Frequently asked questions

What is the new patient process?

Start by filling out the consultation request form. I’ll contact you to schedule a free, brief phone call so we can discuss what’s going on and whether I’m the right fit. If we move forward, the first appointment is a 90-minute comprehensive evaluation. Parents come with children and teens. Sometimes I need a second visit to finish the evaluation, for example to review records or lab results. At the end, I share my diagnoses and treatment recommendations, and we decide together whether to work together.

Do you see patients in person?

Yes, in my office in downtown Menlo Park, where parking is free and plentiful. I also see patients via telehealth anywhere in California.

What ages do you see?

Ages 3 and up: children, teens, and adults.

Do you take insurance?

I don’t bill insurance directly, with one exception noted below. Insurance companies set limits on session length and frequency that get in the way of the kind of care I want to provide, so instead of spending that time on billing and authorization paperwork, I spend it on patients. I know this makes my practice a poor fit for some budgets, and I’m sorry for that.

Through my patient portal you can generate a superbill (a detailed receipt) for each visit and submit it to your insurer for out-of-network reimbursement. Many patients are surprised by how straightforward this is and how much comes back. My practice also uses Reimbursify’s concierge filing, so the claims paperwork is handled for you at no extra cost.

One exception: I do accept Lyra Health for medication management, when offered as a benefit through your employer. Let me know when you submit the request form and I’ll check your eligibility. I don’t provide talk-therapy-only care through Lyra.

What are your fees?

My current fees are shared on the consultation request form, so you see them before we ever schedule. Payment is by debit or credit card through the patient portal, including HSA/FSA/HRA cards.

How does out-of-network reimbursement work?

Call your insurer and ask: what’s my out-of-network deductible and has it been met, what percentage do you reimburse after that, and do I need a referral? After you’ve paid for a visit, submit the superbill with your insurer’s claim form and they reimburse you directly, typically 40 to 80 percent of their allowable rate once the deductible is met. Note that insurers don’t reimburse for missed appointments, late cancellations, or paperwork time.

What is a network gap exception?

If your plan can’t connect you with an in-network psychiatrist with the right specialty within a reasonable distance and timeframe, which is often the case for child & adolescent psychiatry, autism, and neuropsychiatric conditions, you can ask your insurer for a network gap exception (sometimes called an out-of-network override). If approved, you’re covered as though I were in network. I’m happy to help with the paperwork.

Are there upsides to out-of-network care?

Three that matter most to my patients. Quality: no insurer dictating session length or frequency. Access: appointments as long and as often as the clinical situation calls for. Privacy: if you don’t submit for reimbursement, nothing about your care is ever shared with an insurer.

What is your cancellation policy?

Please give at least two business days’ notice. For example, for a Monday 4pm appointment, cancel by the prior Thursday at 4pm. Late cancellations and no-shows are billed at the full session fee, since that time was held for you. Emergencies are handled case by case.

Do you charge for calls, emails, or paperwork between visits?

Brief check-ins aren’t charged. Calls, emails, letters, forms, and coordination with schools or other providers that take more than about five minutes are billed in 15-minute increments.

Do you take money from drug or device companies?

No. I don’t accept payments from pharmaceutical or device companies, and you can verify that on the federal Open Payments database. I don’t want industry money anywhere near my clinical judgment.