Common questions.

A first session is a conversation, not a test. With a young child I meet the parents first. With a teen, we plan the first session together with the teen. Everyone who comes says what they hope for, and we agree who comes next. It lasts 50 minutes, or 75 when the whole family comes.

A session is 50 minutes, or 75 for a whole family. How often we meet depends on the family, and I set the pace with you. There is no set number of sessions, and you can stop at any point.

I am not in network with insurance plans. You pay the practice, and I give you a monthly receipt that you can send to your plan. I do not bill Medicare or Medi-Cal. The How fees work page has the details.

A superbill is an itemized receipt that your plan may use to pay you back. I send one each month. For family sessions it is written under one family member's name and carries a diagnosis code, which your plan will see. Your plan decides whether it pays, and how much.

If you pay without insurance, you have the right to receive a written estimate of the cost before you start. If a bill comes to $400 or more above the estimate, you can dispute it. The estimate is not a contract.

You get my fee in writing for each kind of session before you book. A limited number of reduced-fee sessions are held each month, so ask when you write. The How fees work page explains the rest.

Many plans let you use an HSA or FSA card for sessions. Check your plan's rules, and ask me for a receipt.

I am licensed in California. I see clients in person in San Francisco, and by video if you are in California when we meet. I cannot see someone who is in another state during a session.

This practice is not an emergency service, and messages are read on weekdays. If you or someone in your family is in crisis, call or text 988, any time. In an emergency, call 911. The Crisis and resources page lists more lines.

What you tell me is confidential, within limits the law sets: a risk of serious harm to someone, abuse of a child or an older adult, or a court order. With a teen, I explain at the start what I share with parents. The Consent and confidentiality page has more.

A parent or legal guardian gives consent for a child. For a teen, the rules depend on the state and the situation, and a parent is usually involved. I explain how they apply to your family before the first session.

I ask for 24 hours' notice to cancel or move a session. With less notice, the session fee may apply. If someone in the family is unwell or something urgent comes up, tell me and we will talk about it.