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+ Who do you serve?
Support is available for adults navigating a range of mental and physical health concerns. Care is designed for non-urgent needs that can be addressed through tele-health. The Therapy and Telemedicine pages provide more detail about the types of concerns that may be a good fit.
+ How do I get started?
Getting started can feel like a big step. Appointments can be scheduled directly online at a time that works for you. Some people choose to begin with a full session, while others may reach out with questions first. Either approach is welcome.
+ What happens when I get started?
The first step depends on the type of care you’re seeking. For therapy or medical care, the process typically begins with a scheduled appointment where there is time to understand your concerns, goals, and what feels most helpful moving forward.
+ What is the cancellation policy?
Ideally, 48 hours’ notice is requested for cancellations. At the same time, it is understood that unexpected things come up. There is no charge for appointments that are rescheduled. Appointments can be changed through the patient portal, or by message, email, or phone.
+ What are the payment options?
You can pay for these services directly by credit card. For individual appointments, patients are billed and charged via credit card through our patient portal Simple Practice. We do not participate in any insurance networks and do not accept insurance. For patients with a health insurance policy and/or employee healthcare benefits (ie, FSA, HSA, or HRA) it will often provide some coverage/reimbursement. For telehealth appointments sometimes video-only is reimbursed, not audio. We will fill out forms and provide you with reasonable assistance to help you receive the benefits to which you are entitled; however, you (not your insurance/benefits) are responsible for full payment of fees. Based on this, it is very important that you find out exactly what services your benefits will reimburse.
+ Do you accept insurance?
This practice is not in-network with insurance and does not bill insurance directly.
+ What does “not in-network” mean?
It means that we do not participate with any insurance plans at this time. Payment is made at the time of your visit, rather than being billed directly to your insurance company.
+ Can I be reimbursed by my insurance?
Some insurance plans offer out-of-network benefits, which may allow for partial or full reimbursement. Coverage varies depending on your plan.
+ What is a superbill?
A superbill is a detailed receipt that can be submitted to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Documentation can be provided after your visit if you choose to pursue this.
+ Can I use HSA/FSA/HRA funds?
If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), or Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), these funds can often be used for services. Check with your plan administrator to verify what qualifies.
+ How do I know what my insurance will cover?
Coverage varies widely across plans. It can be helpful to contact your insurance provider or benefits program directly to understand your coverage, including whether out-of-network providers are covered and at what rate. Payment is the responsibility of the patient at the time of service.
+ Do you offer sliding scale fees?
Fees are generally set at a standard rate. In some cases, limited flexibility may be available based on individual circumstances. If cost is a concern, you’re welcome to reach out to discuss options or explore resources that may be a better fit.
+ Do people benefit from therapy?
Everyone has feelings of emotional ups and downs at some point in their life. An individual may want to consider seeking professional support (ie, counselor, psychologist, behavioral and/or mental health provider) when these feelings are too much, too often, or are having a negative impact on other aspects of their life and relationships.
+ What is therapy?
Therapy is a collaborative process between you and a provider. Through regular conversations, it can help reduce distress, improve well-being, navigate challenges, and support meaningful change.
+ How does online therapy work?
Therapy is offered through secure video (and sometimes phone). Many people find this more convenient and accessible, though the experience may feel different from in-person care.
+ What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
CBT psychotherapy includes strategies that help connect an individual's thoughts and beliefs about the world with their behaviors and emotional experiences. CBT has been shown to reduce distress, promote well-being, and help patients identify and reach their goals.
+ Are there other non-CBT related approaches?
There are over a hundred different approaches to therapy. Many therapies share several commonalities including the intention to help those in need. Aside from CBT, many other therapies can be categorized under psychodynamic/psychoanalysis or humanistic approaches. To find psychologists by approach, check out the APA Locator and filter by "treatment methods." To find out more about what approaches might be helpful for what conditions, see APA Society of Clinical Psychology section on treatments.
+ What are the alternatives to therapy?
For those experiencing mild symptoms, self-help resources such as books or apps can be helpful for learning new skills and ways of thinking. Not all self-help books are equal and many are written by non-experts without any scientific evidence; however, professional organizations have tried to consolidate helpful recommendations for patients and providers (see ABCT, ACBS, and APA).
+ Can I have a brief consultation before starting therapy?
In some cases, a brief call may be available to ask questions or explore whether therapy feels like a good fit. These calls are optional and not required to begin care. Many people choose to start directly with a scheduled appointment, where there is time to talk through your concerns and goals in more depth.
+ Does therapy have to be weekly?
Although weekly 55-minute therapy is often suggested to keep up momentum towards individual goals, in reality frequency can vary due to scheduling, cost, and need. We know that life is busy and schedules change. Parhelia Wellness is designed so that individuals can choose appointment times and schedules that work best for them. Based on this, cost of therapy can vary.
+ How do virtual medical visits work?
Visits are conducted by secure video and designed to be flexible and focused. You’ll have time to talk through your concerns, review options, and make a plan together, with follow-up and coordination available as needed. For more details, please see the Telemedicine page in the menu above.
+ What kinds of concerns can be addressed through telemedicine?
Telemedicine can be a good fit for many low-risk concerns that can be addressed safely without an in-person exam, including mild symptoms, medication management (non-controlled), routine labs, and preventive or lifestyle support. For a full list of what we support, please see the Telemedicine page in the menu above.
+ Do you prescribe medications?
Our physician is able to prescribe medications as clinically indicated during a visit. Some examples might be for high blood pressure, mild depression, or diabetes medications in patients with controlled Type 2 diabetes. We are unable to prescribe controlled substances such as opioids, benzodiazepines or stimulants.
+ When should I seek in-person or urgent care?
Some concerns are better addressed in person or require more immediate care. If symptoms feel urgent, worsening, or severe, it is important to seek care through urgent care or emergency services.
+ Who do you work with?
Consulting and research support is available for healthcare professionals, researchers, academic teams, and organizations across healthcare, academic, and applied settings.
+ What types of consulting do you offer?
Support may include clinical consultation, research collaboration, patient engagement and facilitation, program development, quality improvement, and training or workshops. Work is tailored to the needs of each project and can range from brief consultation to ongoing collaboration.
+ Can you collaborate on research or grant proposals?
Yes. Collaboration may include contributing as a clinical or content expert, supporting study design, patient-centered approaches, facilitation, data interpretation, or writing and dissemination.
+ Do you work with organizations or just individuals?
Both. Work may be one-on-one, with small teams, or with larger organizations depending on the scope of the project.
+ How do I get started with consulting?
You’re welcome to reach out to share more about your project or schedule a time to connect through the “Request Appointment” option.
+ Will I work with one or both of you?
Projects may be supported by one or both team members depending on the needs of the work.
+ How are consulting services priced?
Consulting is tailored to the scope and needs of each project. Details can be discussed during an initial conversation.
+ Where can I find your publications or presentations?
A sample of our work is available on our Publications page.
+ Where do I need to be located for services?
Services are provided to patients located in California (and Vermont only for mental health therapy), in accordance with licensing requirements.
+ Do you offer in-person visits?
All services are currently offered only online.
+ Can I work with both providers?
Some people choose to work with one provider, while others may benefit from a more integrated approach. Integrated care means bringing together mental and physical health perspectives, with the option to coordinate care across providers when it feels helpful and aligned with your goals. Options can be discussed based on your needs and preferences.
+ Will you communicate with my other providers?
Coordination with other providers (outside of Parhelia Wellness) can be part of care when it feels helpful. This is always done with your permission and based on your preferences.
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