FAQ

How old do you have to be to receive therapy services?

18 and older.

Do you accept insurance?

No. I am a cash pay practice only.

Will you provide me with a superbill to present to my insurance company if you are out of network?

Yes. I recommend that you contact your insurance to find out if you can be reimbursed a percentage of the contracted rate should you submit a Superbill to them.

What are the positives of using self-pay?

Increased privacy and confidentiality, as there is no required mental health diagnosis to justify treatment as medically necessary
Decreased paper trail, keeping any documents that may later be requested during legal proceedings or by long term insurance companies to a minimum
Learn and grow at your own pace and in your own time; you cannot be cut off by someone else deciding treatment is no longer medically necessary
No formal mental health diagnosis that may impact life insurance policies

What are your fees?

Individual Intake session 55-60 min - $200

Individual follow-up sessions 55-60 min - $175

Couples intake session 90 min - $300 plus a one time $39 fee (paid to Gottman institute for use of their standardized assessment tool to be included in your treatment planning ) Total =$339

Couples Follow up : 90 min - $250 60 min-$200

* 90 min sessions are usually recommended at the commencement of treatment, but can be mutually agreed upon with therapist to transition to 60 min sessions due to scheduling or financial concerns or if deemed clinically appropriate by therapist

*Good Faith Estimate

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost.

Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have
insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical
items and services.

• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total
expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes
related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and
hospital fees.

• Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate
in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item.
You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you
choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or
service.

• 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.

You may also start a dispute resolution process with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). If you choose to use the dispute resolution process, you must start the dispute process within 120 calendar days (about 4 months) of the date on the original ball. There is a $25 fee to use the dispute process. If the agency reviewing your dispute agrees with you, you will have to pay the price of the Good Faith Estimate. If the agency disagrees with you and agrees with Paola Caraker LMFT you will have to pay the higher amount.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit
www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-985-3059

Do you offer telehealth/video sessions?

Yes. I use a HIPPA compliant telehealth platform via Simple Practice.

Do you offer in-person sessions?

Yes.