I to meeting my out of network deductible.
What is the reimbursement rate for out of network behavioral health? If they ask for codes, the initial session is 90791 and subsequent sessions are 90837.
You can also find this information on your member website.
Please note: I encourage all clients to prepare to pay in full for their treatment. Insurance reimbursement is highly variable and not guaranteed.
I’m interested in doing an EMDR intensive. Can I keep seeing my existing therapist and still schedule an intensive?
Yes! Many of my EMDR intensive clients have an established therapist. In these cases, I will request a release of information so I can speak with your therapist and we can coordinate care to make sure you are supported through the process, and your therapist is looped into the work you’re doing with me. I generally do not offer standard 50 minute EMDR sessions to clients who are continuing work with an existing therapist.
Can I use Out of Network benefits for an EMDR intensive?
Insurance does not typically recognize the intensive model of treatment. Some insurances may reimburse a percentage of the first hour of an intensive or apply this amount to your out of network deductible.
Do you offer weekend or evening appointments?
I see clients Monday-Thursday during normal business hours. Exceptions may be considered for EMDR intensives. These are currently offered on Fridays or Fridays/Saturdays for two-day long intensives.
Can I be a regular weekly/biweekly client and also do intensives?
Yes! Depending on availability, we can do both regular 50 minute sessions and incorporate intensive sessions as needed.
How many intensive EMDR sessions will I need?
This varies quite a lot person to person and unfortunately I can’t ethically give a blanket recommendation. Some people may see enough reduction in symptoms after one intensive session to decide they don’t need more. This is most common with a single “shock trauma,” e.g. a traumatic car crash, traumatic childbirth, etc. The vast majority of people presenting with issues that are more deeply interwoven into their histories and experiences (e.g. attachment trauma, childhood trauma, persistent anxiety, people-pleasing tendencies, recovering from abusive relationships) will benefit from multiple intensive sessions. We can be flexible with frequency depending on your desired frequency, life demands, finances, and other considerations.
Do you offer online appointments?
Yes. have an office in Reno, Nevada where I provide in-person therapy. I also see my Nevada and Texas clients online via a HIPAA secure platform. Online therapy allows for the same deep work we do in-person and removes some of the barriers that can come with in-office therapy. Many of my clients who live locally do in-person sessions when they can and telehealth appointments when they’re not able to make it into the office.
Do you treat couples and families?
My focus is on individual work, though sometimes clients have a partner join for a partner support session.
Do you treat other providers?
Yes! I treat a lot of other therapists and medical providers and really enjoy supporting care providers.
How do I know if I need therapy?
Typically I say the right time to start therapy is when you’re wondering whether you should start therapy. You don’t have to wait until things are worse or have a concretely defined problem you’re bringing in. Therapy isn’t just for when you’ve hit rock bottom. It’s for when you think you want to understand yourself better, improve some of your patterns, or just have an unbiased person to talk to.