Frequently Asked Questions

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Many people benefit from psychotherapy. There are many different types of psychotherapy with different goals. Some types of therapy aid people in gaining insight into patterns of thinking, attachment, or behavior. Other types are skills based therapies where the person learns new methods interacting and dealing with people and the world around them. At Bay Area Psychological Services, our clinicians are trained in both insight and skill building approaches. 

People come to therapy with a variety of life experiences and insights. Sometimes talking about those life experiences can be painful. Making change can also result in a shift in the way a person interacts with others, which can be uncomfortable at first. Usually, the client is able to manage the distress and make significant improvement in their sense of well-being.  At Bay Area Psychological Services, we help clients create change at whatever pace feels most comfortable for them. 

Each therapist or agency sets their own rate based on experience, training, and cost of living. We try to keep our rates reasonable in order to make mental health treatment accessible to as many people as possible. Our clinicians offer a free 15-30 minute consultation to decide if we are a good fit to work together. We charge $200 per session for individual or couples therapy. 

The cost for psychological evaluations depends on the type of evaluation conducted and the number of tests required to conduct the evaluation. 

We are in network with HealthNet/MHN, Carelon (Kaiser of Northern California), Cigna, Aetna, Blue Shield/Magellan and Optum/United Healthcare. 

Copays and deductibles apply for all insurance based services. 

Most health insurance companies provide some form of mental health treatment. If you have coverage questions, please contact your insurance company to verify your benefits. 

While we fully appreciate that relationship stresses have a significant impact on mental health, relational issues are not in the DSM and are not covered by insurance.  

While our staff are trained to address a variety of mental health conditions and relationship stressors, we typically work with individuals managing anxiety, depression, bipolar-II disorder, trauma, substance abuse and recovery, and life adjustment concerns.  

Bay Area Psychological Services, Inc. is an affirming and inclusive practice where people are treated with respect. We provide psychological testing to people age 4-years and up. We provide psychotherapy to teens and adults ages 14+. We serve couples seeking to reduce relational distress, improve communication and strengthen their attachment bonds.

We work with couples to strengthen attachment needs and reduce conflict. Our clinicians support the couple as they rebuild trust in their communication to strengthen their connection. Throughout the process, the couple moves from disconnection to a more loving and supportive relationship that lasts well beyond the end of the counseling sessions. 

Each psychological testing session is unique, but there are some common things a person can expect. There will be an interview and questionnaires. The types of tests the psychologist uses depend on the referral question and information that comes up in the interview. There may be questionnaires and/or interviews for teachers or family members/friends (if the client is comfortable with that) to help get different perspectives on the client's presentation. Testing may take a few sessions and occasionally home or school visits. After all the information is gathered, the evaluator synthesizes all the information into a report that is used to answer the question being asked by the client and/or their treatment team. 

Bay Area Psychological Services provides psychological testing for a number of conditions and situations. We provide psychological testing for ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, testing to help other providers clarify a diagnosis, and pre-surgical evaluations for spinal cord stimulators or bariatric surgery. 

Our fee for psychological testing is $200 per hour. Some testing can be completed in 4-5 hours, others may take as many as 15-20 hours or more. This time includes scoring tests, reviewing previous records, synthesizing information and report writing. 

Many insurance companies cover psychological testing that is not related to education, but require a prior authorization. Please check with your insurance company to confirm their requirements.