FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why the name “Forge The Key Therapy”?: “Forging The Key” in therapy represents the process of collaboration and combined energy to find and create effective tools and help you discover valuable abilities within yourself. You may be able to access parts of yourself and create “keys” to open doors that you never knew were possible or achievable.
Where are you located?: I serve all of California via online therapy. I do not currently offer in-person sessions.
Do you take insurance?: Yes, I currently take Aetna and United Healthcare/Optum through Alma. See my Alma page for details. I also take Anthem Blue Cross through Headway. See my Headway page for details.
What are the private pay rates?: For an individual 55 minute session I charge $200.00.
What are the out of network options?: I provide monthly superbills for those who would like to use them. They work for most PPO plans and some EPO plans. Superbills are a receipt of services paid for with a diagnosis. You submit the superbill to insurance for partial reimbursement. The amount that you get back varies and depends on your specific plan. Some people get half or even full coverage using superbills. You may need to meet your deductible before you get the reimbursement, but submitting the superbills go toward your deductible.
What is EMDR therapy?: EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a process of learning tools to regulate when experiencing intense emotions, target and reprocess stuck or distressing life experiences and heal through your brain’s own inherent abilities to create new neural pathways. When EMDR was created, eye movements were the primary bilateral stimulation used. Now it has been adapted to have more options such as tapping and auditory tones. “Bilateral stimulation” is any type of back and forth movement to activate both sides of your brain and also focus on multiple things at once to decrease distress.
How can EMDR therapy help me?: The body and mind hold on to difficult past experiences. EMDR helps to alleviate the lingering thoughts, emotions and body sensations through working on current triggers or past events. We revisit these experiences in a secure way to “desensitize” them which is a fancy term for adjusting your ability to revisit them with less upsetting feelings. If you picture your memory as a file folder, we take out a file, work with it and put it back in a slightly less upsetting state each time. There is even research that EMDR therapy can be superior than Prozac in treatment of trauma (Van der Kolk et al., 2007). Research also shows positive outcomes for anxiety and depression (Maxfield, 2019). Another nice feature of EMDR is that there is no homework involved AT ALL!
Will EMDR make me forget memories or create false memories?: No. EMDR does not erase memories or create false memories if done properly. The only changes to the memories are in the way you experience looking back on them now by reducing the intensity of the emotions, thoughts and body sensations. We only focus on the things you already remember.
Will EMDR make me remember things from the past that I forgot happened?: This is possible as we access networks of memories. It does not always happen. It can involve events you have repressed or forgotten about. It can be part of the healing process and if this does occur I will be able to help you process the memories that come up in a secure way.
Will EMDR be upsetting?: It can bring up intense emotions and sensations. However, we will always do a significant amount of preparation work to be able to manage things that come up. We also can pause at any time or stop if it feels like too much to manage.
Can EMDR work for neurodivergent folx?: Absolutely! I tailor EMDR to all types of brains and I am identity affirming. We sometimes have to adjust some pieces of the process and be flexible. Sometimes we can even work through abelist ideas that others had towards how your brain works because they were harmful emotionally.
Can EMDR work over the computer?: Yes! Sometimes clients need to fit therapy into their schedule or be in a more comfortable space. I have adaptations available for EMDR to work effectively through telehealth. There is an abundance of research that shows telehealth is just as effective as in person for EMDR.
Your Right to a Good Faith Estimate: Notice to Clients and Potential Clients
What is Different About Therapy Than Just Talking to a Friend?
Someone who has training will be able to give you objective feedback that is confidential and provide you with research backed skills. Therapy is a dynamic process and is all about you, which leaves space for you to focus on what you need. Lastly, sometimes we just vent to friends, but therapy is a collaborative process- feedback from the therapist is an important piece.
How Does Telehealth or Virtual Therapy Work & What are the Benefits?
Telehealth is therapy using an internet based confidential platform via live video. This can be more convenient, save time, and can be used anywhere you have access to internet, a phone or computer and a quiet confidential space. Research has shown that telehealth can be just as effective as in person
therapy.
How Do I Decide Whether To Use Insurance Or Not Use Insurance?
If you use your insurance, we are required to share your diagnosis with your insurance company. This is one of the main reasons I don’t take many insurances. When we work without being under the microscope of insurance, we can do the type of work that is best for you, in a timeframe that suits your needs – even if it doesn’t fall into the approved model of care of your insurance company.
Many insurance plans have high deductibles. You may be among the growing number of people who must pay a deductible amount before the insurance company will reimburse for any services. If that’s the case, you’ll be paying out of pocket even if you see someone in your network.
Using your insurance may be less expensive if you have a low copay.
Insurance Deductible VS Copayment
What is a Deductible?
A deductible is the amount of money you must pay out-of-pocket towards covered benefits before your health insurance starts paying. This amount is set is set by insurance company and I cannot alter or change this amount. The amount also must be paid at the time you have your appointment.
What is a Copay/Copayment?
A copay is a fixed out-of-pocket amount paid by you (the insured) for covered services once your deductible has been met. This amount is paid when you receive care.
Questions?
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