FAQs
I need a referral for therapy. How do I find a good therapist?
When you call us, we will listen carefully to your concerns and help you find a therapist whose areas of specialization can best meet your therapy needs and goals. Together we will consider whether seeing someone individually or with important others might be more helpful. We will do our best to answer your questions and to honor any preferences when making referrals.
What about using my mental health insurance?
This is a very frequently asked question! Insurance benefits vary widely depending on your policy which is based on your employer’s contract with that company. If you plan to use insurance for your therapy appointments, be sure to check with your health plan in advance so you know what is covered, what your benefits are, and whether you can see the therapist of your choice. General categories include:
HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) where services are offered by specific providers who are employed by or contracted with the HMO. You must select a therapist from their list of providers.
PPO (Preferred Provider Plans) are similar to an HMO. However, your insurance company may also offer the option of working with a therapist “out of network” at a greater cost to you.
Medical Insurance plans allow patients to choose any licensed psychotherapist. After meeting a deductible set by your employer and the insurance company for medical care, you can receive a reimbursement according to a pre-determined percentage.
Medi-Cal and Medicare also require working with someone authorized to accept this health insurance plan.
Some clients prefer to pay privately to ensure confidentiality as all private health information (PHI) is now entered into a computer data base, and your insurance company requires that confidential psychotherapy information be shared in order to receive psychotherapy services and reimbursement. In addition, some insurance plans restrict number of visits and what is covered or reimbursed, for example, when couple therapy is not a covered benefit.
How much does therapy cost?
Fee setting, appointment scheduling and cancellation policy are typically discussed during your initial contact with your therapist. The standard fee for Feminist Therapy Connection therapists is $140 for each session. Our therapists also reserve hours for clients who need an adjusted fee. If you cannot afford our standard fee, please discuss your financial needs with your therapist during your initial contact.
Feminist Therapy Connection therapists know that clients needing psychotherapy may also be facing economic challenges. We also recognize that women and other groups may earn less for the same work. As an important service to our community, we offer psychotherapy consultation and referral to assist callers seeking psychotherapy, respecting each person’s unique needs and economic circumstances. In the event that one of us is unable to meet your particular therapy needs, we are committed to exploring other options to help you find a good therapeutic match.
What if I need medication?
Your need for medication must be evaluated and prescribed by a psychiatrist or medical doctor. We can discuss options with you and help you find a medication consultation.
Can you refer me to a feminist therapist outside of the SF Bay Area?
Our referrals are made to SF Bay Area therapists whose work we know and trust. Sometimes we have connections to feminist therapists in other geographic areas. We will do our best to refer you to a therapist outside of the SF Bay Area if we can.
I am seeing a therapist and would like to see someone else. Can you help me with this decision?
Sometimes clients call us to discuss concerns about a current therapy experience and we have been able to help them define the problem, listening carefully to their thoughts and feelings so they can decide how best to approach the impasse when speaking with their therapist. Discomfort and resistance at various points in the therapy are to be expected especially when sensitive material is revealed. Even in the best of therapeutic relationships, the therapist’s response may not meet with expectations and feel disappointing. We recommend speaking honestly and directly to your therapist about your thoughts and feelings. Your therapist has a professional responsibility to be helpful and take care of your best interests. Ultimately, the decision to continue or end therapy is a personal one belonging to the client.
