Fees
Standard rate:
55-60 minute sessions. Contact for price. I also offer options of 2x a week or month sessions.
*Fees are charged at the start of each session but may not show on your account until the following day. I require a credit card on hold for initial and ongoing sessions through a HIPAA secure platform called Sessions Health.
Insurance
I do not accept insurance. I am not contracted by any insurance company and considered an out-of-network provider.
I can provide you with a receipt called a superbill at the end of the month which you can utilize with your insurance for reimbursement after meeting your deductible.
You’ll want to take notes and do some research since your insurance may be able to cover 40-80% of the cost of therapy sessions.
Questions you should ask your insurance company:
Does my plan provide out-of-network reimbursement for mental health? Is there a maximum out-of-pocket limit and if so, once reached, what is the reimbursable amount and will it cover 100% after its reached?
Am I covered to see a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist? You can provide them with the following information if necessary: Vineel Maharaj, California LMFT 123091. National Provider Number (NPI): 1205280575
Is the following code covered: 90834 or 90837 Individual Psychotherapy 45-60 minutes?
Is any prior authorization, pre-certification, or approvals needed. Does it need to be by a doctor, the therapist, or psychiatrist?
Are there any restrictions to tele-mental health sessions?
Are there limits on the amounts of sessions covered and visits where I will eventually need an authorization?
Is there a maximum amount I will be reimbursed within a year or period of time? If applicable, ask them how much of the deductible has been met to date and what date does the deductible start/end (usually Jan 1 to Dec 31).
Do I need a diagnosis on the statement I receive from my therapist for reimbursement?
How do I go about getting reimbursed. Do I need to fill out a form, paper or online? Submit a letter with receipt? What kind of documentation do I need to send and where do I send it?
How many days after the date of service do I need to submit (usually between 90 and 365 days).
And finally let them know you will be paying the provider (me) up front and ask them how to make sure the provider does not get paid by them. You’ll want to get reimbursed and not have the insurance send money to the provider.
Treatment length
Typically, therapy ends when goals have been met. You might start with me to decrease burnout but also accomplish improving your self-care, boundaries, and assertive skills. We’d consider that goal completed.
Some meet their goals in a few weeks or months while others spend years in therapy, creating new goals as their lives improve and change. As long as you’re making gains from therapy and we have something specific to focus on, we can continue working together.
What should I expect?
If you've never been in therapy, then imagine a dialog with a trained professional. It's like your doctor or attorney’s office with guidance, collaboration, nonjudgement, and your ability to speak freely regarding your experiences.
If you've experienced therapy, then you know that the time spent is all about you. You understand that goals are set and efforts are made to reach them. At times there may be no agenda as you may want to explore a present issue over other things.
It’s normal to experience:
Moments of silence or nervousness before a session
Difficulty expressing yourself or feeling there’s nothing to talk about
Slumps in progress (since change isn’t easy)
Feeling emotionally fatigued after a session
It’s important to:
Trust the process
Ask questions
Stay consistent with sessions
Do the work: any assigned homework and self-care
Share what’s working and what isn’t
Be honest
Take notes
Reflect
Can you fix my problems?
A therapist colleague said it best, “If I could give you advice that would solve all your problems, you probably could have gotten it from the internet or a friend. I’m here to collaborate with you to explore your options — you’re in the driver seat. I don’t have the answers but I can help you find them within yourself. ”
When you experience insights and see changes your problems will shift from out of control to manageable and less troublesome.
How are the sessions?
The first interaction we'll have is a no-cost consult call as we gauge whether we're a fit to work together. The second session is an assessment of your concerns and forming a treatment plan filled with goals to focus on. Learn about my approach and the issues I treat.
Throughout sessions, I will get to know you and how you interact in the world. As sessions progress, you'll be working towards discovering and implementing strategies to navigate around your obstacles.
Cancellation policy
Once we agree on a time that works for you on a regular basis that time is reserved for you and only you.
A session can be canceled once every 3 months with a 72-hour notice. Late cancellations are considered to be 24 hours before the appointment.
No-shows will be charged at your individual session rate.
Late cancellations and no-shows can be made up through an alternative time that week based on availability. I will do my best to accommodate you.
For clients using packages:
You may cancel your appointments at any time (no advanced notice is required). You can make up the session anytime that I have available during your 3 or 6-month time frame.
Office hours
Currently, sessions are conducted on weekends (Saturday or Sunday from 8am-2pm) until I can be available during weekdays.