Services
Phone Consultation/Making an Appointment
The first thing I do is offer a brief, complimentary initial phone consultation. You can contact me via email or phone to make an appointment for this consultation. This is an opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns you might have. After this initial phone call, if we decide that I am the right therapist to meet your needs, we will set up a time to meet for an intake assessment.
Intake session
Taking the initial step to reach out and identify a path towards change can be challenging. Accordingly, it is important to find the right match with a therapist who meets your needs and preferences. We will use the intake session to review your background, clarify the struggles you hope to address in treatment, and determine an appropriate and optimal path forward.
Therapy Sessions
Therapy sessions are 45 minutes long and are often held weekly. This regularity is important for cultivating a strong therapeutic alliance and maintaining momentum in the behavioral change process. As we progress through treatment, we may decide to meet less frequently depending on your needs and circumstances. To maximize the success and benefit of treatment, it is common to engage in between-session exercises to practice skills and strategies.
Referrals for Medication
Some clients may consider the addition of medication to their treatment regimen. Although I do not prescribe medication, I will gladly discuss this option with you, and can provide referrals to several excellent psychiatrists. Following a medication evaluation, we can work in conjunction with your prescribing doctor and medication regimen.
Phone Consultation/Making an Appointment
The first thing I do is offer a brief, complimentary initial phone consultation. You can contact me via email or phone to make an appointment for this consultation. This is an opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns you might have. After this initial phone call, if we decide that I am the right therapist to meet your needs, we will set up a time to meet for an intake assessment.
Intake session
Taking the initial step to reach out and identify a path towards change can be challenging. Accordingly, it is important to find the right match with a therapist who meets your needs and preferences. We will use the intake session to review your background, clarify the struggles you hope to address in treatment, and determine an appropriate and optimal path forward.
Therapy Sessions
Therapy sessions are 45 minutes long and are often held weekly. This regularity is important for cultivating a strong therapeutic alliance and maintaining momentum in the behavioral change process. As we progress through treatment, we may decide to meet less frequently depending on your needs and circumstances. To maximize the success and benefit of treatment, it is common to engage in between-session exercises to practice skills and strategies.
Referrals for Medication
Some clients may consider the addition of medication to their treatment regimen. Although I do not prescribe medication, I will gladly discuss this option with you, and can provide referrals to several excellent psychiatrists. Following a medication evaluation, we can work in conjunction with your prescribing doctor and medication regimen.
Fees and Cancellation Policy
The fee for a 45 minute individual therapy session is $275. Dr. Heinz also offers off-site [socially distanced] nature-based stress reduction sessions in local parks and forests ($300). This rate is comparable to that of other psychologists in the Bay Area. A limited number of low-fee spots are held for individuals with financial hardship. Scheduling of an appointment involves the reservation of a time specifically for you. If you wish to cancel an appointment, it is important that you provide notice at least 48 hours in advance in order to avoid being billed for the session.
Good Faith Estimate - No Surprises Act
Under the “No Surprises Act” from January 2022, 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.
If you are uninsured or not using insurance (private pay) you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call CMS at 1-800-985-3059.
Forms of Payment Accepted
I currently accept payment via cash, check, and credit card as well as Venmo, PayPal, and Zelle.
Insurance and Reimbursement
I am an out-of-network provider, which means I am not on insurance panels. However, many health plans will reimburse for treatment provided by a licensed psychologist and you may be able to receive reimbursement from your insurance company for my services. At the end of each month, upon request, I can provide you with a statement of services that you can submit to your insurance company.
Please note that insurance plans vary widely, and you are responsible for determining what mental health benefits you receive and for obtaining reimbursement. I recommend checking your coverage carefully by asking the following questions:
The fee for a 45 minute individual therapy session is $275. Dr. Heinz also offers off-site [socially distanced] nature-based stress reduction sessions in local parks and forests ($300). This rate is comparable to that of other psychologists in the Bay Area. A limited number of low-fee spots are held for individuals with financial hardship. Scheduling of an appointment involves the reservation of a time specifically for you. If you wish to cancel an appointment, it is important that you provide notice at least 48 hours in advance in order to avoid being billed for the session.
Good Faith Estimate - No Surprises Act
Under the “No Surprises Act” from January 2022, 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.
If you are uninsured or not using insurance (private pay) you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call CMS at 1-800-985-3059.
Forms of Payment Accepted
I currently accept payment via cash, check, and credit card as well as Venmo, PayPal, and Zelle.
Insurance and Reimbursement
I am an out-of-network provider, which means I am not on insurance panels. However, many health plans will reimburse for treatment provided by a licensed psychologist and you may be able to receive reimbursement from your insurance company for my services. At the end of each month, upon request, I can provide you with a statement of services that you can submit to your insurance company.
Please note that insurance plans vary widely, and you are responsible for determining what mental health benefits you receive and for obtaining reimbursement. I recommend checking your coverage carefully by asking the following questions:
- Do I have mental health benefits?
- Can I be reimbursed for seeing an "out-of-network" provider?
- How many sessions per year does my insurance cover?
- How much will I be reimbursed per therapy session for an "out-of-network" provider?
- What is my annual deductible?
- Do I need pre-authorization?