Therapy Services

Issues Addressed

for Individuals, Couples, and Families

Actors/Artists #MeToo
Sexual abuse & harrassment
Anger Management
Career Counseling
Coping Skills
Domestic Abuse
Domestic Violence
Family Conflict
Grief
Life Transitions
Marital and Premarital
Self Esteem

Sexual Abuse
Spirituality
Sports
Performance
Stress
Suicidal Ideation
Trauma and PTSD
Women’s Issues

Anxiety & Depression

Family Counseling

Relationship & Marriage Counseling

Gambling Addiction

For gamblers and their families

Fees

Payment

Individual psychotherapy fee is $150.00 per 50-minute session, and the couples fee is $250. Cash, PayPal or VENMO confirmation is due before or at the beginning of each session, payable to: Gloria Lakin, a monthly record of payment can be provided upon request.

Individual

Couples

PayPal glorialakinmft@gmail.com

Venmo @Gloria-Lakin-1

Insurance Reimbursement

How do I use out-of-network health insurance benefits for therapy?

Here is how you can use your out-of-network health insurance benefits:

1. First, pay the complete session fee before your therapy session. You are responsible for full payment of the fee at the start of each session.

2. Then submit the invoice claim that I gave you to the insurance company (by mail, fax, or online) – whatever your insurance company recommends. The invoice claim may be submitted after every session, or once per month (if approved by your insurance company).

3. Finally, the insurance company will provide you with reimbursement in check form.

Your co-pay is only a set percentage of the therapist’s fee as a result of the reimbursement from your insurance company.

Please contact your provider to verify how your plan reimburses you for psychotherapy services.

About Insurance – Please Note

You should be aware that most insurance companies require you to authorize me to provide them with a clinical diagnosis. Sometimes I have to provide them with additional clinical information such as treatment plans or summaries, or copies of the entire record (in rare cases). This record will become part of the insurance company files and will probably be stored in a computer. Though all insurance companies claim to keep such information confidential, I have no control over what they do once it is in their hands. In some cases, they may share information with a national medical information databank.

Sessions

Individual or couple therapy is a scheduled 50-miniute session, at a time at which we both agree upon. Once an appointment is scheduled, you will be expected to pay for it unless you provide 24 hours advance notice of cancellation or unless we both agree that you were unable to attend due to circumstances beyond your control. I will do my best to reschedule an appointment the same week.

Privacy Practices

Professional Records

The laws and standards of my profession require that I keep treatment records. You are entitled to receive a copy of your records, or I can prepare a summary for you instead. Because these are professional records, they can be misinterpreted and/or upsetting to untrained readers. If you wish to see your records, I recommend that you review them in my presence so that we can discuss the contents. Clients will be charged an appropriate fee for any professional time spent in responding to information requests.

Confidentiality

All communications between a client and a psychologist is confidential as required by California state law. I can only release the fact that you are my client and information about our work together, if I obtain your written permission prior release. This applies to spouses, family, friends, physicians, etc.

Notice

Psychotherapy is not easily described in general statements. It varies depending on the personalities of the psychologist and patient, and the particular problems you bring forward. There are many different methods I may use to deal with the problems that you hope to address. Psychotherapy is not like a medical doctor visit. Instead, it calls for a very active effort on your part. In order for therapy to be most successful, you will have to work on things we talk about both during our sessions and at home.

Psychotherapy can have benefits and risks. Since therapy often involves discussing unpleasant aspects of your life, you may experience uncomfortable feelings like sadness, guilt, anger, frustration, loneliness and helplessness. On the other hand, psychotherapy has also been shown to have benefits for people who go through it. Therapy often leads to better relationships, solutions to specific problems, and significant reductions in feelings of distress. But there are no guarantees of what you will experience. Sometimes psychological services are provided primarily to prevent further deterioration of your mental or emotional status, which is considered maintenance treatment.

I am NOT a Psychiatrist, a medical doctor, and cannot prescribe medications. I cannot be responsible for the side effects that often accompany psychotropic medications and will recommend that you speak to your prescribing physician to alter your medication if you are experiencing detrimental side-effects. If you would like me to speak directly to them about your case, I will need a written Release of Confidentiality signed by you, before doing so.

Contacting Me

I am often not immediately available by telephone. My telephone goes to my voice mail that I monitor periodically throughout the day. I will make every effort to return your call. text or email the same day you make it, with the exception of weekends and holidays. If you are difficult to reach, please inform me of some times when you will be available. Telephone calls, texts, and email access are offered as a professional courtesy and this service does not constitute an emergency psychological service. I am not responsible for your behaviors or decisions occurring outside the consultation room at any given time, whether before or after a telephone call or consultation. If you are unable to reach me and feel that you can’t wait for me to return your call, contact 911, your family physician or the nearest emergency room and ask for the psychologist (psychiatrists) on call. If I am unavailable for an extended time, I can provide you with the name of a colleague to contact, if requested.

Forms

Safe Harbor Therapy Counseling Intake Form

Confidentiality and Cancellation Policy

HIPPA Form

Contact Form

Introduction Form

Outdoor Therapy Form