Practice Policies

Thank you for taking the time to visit and read the practice policies. Please read through the page since it can help us determine whether we can begin our work together. Feel free to contact me with questions.

1. Scheduling & Billing

Sessions:

Our meetings are scheduled for 50 minutes and will start promptly at the agreed-upon time.

Regularity:

Therapy is a commitment to yourself, and showing up regularly is part of what creates possibility and change. I accept a limited number of clients in my practice. Once we establish an appointment time, I commit to holding that space for you.

I respectfully ask that you also commit to attending weekly so that we can achieve your goals, and so I can continue to hold your scheduled time slot for you. This is needed to lay a strong foundation, build trust, safety, and rapport, and clearly understand where you're coming from and how to support you best.

The frequency and reliability of weekly therapy sessions over time also allow us to deepen the work to allow for sustainable healing, growth, and restoration.

Bi-weekly sessions:

Transitioning to bi-weekly sessions becomes an option once we've met our therapeutic objectives and consider concluding our work together. When the time is appropriate, we can jointly evaluate and formulate a phased plan with a defined timeline to reduce the session frequency.

My aspiration is that, as we progress, you'll acquire the tools needed to become your own most effective advocate and therapist.

Fees and Payment:

  • Payment in full via credit card is expected at the time of your appointment.

  • The standard fee for a 50-minute therapy session is $200, unless a different arrangement has been agreed upon.

  • The fee we agreed upon is outlined in the Welcome Email sent to you, which includes a link to the Client Portal via Simple Practice. It is also detailed in the Good Faith Estimate.

  • Annually, on January 1st, session fees increase by $5. You will receive notice of such changes at least 30 days in advance.

  • In the event that I undergo specialized training during the year, necessitating a fee adjustment to reflect this enhanced expertise, you will be informed of any resulting changes at least 30 days in advance.

  • By providing your credit card information, you are authorizing me to charge your card for any services received or missed sessions not canceled with a 48-hour notice.

Cancellations:

If you cancel a session with less than 48 workday hours' notice before your appointment or miss a Monday session without canceling by the preceding Thursday, you will be billed at your regular rate. It's important to inform me as soon as possible if you need to reschedule or cancel a session, as this allows me to adjust my schedule accordingly. If we can reschedule during the same week, you won't incur charges for the missed session.

The practice of charging for no-shows or late cancellations aligns with industry standards. It acknowledges that when you book a session, you're not just paying for the service itself but also reserving a specific time that could have been offered to another client. Additionally, this policy helps me manage my business operations effectively, ensuring the sustainability of the practice and the consistent provision of therapy services.

In case of a genuine life emergency, such as a serious illness, a family death, or a car accident, you won't be charged for the missed session. However, a busy work schedule does not fall under the category of a life emergency. If you encounter transportation obstacles, like car issues or childcare problems, we can consider a phone session during your scheduled appointment time.

Charges will be invoiced or charged to the credit card on file. It's important to note that insurance companies typically don't provide reimbursement for late cancellations or missed appointments.

If repeated cancellations occur, even with advanced notice, we will have a discussion as it might indicate the need to reevaluate the therapy arrangement.

Additional fees:

Any sessions exceeding the standard duration and phone conversations extending beyond 10 minutes will incur a fee aligned with your regular session rate. This policy also applies to generating written reports and evaluations as authorized or requested by you and duplicating your file.

Insurance Reimbursement:

Should you seek reimbursement from your health insurance provider for the services provided, please reach out to them to ascertain their coverage specifics for mental health services.

It's essential to understand that insurance companies have varying policies concerning coverage for psychotherapy services. I recommend reviewing your policy to confirm coverage for services administered by a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist.

Moreover, it's beneficial to identify reimbursement limits and deductibles. If your carrier necessitates a diagnostic code, we'll discuss the diagnosis before submitting this information.

Upon request, I can furnish invoices, statements, or superbills for your convenience.

