Services
Providing individual virtual (California) or in-person (Palo Alto) psychotherapy for adults, parents (of children of any age), and older children (ages 10 and up) who are facing the emotional complexities of:
Pain management and chronic health issues
Caregiving related to chronic illness or complex needs
Trauma and PTSD (related to reproductive trauma, birth trauma, NICU experiences, or medical trauma)
Anxiety and mood disorders (including during pregnancy and the postpartum period)
Grief and loss (related to chronic illness, complex needs, and fertility challenges)
Goals can include helping facilitate the ability to…
Touch photo for more info
Click photo for more info
Manage Chronic Illness & Complex Needs
Reduce Negative Emotion due to Uncertainty
Process Trauma & PTSD
Cope with Loss & Move Forward with Grief
FAQs
Most frequent questions and answers about our services
[For general questions, see our Home Page FAQ section]
Do you take insurance?
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.
How can I use my insurance for out-of-network coverage?
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.
What are your fees?
Fees for a 50-minute therapy session are $250.00. 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 $450.00. 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 a fee. This policy is in place because Brightways Psychology cannot fill your spot on short notice.
Do I need to fill something out before we meet?
If you think working with Brightways Psychology is a good fit 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.
What happens at the first appointment?
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.
How often will we meet?
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.
What is your cancellation policy?
Because a time commitment is made to you and an appointment is held exclusively for you, I cannot fill that time slot without sufficient notice.
To cancel or reschedule an appointment, please contact me at least 24 hours’ notice or you will be responsible for the full appointment fee.
What should I bring to my first session?
Please write down and bring in important background information that you might forget and would like to share. Also, sometimes it can be hard to remember all the questions you may want to ask, so feel free to write them down in advance and bring them with you as well.
Can I switch between virtual and in-person sessions?
If you have an in-person appointment on Thursdays you can easily switch to a virtual appointment.
However, if you have a virtual appointment that is not on a Thursday you will not be able to switch to an in-person appointment unless an appointment time opens up on a Thursday.
Do you prescribe medication?
As a licensed clinical psychologist I cannot prescribe medication.
What happens if I need support in between sessions?
I am often not immediately available by telephone, especially when I am with a patient. When I am unavailable, you may leave a confidential voicemail message for me, 24 hours a day. I check my messages regularly and will make every effort to return your call within 24 hours (with the exception of weekends and holidays). If you are difficult to reach, please inform me of times when you will be available.
If you cannot wait for me to return your call because it is urgent, you can text or call the 24-hr Suicide and Crisis Line at 988, go to the nearest emergency room, or dial 911.