Frequently Asked Questions
Do you only see LGBTQIA people?
We’re here for everyone! Whether you’re straight, gay, bi, trans, cis, or nonbinary – you’re welcome here. Our therapists have experience working with all sorts of people and tackling a wide range of issues. While they each have their specialties, they’re also great all-rounders.
So, if you’re dealing with everyday stress, relationship problems, depression, anxiety, or any other mental health concern, we’ve got you covered. And if you happen to need more specialized support, chances are we can help with that too.
Bottom line: No matter who you are or what you’re going through, we’re ready to lend an ear and offer support. Everyone deserves good mental health care, and we mean everyone.
Do you offer lower fee therapy and psychiatric care (medication evaluations)?
Yes. Please discuss this with the intake coordinator or provider. Typically 20% of our work includes offering lower fees. This includes slots in our therapy groups, consultation groups, and WPATH mentorship. We are grateful to our pre-licensed associate mental health clinicians employed in our practice. They help us offer lower-fee therapy. Keep in mind that their lowest fee slot for individual adults is typically around $120-$160, and those slots are limited at this time. For couple and youth, two of our clinicians, Ari Neubauer and Anthony Magnia, are able to offer limited low fee slots of $60-$150.
Our psychiatrist does offer lower fee medication management and treatment for addictions (limited number of slots). Please reach out to our Client Coordinator through the contact form to discuss your financial needs.
How do I book a therapy appointment? What are the steps?
The best way to begin our scheduling process is by either filling out our contact form or by scheduling a free 15-minute consultation with the clinician of your choice.
Option 1: You can immediately book a free, brief, 15-minute intro meeting to see if a therapist or doctor is a good fit for you. Our staff will follow up and send you a link to a secure form so that your provider is prepared and we can learn more about your insurance or scheduling needs.
Option 2: Fill out a secure contact form. This gives us information about the issues you want to work on, your schedule, and clarifies whether our therapists are a good fit. Our intake coordinator will contact you and assign you a therapist who is a great fit, unless you requested a particular therapist. Our coordinator can book you a free, brief intro or full first therapy session.
Once I decide I want to see a therapist or doctor, what are the usual next steps?
In the full first “intake” session (50 mins) you and the clinician will talk about what is going on with you in detail, discuss your goals, and share more about your history.
- Assessment or evaluation can sound intimidating but basically for the first 3-4 sessions, your provider is learning about you, your mental health, and how you work together. Based on this information, they give you a better idea of how long you might be in treatment, if you have a particular diagnosis, and if you need to see a different kind of specialist. Sometimes, at the end of this process, you may be transferred to a different provider or program.
- After assessment, if you continue with your clinician, you will meet every week for therapy. Some people meet less frequently, which depends on their issues, if they are seeing the psychiatrist on staff, and finances. This may sound obvious, but people who attend consistently, rather than canceling a great deal, have more success. Your clinician will periodically check in with you about how you are doing on your goals and whether you are improving. You may hear that called a “treatment plan.”
How can I make get most out of therapy?
Folks who are engaged between sessions often make more progress. This may look like journaling, monitoring mood on apps or charts, meditating, using guided visualizations, doing workbooks, expressive arts, reading self-help books or blogs, or doing joyful movement. You can bring what you are learning, dreaming and writing about to sessions. Be honest with your therapist if you feel therapy isn’t working for you. This gives you an opportunity to talk about what can be improved. Final tip: Make a list of what you want to talk about before each session and take notes during sessions to review them later.
Where else can I see a lower fee therapist in California?
In the Bay Area, for queer and trans-competent therapists, try The Pacific Center (LGBT), The Oakland LGBTQ Center, and The Liberation Institute (LGBT). In Concord try The Rainbow Community Center (LGBT), and associates in private practices listed on Gaylesta.org. For general SF Bay Area therapy try: Open Path Collective, New Perspectives (MediCal and low fee), Blue Oak Therapy Center, The Psychotherapy Institute Community Clinic, The Wright Institute Clinics, and CIIS Church Street Clinic. Most offer online therapy/telehealth.
In Los Angeles County, for LGBT therapy, you can check out the L.A. LGBT Center.
In Sacramento, consider the Gender Health Center and Open Path Collective for general mental healthcare and the LGBT Center’s therapists.
What if I speak another language or am deaf?
We are committed to making our services accessible for you. Most insurance is obligated by law to provide you with interpreter services for your appointments. If you are paying out-of-pocket we will work hard to find an interpreter. As we are a small business, if the cost is an undue burden, we will let you know and work hard to find you a good solution with another agency.
Do you take insurance?
We have providers in-network for Aetna, Optum, United Behavioral Health/UBH, UMB, and United Health Care/UHC and take two employee assistance plans, Corporate Counseling Associates (CCA) and Lyra Health. We also can provide services if you have PPO insurance, which allows you to see out-of-network providers. If you use a PPO plan, your full fee is due at the time of the service. After a month, we will send you a special receipt called a “Superbill,” which you will submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Keep in mind if you are seeing one of our pre-licensed clinicians, you must check with insurance to make sure they will pay out-of-network claims billed under their licensed supervisor’s NPI (national provider identification) number.
What is the current wait to get in to see a provider?
The wait is approximately 2 days to 3 weeks, depending on the provider.
Do you only see people weekly?
We tailor therapy to your mental health needs and your finances. Some clients come in weekly, and others every other week. For medications your doctor will talk to you about how often is needed. Sometimes initially you need to come in more often as you are finding the right medication with your psychiatrist.
What forms of payment can I use?
When you register as a new client, we ask that you put a debit/credit card on file in our practice management system for billing. You can also use your HSA/FSA card. You can arrange with your provider to pay by check or money order if needed. Venmo and Zelle are *not* accepted due to privacy regulations.
How long does it take to write a letter to refer for surgery or other medical interventions?
Wondering about the process for being referred for your medical care? Here’s how we approach it with adults:
We start by getting to know you and your goals. Together, we’ll discuss:
Your mental health, family, and social supports
Options to help you reach your goals
The general benefits and risks of treatment as well as the risks of not getting treatment
What to expect during a recovery process
The assessment process helps us communicate your needs to your doctors and insurance companies. We follow the latest well-researched WPATH Standards of Care. How long a gender health evaluation takes is individualized. If you want to learn more, you are welcome to book a free, 15-minute video appt by filling out the secure contact form.
Can I use my FSA or HSA to pay for therapy?
Yes! You can use a healthcare savings account (HSA/FSA) to pay for sessions, which means your therapy is paid with pre-tax dollars, saving you money.
What are your Fees?
Check them out here.
What is a Good Faith Estimate?
Generally, when your therapist tells you how much you will be paying out-of-pocket, and you decide how many times a month you will be attending, you can easily estimate how much therapy will cost. Not so with other medical providers, when there are sometimes hidden fees and charges. However, therapists and psychiatrists, too, must give you a good faith estimate each year based on the 2022 “No Surprises Act.” Learn more here.
