Cancellation Policy

Therapy sessions are generally scheduled for 50-55 minutes. I typically see clients on a weekly basis; however, we may see each other more or less frequently depending on your individual needs. Your therapy session is a time reserved specifically for you. If you are unable to attend your scheduled appointment, you must contact 24 hours in advance or you will be potentially be charged a late cancellation fee equivalent to your the session rate for appointments.
However, in cases of emergency or sickness, I will do my best to reschedule you later in the same week, without additional charge, provided a mutually acceptable time can be found. If no time can be found, you might be charged a fee equivalent to the session cost. You are liable for accrued charges. I will consider the appointment cancelled if client(s) arrive more than 15 minutes after the scheduled appointment time.
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You may ask to alter or cancel appointments through your client portal, via email, or through text. If through email or text, I will acknowledge the request or cancellation. If no acknowledgement occurs, I have not received your request for an alternate meeting time/cancellation notice.
Insurance does not cover missed appointments, including late cancellations and no shows. Therefore, a missed appointment or late cancellation fee will be assessed at up to $160 per session. If you normally use insurance to pay for services, you acknowledge and agree to to personally pay the fee as stated above, that insurance does not cover.

If I won’t work directly with your insurance provider, then I am an out-of-network provider. Depending on your insurance, you might be eligible for reimbursement for mental health counseling. If after verifying your benefits with your insurance company, you choose to use your insurance, I can provide you with a monthly statement to submit to your insurance for reimbursement and for tax purposes.
Payment is required after the completion of each appointment. Credit card information will remain on file, to be used for session costs, copays, or if a no show or late cancellation occurs. If you choose to use a different form of payment at the time of an appointment, cash and checks are accepted. Missed appointment fees will be charged to the credit card on file after a missed or late cancelled appointment. As indicated in the "communication" section, I will do my best to accommodate schedule changes that would result in a missed session or late cancellation fee. Continued services will not be scheduled until fees are paid.

If at any point in the course of treatment you are unable to pay your fee, please communicate this to me and fee arrangements may be renegotiated.
Additional documentation or phone consults may require additional fees. I will always always provide warning before additional fees accrue.
Planning Ahead: Please notify me as far in advance as possible if you will not be able to make your regular appointment time, if you will be on vacation, or if you’re thinking about stopping therapy. Clients assume a $25.00 penalty fee associated with NSF checks. I typically raise my fee periodically and will give you at least one-month notice of a fee increase.
I am happy to discuss any questions you have about these policies.

Safety, Communication, and Social Media

My goal is for my clients to feel comfortable with being able to reach me. I will gladly respond by either phone, text message, or e-mail. In between sessions, I can often be reached at (714) 519-6041. Monday through Friday. Additional fees may apply if the phone conversation is longer than ten minutes. As indicated in the "Fees and Payment" section, I will always provide warning. Phone conversation fees do not include the initial phone consult, which is free of charge. Although I can make no guarantee, I strive to return calls within 48 hours. If you are in crisis or are feeling suicidal please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Each county has a 24 hour support hotline which can be used at anytime. The following are hotline numbers for local counties: 

California's mental health crisis hotline: 988
Orange County: (714) 517-6353
Los Angeles County: (800) 854-7771
Riverside Mobile Response Team (951) 686-HELP (4357)
San Francisco Mobile Crisis Team (415) 970-4000)
San Diego Access & Crisis Line at 1 (888) 724-7240
National suicide prevention lifeline: 1 (800) 273-8255
The Trevor Project LGBTQ+ youth hotline. Text "START" to 678-678
Crisis Text Line: Text NAMI to 741-741
US Suicide Hotline: 1 (800) 784-2433

If you feel you are having a medical emergency, please don't wait for my response.  Call 911 or go to your local hospital for immediate assistance.

I do not accept or respond to friend or contact requests or messages from current or former clients on private social networking sites. This policy is designed to protect your confidentiality and our respective privacy. Any written communications can become a part of your medical record.

All office documents can be viewed in the Simple Practice client portal