2. Availability between sessions and vacation time

Availability between sessions:

For administrative or scheduling inquiries, feel free to reach out via text at (925-270-6168) or email me at anny@triplemoonpsychotherapy.com. However, please note that I don't discuss clinical matters via email or text, and such discussions are reserved for scheduled appointments except in genuine clinical emergencies.

There may be instances where we need to communicate between sessions, primarily for scheduling concerns. Phone calls, emails, or texts can be used for this purpose. My working hours are from Monday to Thursday from 9:30 AM until 5 PM. Fridays are dedicated to training and personal self-care, and I do not accept phone calls or schedule sessions unless arranged in advance.

I strive to respond to your phone calls or texts within 24 hours for urgent matters and within 48 hours for non-urgent ones. During weekends or holidays, I'll only return calls or texts in case of emergencies. Otherwise, I'll get back to you on Monday or the next business day after the holiday.

Vacation time:

There are times when I'll be away from the office for extended vacations or to attend professional meetings and training. During these times, if I'm unable to take and respond to phone messages, I'll have another licensed professional covering my practice. I'll inform you well in advance of any anticipated lengthy absences. Details regarding additional coverage will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Typically, I take a month off during the summer and 2-3 weeks over the winter season.

3. Email and Text Usage

By nature, therapy is confidential. You can be confident that your insights, vulnerable experiences, and feelings will not be repeated outside the established therapeutic relationship.

However, email correspondence and text exchanges are NOT secure; therefore, a third party may breach such communications. Though internet security measures can be effective, it is never 100% seal-proof. Text messages can also be inadvertently circulated, forwarded, intercepted, and misaddressed to an unintended recipient. Moreover, email and text messages can be used as evidence in court.

This platform, Simple Practice, has an integrated messaging system that IS secure and HIPAA compliant. This is the best way to send me sensitive information securely.

My policy regarding email/text usage is as follows:

  • Email correspondence/text messaging with me is not secure.

  • Email correspondence/text messaging is no substitute for in-person treatment or online sessions.

  • Email correspondence/text messaging will not play a part in your therapy.

  • Generally, I will not respond to your emails or texts with clinical information.

  • Anything stated in an email/text from you will be discussed in session.

  • If it becomes necessary, I will terminate treatment if email/text usage is or becomes inappropriate.

4. Social Media Usage

Due to your confidentiality and the importance of minimizing dual relationships, I do not accept friend or contact requests from current or former clients on any social networking site. Adding clients as friends or contacts on these sites can compromise your confidentiality and our respective privacy. It may also blur the boundaries of our therapeutic relationship.

Occasionally, I may publish a blog on my website, as well as posts on social media platforms. I do not expect you as a client to want to follow my blog or any other social media account. However, if you want to follow any of the Triplemoon social media accounts, please feel free to do so. I will not communicate with you on social media platforms or respond to comments/direct messages to protect confidentiality.

If you have questions about this, please bring them up when we meet, and we can talk more about it.

5. Privacy in Public

If we coincidentally see each other outside of the therapy office, I will not acknowledge you first. Your right to privacy and confidentiality is of the utmost importance to me, and I do not wish to jeopardize your privacy. However, if you acknowledge me first, I will be more than happy to speak briefly with you. I feel it appropriate, however, not to engage in lengthy discussions in public or outside the therapy office.

6. Licensing and Qualifications

I’m a Registered Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of California. My license number is 132564.  I’ve completed a state-approved and accredited Master’s degree in Integral Counseling Psychology. I have specialized in trauma work with advanced training in Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) and Brainspotting therapy.

Additional education & qualifications:

  • Master's degree in Transpersonal Psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (ITP).

  • Master's degree in Organizational and Social Psychology from the London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE).

  • Certified Level 3 in Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS therapy).

  • Phase 3 trained in Brainspotting therapy.

Please visit Clinical Background & Trainings for more about my training and qualifications.