Services and Frequently Asked Questions

Brightways Psychology provides both in-person and virtual sessions for teens and adults.

In-person individual therapy takes place on California Ave in Palo Alto every Thursday. Availability is limited, so we prioritize Accelerated Resolution Therapy® sessions for adults and teens.

Virtual therapy usually suits older children (10 and up) and adults best. They may need tech support from an adult, which can influence trust and privacy.

Brightways Psychology is dedicated to offering care that fits your unique needs. Insurance usually has limits, such as the number of covered sessions. It also requires much unpaid administrative work. In some cases, billing issues or clawbacks may arise. As a small practice, we lack the staff to handle claim submissions and follow-ups. This process takes a lot of time and limits how many people we can assist. So, Brightways Psychology is not “in network” with any health insurance providers. Being “out of network” gives us more freedom. We can figure out together how many sessions you want and whether to do them online or in person.

If you are curious, this NPR article presents an accurate description of the issues mental health practitioners face when dealing with insurance companies: Finding a therapist who takes your insurance can be nearly impossible. Here’s why

This article describes how joining a venture capital-backed mental health company (i.e. Alma, Headway, BetterHelp, Grow, Rula etc.) so that insurance can be billed also may not be in the patient’s or the mental health practitioner’s best interest: Let’s run away together: I’m a therapist leaving venture capital-backed mental health.

Check with your health insurance provider. Ask them about your “out of network behavioral health coverage.” Find out if you need to meet your annual deductible before your sessions are covered. Here are the CPT codes for reference:

-90791 for the first session
-90834 for 50-minute sessions
-90837 for 60-90 minute sessions

If your PPO plan covers some out-of-network fees for behavioral health, Brightways Psychology will provide you with a “Superbill.” A “Superbill” is a statement that lists the clinical services you received. You can use it to get reimbursed by your insurance for fees you paid out of pocket. 

For more information, download this document for questions and tips to ask your insurance provider. It will help you verify your mental health out-of-network coverage.

 Fees for a 50-minute therapy session are $225.00. This reflects typical rates for psychologists in the San Francisco Bay Area. The fee for Acceleration Resolution Therapy, which lasts 90 minutes, is prorated to $405.00. Brightways Psychology does not offer a sliding scale.

Your appointment time is set aside for you. If you miss your appointment and don’t cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours ahead, you must pay the full fee. This policy is in place because Brightways Psychology cannot fill your spot on short notice.

California residents can meet virtually using a HIPAA compliant platform like Zoom. You will receive a link for the session in advance.

If you would prefer to meet in-person because you are unable to find a private space to join a virtual therapy session, I am able to meet in person on California Ave in Palo Alto on Thursdays.

If you think Accelerated Resolution Therapy® is right for you after we talk by phone, you’ll receive an email. This email invites you to set up an account with Brightways Psychology’s patient portal. This system keeps all your paperwork private and secure.

When you accept the patient portal invite, you need to complete your background information. You’ll also sign forms to agree to therapy policies and fees. These forms may take time to read. They aim to give you clear and transparent information. This way, you can make an informed choice about engaging in therapy.

After you finish the paperwork, Brightways Psychology will reach out to set up your first session.

The first session will focus on gathering information. We’ll review your medical and mental health history. We’ll also check your family history and current symptoms or concerns. We will keep this information confidential unless you risk harming yourself or others. We will use it to find the best treatment for you. You can also ask questions about the practice policies.

We will meet once a week for at least 4-6 weeks. This will help us identify the goals you would like to meet using therapy. If you are in need of extra support, during an acute crisis for example, we may meet twice a week.

Therapy focuses on personal growth. It can help you deal with trauma. It can help you explore challenges in your relationships or parenting styles. Each session is a stepping stone, guiding you through life’s challenges. Embrace the journey as therapy empowers you to heal and thrive in tough times.

Once you are more able to use the skills learned in therapy on your own, we will often switch to meeting every other week.