Welcome to the Counseling Fees and Insurance information page. This section provides an overview of fees, payment options, and insurance information to help you plan for therapy with West Coast Psychotherapy. Knowing this information upfront will allow you to make an informed decision and create a budget that works for your needs.
Session Fees and Services
All Fees at due at time of service
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Individual Counseling: $295
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Marriage/Relationship Counseling / Couples Therapy (Certified Gottman Method Couples Therapy):
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Required Assessment: Three 90-minute sessions at $450 each, totaling $1,350
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Ongoing Sessions: $450 for 90-minute sessions
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Learn more on our couples therapy page
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Group Counseling: $130 per session
Note: Reduced fees may be available in rare cases. Please call to discuss options if you find fees beyond your budget, though significant discounts are not offered.
Payment Methods Accepted
All session fees are due at the time of service. West Coast Psychotherapy accepts the following payment methods:
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Cash
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Check
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Major Credit Cards
Budgeting for Therapy
Counseling is an investment in yourself. Just as you would budget for monthly expenses, planning your counseling budget can help you make the most of this investment. Here’s a 5-step guide to help you determine what you’re willing and able to spend on therapy each month
1
Identify the desired results and benefits you want from therapy.
2
Determine the worth, to you, of the benefits and results that you would receive from counseling. In other words, what’s it worth to you to transform the quality of your life? Is it worth $300 per month or $1,000 per month? Or a dollar amount in between?
3
Consider your ability and willingness to pay that dollar amount every month for as long as it takes. You may come to the conclusion that the dollar amount that you’re able to pay is not the dollar amount you’re willing to pay or the dollar amount that you’re willing to pay is not the dollar amount that you’re able to pay.
4
Explore insurance options to offset costs, including:
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In-Network Provider: Generally results in lower out-of-pocket costs.
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Out-of-Network Provider: May offer partial reimbursement if your insurance includes these benefits.
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Out-of-Pocket Payment: Paying entirely out of pocket, with HSA or FSA contributions if applicable.
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HSA or FSA: With the 3 options above, you may use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for counseling sessions.
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Find a counselor that fits your budget
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Understand that counseling is an expense and investment in yourself. You get to decide what type of investment you want to make into your healing, recovery and emotional wellness.
Insurance and Out of Network Options
Insurances Accepted
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Anthem
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Medicare
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Wellfleet/BlueShield of California (SHIP) for UC Berkeley students only. No other Blueshield plan and no other insurances are accepted.
If you elect to use your Wellfleet/Blueshield of California (SHIP) insurance there are important pieces of information that you need to know.
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Medical Necessity: Insurances pay for counseling services that meet medically necessary criteria. Much like going to see your doctor when you're sick, seeing a counselor or psychotherapist, and having your insurance pay for part or all of it requires that you be "unwell." This means that you must meet the criteria for a mental health diagnosis such as anxiety, depression, alcohol use disorder, or one of the many other mental health diagnoses found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). I will discuss with you at the very beginning if you meet the requirements to have your insurance pay for your counseling sessions. I will also let you know when you've gotten better and will no longer meet the medically necessary criteria for your insurance to pay for your counseling sessions. Sometimes continuing counseling is necessary, but you no longer meet medically necessary criteria as defined by the insurance company. In these instances, you can continue to work with me, but you will need to pay privately for counseling.
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Co-pay and/or co-insurance: This is the amount that you must pay the counselor, which is part of the total fee paid by your insurance. The amount varies significantly for each client based on the insurance policy and will be discussed during the initial phone call. You are responsible for knowing the amount of your co-pay or co-insurance. Payment is required at the time of service.
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Deductible: This is the monetary amount that you need to pay before the insurance will begin to pay the counselor. Deductibles vary significantly and will be discussed during the initial phone call. You are responsible for knowing your deductible and if it has been met.
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Payments: Clients are responsible for knowing their insurance benefits and coverage. Clients are responsible for all costs not covered by insurance for whatever reason, including insurance errors, such as the insurance indicating that something is covered, but then it turns out that it is not covered.
What You Get for Your Counseling Fee
Investing in counseling is a step toward profound, lasting change. Each session engages deep emotional, neurological, biological, and behavioral processes to help you make desired changes and live the life you truly want. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:
A Professional, Personalized Experience
Counseling with John is tailored to your unique needs and goals, designed to support real growth and healing. Using Brainspotting, a body-based counseling modality, John helps clients move from a state of emotional dysregulation to balance, transforming chaos into order.
Core Components of a Counseling Session
Active
Listening
John sets aside his own agenda to listen deeply, aiming to fully understand your current experiences, past challenges, and future aspirations.
Insightful
Questions
By asking clarifying and challenging questions, John helps you view your situation from new perspectives, fostering self-awareness and growth.
Expert Guidance and Emotional Tools
Whether you need direction, emotional tools, or clarity in using the ones you have, John works with you to create a customized plan for progress, combining his expertise with your insights and commitment.
Commitment to the Process
Counseling requires dedication. Regular sessions provide a consistent space for breakthroughs and healing. This commitment brings about a range of emotions, from laughter to tears, and ultimately supports personal transformation.
Additional Counseling Benefits
Counseling with John isn’t just about addressing pain or trauma. It’s also about achieving specific goals and improving performance in areas like work, sports, or creative pursuits where you feel stuck. Through therapy, you gain the tools to approach life’s challenges with resilience, confidence, and clarity.
A Pathway to Personal Growth and Fulfillment
Therapy allows you to transform emotional pain and trauma, leading to more joy, contentment, and emotional safety. It’s about reshaping your present to create a fulfilling future—empowering you to improve your relationship with yourself and cultivate meaningful connections with others.
Good Faith Estimate
In accordance with the No Surprises Act, West Coast Psychotherapy provides a Good Faith Estimate of expected therapy costs for clients who are not using insurance or are using out-of-network benefits. This estimate helps you understand anticipated expenses before beginning treatment, ensuring full transparency in your financial planning for therapy.
