FAQ
Questions parents ask
Starting therapy for a child can feel like a lot. Here are plain answers to what most parents want to know.
01Do you take my insurance?
We bill some PPO and employer plans directly and are out of network with others. Ask us before the first session and we will tell you which applies to your plan. We do not bill Medicare or Medicaid (Medi-Cal).
02What is a superbill and how do I use it?
A superbill is an itemized receipt we can give you each month to send to your plan. It lists a diagnosis code, which your plan will see. Your plan decides whether to reimburse, and we cannot promise it will.
03What is a Good Faith Estimate?
If you pay without insurance, you have the right to receive a written estimate of the cost of care before you start. We give you one before your first session. It is an estimate and not a contract.
04How do fees work?
Your fee is given to you in writing before the first session. The fees page explains insurance, paying yourself, receipts and estimates, in the order most parents ask.
05Can I use an HSA or FSA card?
Yes, for sessions you pay for yourself. Ask your plan what a receipt must show.
06What happens in the first session?
A clinician talks with you first, then meets your child or teen and explains how sessions work. Nothing is decided on the spot, and you only share what you are comfortable sharing.
07How often and how long are sessions?
Sessions are 50 minutes. Most families start with a regular time each week or every other week. Your clinician sets the pace and talks it through with you as you go.
08Are your clinicians licensed where we live?
Our clinicians are licensed in California. Children and teens meet in person at our Santa Monica office, and parent sessions can be by video if you live in California.
09What do I do in a crisis?
Call or text 988, any time. In an emergency, call 911. Our crisis page lists what to do while you wait and when we can be reached.
10What is private, and what are the limits?
What a child or teen says stays with the clinician, except when someone is in danger of serious harm, when the law requires a report, or when a court orders records. Our consent page explains each.
11Can you see my teen, and how does consent work?
A parent or guardian consents to a minor's care. State law lets some older teens consent on their own in narrow cases, and the clinician decides whether that applies. Our consent page explains how we handle it.
12What is your cancellation policy?
We ask for 24 hours notice. A late cancellation may be charged, up to the fee for the session, and we will tell you before it is.