Can I use my insurance?

At this time, I am only in network with California insurance providers. I am in network with Aetna, Blue Shield of California, Blue Cross of California, and Cigna. If you are in California and would like to use your insurance benefits with these companies, please let me know at the time of scheduling. I am not in network with any Indiana insurance networks therefore if you are a client located in Indiana you will not be able to use your benefits.

Can I use out-of-network benefits?

In some cases you may be eligible to use out-of-network benefits. You will be responsible for paying for each session in full at the time of service. If appropriate, I can provide a super bill for each month that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. If you do not have health insurance, your policy does not cover mental health benefits, or you are concerned about the cost of treatment, please contact me to discuss the possibility of a reduced rate.

How much can I expect to pay for therapy using out-of-network benefits?

Each insurance plan is different, so it is difficult to tell you exactly what you’ll pay. You can use the out-of-network reimbursement calculator linked here to get an estimate of what your costs will be using out-of-network benefits!

If you have out-of-network benefits, insurance companies will usually reimburse you for 60-80% of the cost of each session.

If needed, I will provide you with a special monthly invoice called a “super bill” that will include all of the information you need for your claims to be processed and be reimbursed by the insurance company.

How do I use my out-of-network benefits?

Most out-of-network benefits are pretty straightforward to use. Most insurance companies will have you upload your monthly superbill, process your claim, and mail you a check with your reimbursement.

Even though most insurance companies follow that general formula, every insurance company is different. It is always a good idea to contact your insurance company directly and ask them about your benefits.

You can ask them the following questions:

• Do I have out-of-network outpatient mental health coverage? Am I able to use these benefits for telehealth?

• What is my out-of-network deductible?

• How much of my deductible has been met this year?

• Do I need a referral from an in-network provider to see someone
  out-of-network?

• What percentage of outpatient psychotherapy sessions are covered per session?

• How much will I be reimbursed for a 45 minute psychotherapy session (CPT code: 90834)?

• How do I submit claim forms for reimbursement?

• How long does it take for me to receive reimbursement?

What if I can’t afford your rate? Do you offer reduced cost sessions?

Yes, I offer a limited number of reduced cost therapy sessions in my schedule. If you don’t think you can afford my full fee, please don’t hesitate to contact me!

If I’m unable to offer you a reduced cost session, I’d be happy to offer referrals to clinicians in your area.

If you’re hoping to find a provider who is in-network with your insurance, www.psychologytoday.com is a great starting place.

Do you work with clients anywhere in the country?

No, therapists can only provide services in the state(s) they are licensed in. Mandy is only licensed to work with residents of Indiana and California. You must be physically present in Indiana or California at the time of therapy in order for us to work together.

How do I know if we’re a good fit?

Before scheduling a therapy session, I do a free 15-minute intro video or phone call with all potential new clients. This gives us a chance to get to know each other. Here’s what we cover:

• I’ll ask you about why you’re seeking therapy

• I’ll tell you about myself and my approach to therapy

• You can ask me any questions you might have

• We’ll talk about cost, insurance, scheduling, etc.

Looks like we vibe! What next?

If we both decide we’re a good fit after our call, we’ll schedule our first therapy appointment. I’ll send you some forms to your email for you to complete before our first session. I’ll also send you a link for our video calls before every session.

What can I expect in our first session?

It is totally normal to feel anxious or nervous before you start with a new therapist! As a therapist, I provide a safe and non-judgmental space that makes it a bit easier to get started. During our first session or two, I’ll ask you a bunch of questions to help me form a better picture of you, your world, and your journey. I’ll listen to you without judgement and may ask a few follow up questions. Together, we’ll come up with goals of what you hope to accomplish in therapy.

During therapy you’ll have the chance to vent, cry, celebrate, together. We’ll also work together to develop new insights, challenge your thoughts, explore your history, and develop and practice new coping skills. Sometimes therapy can be hard work and sometimes it can be full of joy and celebration. Either way, I’m here to support you through it all!

How often will we meet?

I see most my clients weekly or every two weeks. I ask that all new clients commit to weekly therapy sessions for at least the first 4 weeks. This will help us get off to a strong start, so you can start to see progress sooner. After that, I may recommend we increase or decrease your frequency of sessions to best meet your goals and needs.

How long will I need to be in therapy?

Unlike more “solution focused” therapies, I am focused on exploring your needs, urges, and desires and connecting them to your current experience in the world. I take a holistic approach to treatment and want to do more than just eliminate your symptoms—I’ll help you build a better life.

Most of my clients find that they reach their goals in 6-12 months and no longer need therapy. I also have clients who choose to remain in therapy for much longer. They continue to see improvements and still enjoy having the ongoing support and a place to process their feelings and experiences every week.

If everything is online, do I need to worry about confidentiality?

Great question! I take your confidentiality and privacy very seriously. I use a HIPPA compliant medical records system for storing all of our session records and appointments. I also use this system to send intake forms and paperwork to ensure your information is protected. There may be times where you want me to share information about our sessions to a teacher, family member, other medical professional, or someone else. In those cases, I will have you complete a release giving me permission to disclose your information to that person.

There are a few times where I am required by law to tell someone what is going on in our sessions:

• If you disclose thoughts or plans to harm yourself

• If you disclose thoughts or plans to harm someone else

• If I am issued a subpoena by the courts

For more information about how I handle your private information, you can view my privacy policy here!