FAQs | deborahessex

Frequently Asked Questions

Before Our First Appointment

Before coming into your first session, we will have connected over the phone or by e-mail. It's important to discuss whether the difficulties you'd like to address are something I can help with. I like to get a sense of how often or how long you might want to come in. We will discuss scheduling, set up an initial appointment and I will send you intake and consent forms explaining how to get to my office. Also, we can discuss how payments are made, whether by medical insurance or privately. Permission to contact your medical doctor, psychiatrist, or prior therapist can also be helpful.

Adult Intake Form

Informed Consent

Couples Intake Form

Release of Information

Teletherapy Consent

Credit Card Authorization

Your First Session

The first session can be regarded as a "getting to know you" session. The aim is for me to understand what kind of help you need and whether my experience and therapeutic training will be a good fit for you. I like to allow a bit of extra time for this first session.

Payment & Insurance

Fees will vary depending on the type of service provided and the length of the session requested. Session length can vary from 50 to 80 minutes, and length of session is best determined collaboratively following the initial evaluation.

I am an in-network provider with; Aetna, Blue Shield and Cal Berkeley's student and faculty Health Insurance Plan (UC/SHIP).

I do not accept clients with Kaiser Insurance, MediCal, MediCare or other health insurance plans.

I can accept credit card , Venmo, Zelle or check payments.

Cancellation Policy

I have a 24-hour cancellation policy because scheduling an appointment with me reserves that time specifically for you. Please inform me as soon as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment. If you miss an appointment or cancel with less than 24 hours notice, you will be billed for the full amount of your session.

Availability

I am available by appointment only and I do not provide on call or walk-in services. Phone and/or video teleconference sessions may be arranged on a case-by-case basis. Occasional phone calls of less than 10 minutes duration will not be charged. Should the need arise for frequent phone check-ins of more than 10 minutes duration, you will be charged on a prorated hourly basis.

Teletherapy: available, when appropriate, after a welcome, and greet face-to-face visit.

Phone calls are generally returned within 24 hours. If it is a more urgent matter (arriving late or, the need to cancel an appointment) please text me: 510-548-8980. If you do not hear back, or if you are having a medical emergency, please call 911 or go to a nearby emergency room.

Email may be used for scheduling but it is not a secure form of communication and clinical or sensitive information should not be shared over email.

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