What is the cost of a session?

The initial diagnostic session with Jane is $125 for a 50-60 minute session. Subsequent sessions are $110 for a 45-50 minute session. Payment is due at time of service. Jane does provide a reduced rate of $90 per session for those who prefer to pay in advance each month for those scheduled appointments.

Most insurance covers 50-80 percent of treatment, depending on your insurance company. Due to the burden of working with HMO's and PPO's, Jane will no longer be participating in their programs after 2006. She will be happy to bill your HMO or PPO for you and, hopefully, you will recoup some of your cost. Most insurance will reimburse you at a "non-provider rate." Check with your HMO or PPO.

Who pays for services?

While LMFTs are authorized providers of psychotherapy in most insurance plans and in the federal government's CHAMPUS program, reimbursement varies depending upon your insurance. LMFTs are specifically named in California's "freedom of choice" laws (California Insurance Code) giving patients the right to choose the mental health practitioner of their choice. LMFTs are covered providers in California's Victims of Crime Program, and are also reimbursed under California's Workers Compensation laws.

Jane is a participating provider for several insurance companies, but will be severing those relationships at the end of 2006. Jane will require full payment at time of service beginning January 2007. Until then, Jane will accept a co-payment (amount varies depending upon your insurance plan) and will bill your insurance directly for payment.

REMEMBER: Insurance can compromise your privacy and confidentiality. Paying out of pocket eliminates a “middle man.”

How often will a patient be seen?

Typically, depending upon the diagnosis, clients are initially seen weekly until stabilized and then sessions are spread out to twice a month or monthly until therapy is completed.
“ Marriage and family therapists regularly practice short-term therapy; 12 sessions on average. Nearly 65.6% of the cases are completed within 20 sessions, 87.9% within 50 sessions. Marital/couples therapy (11.5 sessions) and family therapy (9 sessions) both require less time than the average individuated treatment (13 sessions).” quote from American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists

Does Jane take my insurance?

A few years ago this was an easy question. However, with all the changes in the insurance industry it is very difficult to keep track of the policies of all of the insurance companies.
Jane presently bills most insurance companies and Victim Witness Assistance Program. Between the first and second session your insurance company will be contacted to verify what coverage you have contracted with them to cover.

Jane accepts Victim Witness Assistance Program, a state program to assist the victims of violent crime, as payment in full.

Jane does not participate in Medi-Care or Medi-Cal programs.

I do not have insurance, does Jane take payments?

Due to “dual relationships,” Jane cannot offer payment plans other than accepting payment at time of service. Visa, MasterCard, and most bank debit cards are accepted. Jane does offer a discount of $90 per session when patients pay for their upcoming appointments a month in advance.

Is therapy confidential?

Your confidentiality is very important to Jane and in California your confidentiality is the law. However, confidentiality is limited by state law. There are three major exceptions to patient confidentiality. Therapists are mandated to report suspected physical and sexual abuse of a child or senior citizen and endangerment to self and others. Your confidentiality will be clearly explained at the beginning of your initial session and is completely noted in Jane’s Psychotherapist-Patient Services Agreement and HIPAA Privacy Notice.

Why use a Marriage and Family Therapist?

Research studies repeatedly demonstrate the effectiveness of marriage and family therapy in treating the full range of mental and emotional disorders and health problems. Adolescent drug abuse, depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders, and post traumatic stress disorder -- as well as marital distress and conflict — are just some of the conditions Marriage and Family Therapists effectively treat.

Studies also show that clients are highly satisfied with services of Marriage and Family Therapists according to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT). Clients report marked improvement in work productivity, co-worker relationships, family relationships, partner relationships, emotional health, overall health, social life, and community involvement, again according to studies referred to by the AAMFT.

What are the qualifications for a Marriage and Family Therapist?

The regulatory requirements in most states are substantially equivalent to the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists Clinical Membership standards. After graduation from an accredited program, a period - usually two years - of post-degree supervised clinical experience is necessary before licensure or certification. In California, MFT interns must complete 3000 supervised hours and submit an application to the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) before sitting for the written and oral boards.

Specifically, what are Jane’s qualifications?

Jane graduated from the Master’s Counseling Education Program at San Diego State University in 1987 after receiving a paid sabbatical from her school district to attend SDSU’s prestigious program. Jane completed the two-year program in 13 months maintaining an overall 3.66 GPA during her rigorous year. Upon returning to her home and school district, Jane worked full-time as a teacher and worked pro bono at the Marine Base Family Advocacy Program to acquire some of her 3000 supervised hours. Two years later, she changed positions in her district and worked full time as the Attendance Counselor providing services to six schools from 7th grade through 12th grade. Through this position, Jane completed her 3000 supervised hours and applied for licensure. In 1993, Jane sat and passed her written exam and her oral exam, passing both the first time she tested for each (pass rates were approximately 41% for first-time participants that year). Upon licensure in 1993, Jane continued to work full-time in her district as a teacher and began a part-time private practice. In 1993, Jane and her husband relocated from Southern California to Northern California where Jane worked at another school district for four years before taking her private practice full-time in 2002. In 2003, Jane became trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and is currently working on becoming certified.

What is EMDR?

For a PDF brochure about EMDR click here.