Frequently Asked Questions
"I'm glad you asked..."
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How do I get started?I'm so happy you've decided to take this step. This is the ultimate gift you can give yourself. When you're ready, schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation. This will give us the opportunity to learn more about each other to determine whether we are a good match. This is essential because research shows clients who are closely aligned to their therapist demonstrate better outcomes in therapy. During our phone call we'll explore our goodness of fit and determine next steps at that time.
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Do you offer in-person and/or virtual therapy?At this time, my practice is fully remote. I offer virtual therapy services to youth and adults residing in California through a HIPAA-secure video platform. This grants accessibility to clients throughout California and allows therapy to occur within client's personal spaces and throughout their busy days. Due to license restrictions, I cannot offer therapy services to individuals residing or visiting outside the state of California.
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What are your rates?For private pay clients, I charge $200 for a 50-minute therapy session. All payments are due at the end of the session, and I accept most major credit cards. If you are paying out of pocket, I can provide you with a monthly superbill to submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement. I encourage you to contact your insurance provider to confirm your out-of-network mental health benefits. I do offer a limited number of reduced rate spots if financial stability is a concern for you. Please reach out if you would like to discuss further. My resource page also includes a list of referrals for reduced rate therapy services.
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Do you take insurance?I do! I am credentialed with Aetna, Optum, Oscar Health, Oxford, and UnitedHealthcare through Alma Platform.
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How frequently do we meet?I encourage all new clients to begin with once weekly sessions as this allows us to build rapport and create meaningful treatment goals. I also understand that, due to circumstances, weekly therapy may not be feasible for everyone. We can discuss your unique circumstances to see if an alternative meeting cadence may be appropriate.
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What is your cancellation policy?I ask that you give me at least 24-hour notice, as this allows me to provide your appointment slot to others who may need it. I charge a late cancellation fee equal to the cost of your session for any cancellations made within 24-hours of your scheduled appointment.
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What happens in our first session?What a wonderful question! In our initial session, we'll further explore your reasons for seeking therapy and how I can be of assistance. You don't need to do anything special to prepare for our initial meeting. Simply arrive as you are and begin from where you presently stand. It's common to feel the urge to divulge everything about yourself during the first session, but that can be overwhelming. As time goes on, all of the relevant parts of your story and identity will naturally become part of our work together.
No Surprises Act
Notice to clients and prospective clients:
Under the law, health care providers need to give clients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.
It is always my intent to be as transparent as possible about my service fees and the services I provide. If you ever have any concerns or questions, please feel free to contact Amy Salgado, LCSW, Owner of Amy Salgado Therapy at amysalgadotherapy@gmail.com.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.
You can ask your therapist, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service, or at any time during treatment.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, or how to dispute a bill, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.