Frequently Asked Questions
Therapy Fees and Insurance
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Individual Therapy: $300 per 50-minute session
Couples Therapy: $400 per 50-minute session
My fees reflect the value of working with a licensed clinical psychologist with 13+ years of experience in the SF/Bay Area.
Sliding scale spots are currently full.
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Do you accept insurance?
I am an out-of-network provider and do not bill insurance directly. This allows me to keep my caseload smaller and provide personalized, high-quality care without the restrictions of insurance companies.
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Payment is due at the time of your appointment. You will enter your credit card information directly into the secure SimplePractice client portal prior to your first session, and payments are processed through Stripe following each session.
I accept:
All major credit cards
FSA (Flexible Spending Account) cards
HSA (Health Savings Account) cards
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If you have a PPO or plan with out-of-network coverage, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement. Upon request, I will provide you with a monthly Superbill (an itemized receipt with the necessary diagnostic and procedure codes) that you can submit to your insurance provider.
If you prefer help navigating the submission process, you can use independent third-party services like Reimbursify. They allow you to upload your Superbill and file out-of-network claims directly from your phone for a small fee.
Not sure if your plan covers out-of-network care? Call the member services number on the back of your insurance card prior to your first appointment and ask:
Do I have out-of-network benefits for mental health services?
What percentage is reimbursed for sessions with a licensed clinical psychologist (Ph.D.)?
Is there an out-of-network deductible I need to meet first?
What is the "allowed amount" per session for the following CPT codes?
90791 (Initial Intake Assessment)
90834 (Individual Therapy, 45–50 minutes)
90847 (Couples / Family Therapy, 45–50 minutes)
I am happy to walk you through this process or answer any questions during our initial consultation.
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While my sliding scale spots are full, these are some lower-fee therapy resources:
Walk & Talk Therapy FAQ’s
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Walk & Talk Therapy combines traditional individual therapy with gentle outdoor movement. Instead of sitting in an office or looking at a screen, we meet in South Berkeley for a 50-minute conversational stroll along flat, accessible paths and park loops. Moving side-by-side in fresh air can offer a welcome change from sitting indoors or meeting on Zoom, and some people find that walking helps them feel more relaxed and process thoughts more freely.
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Getting started is simple. Reach out through my contact form. I’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.
Your initial intake appointment is held virtually. During that session, we’ll talk about your goals, review whether Walk & Talk Therapy feels like a good fit, and go over the practical details. If we decide to move forward with it, your first regular therapy session can then take place outdoors in South Berkeley.
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We walk along quiet residential blocks and low-density park areas in South Berkeley. While absolute privacy cannot be guaranteed in public spaces, we naturally manage confidentiality by adjusting our voice volume, changing topics, or briefly pausing our conversation when passing others. Most clients find that walking side-by-side feels natural and discrete.
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Your health and safety come first. If there is rain, extreme heat, poor air quality (AQI), any other inclement weather, or you are feeling fatigued or ill, we can easily pivot our session to telehealth at your regularly scheduled time. You are always welcome to request a shift to a virtual session for any reason.
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Not at all. Walk & Talk is a relaxed, conversational stroll tailored entirely to your comfortable pace—it is not an exercise session. Comfortable walking shoes and layered clothing are all you need. If you ever want to slow down, pause, or sit on a bench during our session, we can easily do so.
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Walk & Talk sessions are individual psychotherapy sessions, and I can provide a superbill for you to submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Outdoor sessions are listed with Place of Service (POS) code 99, “Other Place of Service.”
Because reimbursement policies vary by insurance plan, I recommend contacting your insurer in advance to confirm whether psychotherapy provided with POS 99 is eligible for out-of-network reimbursement under your plan.
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Yes. I currently provide telehealth for clients located anywhere in California via a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform, as well as in-person Walk & Talk Therapy sessions in South Berkeley.
Both formats offer space for meaningful, supportive therapy—the best fit depends on your preferences, schedule, and what helps you feel most comfortable and engaged.
Telehealth can be especially convenient if you live outside the Bay Area, have a demanding schedule, or prefer talking from the privacy and familiarity of your own home. It allows you to access care without the added time and logistics of commuting.
For clients who prefer less screen time, gentle movement, or being outdoors, Walk & Talk Therapy offers an in-person option for individual sessions in South Berkeley.
As long as you are physically located in California at the time of your session, we can work together virtually through secure video sessions.
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Sessions are 45–50 minutes long. Most clients start with weekly therapy to build momentum, trust, and clarity around their goals. Some shift to biweekly as things stabilize or depending on schedule and needs.
Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some clients come in with a specific challenge and feel relief within a few months. Others may stay longer-term as they deepen their self-understanding, process life transitions, or continue personal growth.
Whether short-term or long-term, our work will be a collaborative process aimed at honoring your specific goals and needs.
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While my sliding scale spots are full, these are some lower-fee therapy resources:
CIIS - Golden Gate Integral Counseling Center
Therapy for Essential Workers (when available)
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Cancellations or reschedules must be made at least 48 hours in advance to avoid a fee. Sessions canceled or rescheduled with less than 48 hours’ notice will be charged the full session fee, including late arrivals.
🚨 Emergency Cancellations
I understand that true emergencies happen. In the case of a qualifying emergency (e.g., serious illness, hospitalization, or accident), you may reschedule within the same week, depending on availability.
What qualifies as an emergency is determined at my discretion.
Examples that do not qualify include work conflicts, family obligations, or general busyness.If you’re unsure or need to cancel, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
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Under federal law, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of expected costs if you’re not using insurance. This helps you understand what you may be expected to pay.
If you receive a bill that’s $400+ more than the estimate, you can dispute the charge.
Learn more at www.cms.gov/nosurprises. -
Yes—while I specialize in working with Asian American and children of immigrants, I welcome clients of all backgrounds. Many of the themes I work with—like anxiety, identity, relationship issues, family dynamics, and perfectionism—are universal. I’m here to support anyone who resonates with the experiences I describe, and I approach each client with curiosity, respect, and care for their unique story.
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Our free 15-minute consultation is a chance for us to get to know each other. You can share a bit about what’s bringing you to therapy, ask any questions you have, and get a feel for how I work. I’ll also share how I might be able to support you and let you know if I think we’d be a good fit. There’s no pressure to commit—this call is simply a starting point to see if therapy with me feels right for you.