What is your rate?

I bill $225 for a 50 minute individual therapy session and I bill $250 for a 50 minute couples therapy session. I accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards. I often have sessions available for a sliding scale rate so please contact me to discuss fees. I am also happy to provide referrals if I do not have availability to accommodate you.

Do you take insurance?

At this time I do not bill insurance. However, I am an out-of-network provider, which means that depending on your PPO plan, I can you provide you with a statement at the end of each month (superbill) that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Can I use out of network benefits?

In some cases you may be eligible to use out-of-network insurance benefits. You will be responsible for paying for each session in full at time of appointment. ​

I work with Mentaya, a platform that helps clients get money back on out-of-network therapy sessions. If you have out-of-network benefits, Mentaya will file claims and handle the insurance paperwork to make sure you get reimbursed.

Note: Mentaya's goal is to save you time and money. It's completely optional, and as your therapist I do not benefit in any way from your participation.

You can use the out-of-network reimbursement calculator to get an individualized estimate of what your costs will be using your out-of-network benefits!

If you have out-of-network benefits, they typically will reimburse you for 60-80% of the cost of each session.

If you’d like, I will submit claims to your insurance company on your behalf via Mentaya.

How do I use my out of network benefits?

Your out-of-network benefits are usually pretty straightforward to use. To make things even simpler for you, I’ve partnered with a company, Mentaya, who will submit your claims to your insurance company at no cost to you.

Should you decide to submit on your own, most insurance companies have you upload your monthly superbill online (it’ll be sent to you on the 1st of each month) and then they will mail you a check with your reimbursement.

It’s always a good idea to call the number on the back of your health insurance card listed under Member Services.

You can ask them the following questions:

• Do I have out-of-network outpatient mental health coverage? Am I able to use these benefits for telehealth?

• What is my out-of-network deductible?

• How much of my deductible has been met this year?

• Do I need a referral from an in-network provider to see someone out-of-network?

• What percentage of outpatient psychotherapy sessions are covered per session?

• How much will I be reimbursed for a 50 minute psychotherapy session (CPT code: 90834)?

• How do I submit claim forms for reimbursement?

• How long does it take for me to receive reimbursement?

Do you provide in person therapy sessions?

At this time I am only providing therapy sessions via telehealth (online, virtually, or via phone).

What is the best way to contact you?

If you have additional questions, you can contact me by phone, text or email and I will respond within at least 24 hours.

* This is for non-emergency consultation only. In case of psychiatric emergency, please call 911 or 988 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Phone: 213.290.4781

Email: alexargolding@gmail.com

What is your cancellation policy?

I require a cancellation notice 48 hours prior to our scheduled appointment to avoid charge of the session. Emergencies of all types happen so there are exceptions to this policy.

The first time a client no-shows or runs more than 20 minutes late, I cancel their appointment and let them know that I don’t begin sessions more than 20 minutes late. However I give everyone ONE free pass on the late charge. I will then offer another time that week to reschedule.

Can you work with clients anywhere in the country?

No, therapists can only provide services in the states they are licensed. I am currently only licensed to work with residents of California. You must live in California in order for us to work together.

Will talking about what happened in my life make me feel worse?

If the idea of entering into therapy feels scary, I get it. It would mean accepting all of the bad that has happened in your life making it feel more real and true. However, not addressing the pain will only postpone the inevitable. I encourage you to take the first step in scheduling a consultation, as I’d love to support you in your healing.

What can I expect from our initial consultation call?

I utilize the initial call to get to know you, what is bringing you to therapy, and explore ways I can help you. This call is also for you to assess whether or not we may be a good fit. I believe the success in therapy strongly lies in the connection and relationship built between us. If I believe another therapist or form of therapy may be more helpful or beyond my expertise, I will provide you with referrals and resources.

What is the first therapy session like?

I use the first session to gather information about you, your background, and experiences to paint a picture of how I can best help you. We will collaborate on styles of therapy that may work best, as well as any goals you’d like to achieve through our work together.

Do I have to attend sessions weekly?

No. Therapy looks different for everyone. With that said, I do recommend that new clients attend 1 session per week for at least 1 month so we can build a relationship and I can better understand your needs. After this, it is up to you how often you’d like to attend. If finances are an issue, we can also meet less frequently depending on your needs. I am very flexible!

How will I know therapy can end?

There may not always be a clear end to therapy. Once you meet goals you’ve set or experience a significant reduction in your symptoms, it may be helpful to meet less frequently or pause sessions altogether. At any point you can change the amount of sessions we have as well as return to therapy after a period away.

Do you provide emotional support animal (ESA) letters?

Yes. I can provide you with an emotional support animal letter per your request. I require at least a commitment of 4 sessions before providing this letter so I can assess and understand how this may help you with your mental health needs.