Resources
Tips for identifying a psychotherapist:
Identifying a psychotherapist who meets your needs can be a complex process. Licensed psychotherapists may differ considerably with respect to education (e.g. PhD, PsyD, licensed clinical social worker [LCSW], marriage and family therapist [MFT], licensed professional counselor [LPC], etc.) and training/approach. PhD and PsyD are doctoral level degrees, and LCSW, MFT, and LPC are masters level degrees. A good fit between you and your therapist is essential to engaging in effective psychotherapy. It is not uncommon to consult a few psychotherapists before identifying the person with whom you would like to embark on your therapeutic journey, and a good psychotherapist will refer you to other therapists if either the fit does not work (for therapist or client) or the therapist believes your needs may be better met by another clinician.
The following article provides a general description of psychologists' (PhD, PsyD) training and work: https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/about-psychologists
This piece provides helpful tips for women of color and queer clients who sometimes struggle to find psychotherapists trained to meet their needs: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/therapists-for-women-of-color-and-queer-people-how-to-find-one
And lastly, this is a more general article on how to find a therapist that works for you. I, alongside other LA based psychotherapists, contributed to this piece: https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2020-12-23/how-to-find-a-therapist-who-is-right-for-you
dealing with your Health Insurance Provider
Figuring out insurance coverage for mental health care can be an overwhelming task. Here are some questions to guide you through speaking with your insurance provider.
Do I have mental health insurance benefits and do I need pre-authorization to access them?
Do I have out-of-network benefits for mental health? Can I work with a therapist of my choice (an out of network provider)? Is there a limit on the number of sessions I can have in a year?
What is my annual deductible for mental health services and has part of all of it been satisfied for this year? When in this year does the deductible start over?
What percentage of the cost of a therapy session will be covered by my insurance if I am working with an out of network provider?
For CPT billing code code 90834 (individual therapy session), 90847 (couples therapy session), and 90791 (initial intake/assessment session), what is your reimbursement rate?
What is the process for seeking reimbursement from my insurance provider after I have paid for a session? (I have included basic instructions for filing a claim below, but please obtain and follow specific instructions provided by your health insurance company.)
HOW TO FILE AN OUT OF NETWORK CLAIM WITH YOUR INSURANCE PROVIDER
Mail/email the following documents to your health insurance provider (or check to see if you can file your claims online, in which case, follow the specific instructions on your insurance company’s website):
A completed copy of your insurance company’s claim form (this can be found on the website of your insurance company; be sure to indicate on the form that you are requesting reimbursement of fees)
A copy of the superbill that I can provide to you on a monthly basis (this will include the diagnosis code, CPT/procedure code describing services provided, my license and business information, and proof that you paid the fees to me)
Please note: Some health insurance companies will offer reimbursement based on the rates they consider to be reasonable for psychotherapy in Los Angeles. To ensure you are getting fair and accurate insurance reimbursement for your psychotherapy, take a look at this helpful guide created by Dr. Marsha Lucas, a psychologist based in the Washington DC area: https://marshalucasphd.com/fair-accurate-insurance-reimbursement-therapy/
Low Cost Psychotherapy Services AND FUNDS TO SUPPORT PSYCHOTHERAPY COSTS
In the case that you are seeking low cost psychotherapy services, take a look at these articles:
And here is a list of funds that can help cover psychotherapy costs for BIPOC individuals:
National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network: https://nqttcn.com/en/mental-health-fund/
Loveland Foundation: https://thelovelandfoundation.org/therapy-fund/
Lotus Therapy Fund: https://www.asianmhc.org/lotus-therapy-fund/
Mental Health Liberation: https://mentalhealthliberation.org/bipoc-therapy-fund/
Local low-cost psychotherapy clinics IN L.A.
Please note: I have not personally worked with any of these clinics.
The Saturday Center
Maple Counseling Center
LA Gay and Lesbian Center
Southern California Counseling Center
Venice Family Clinic
Didi Hirsch