Frequently Asked Questions
General Inquiries
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During our free 15-minute consultation, we will answer any questions you have so you can be sure we’re a good fit.
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The first session will be to better understand your interests and clarify your goals. Over the next few sessions, our goal is to form a treatment plan to best support your journey.
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We offer both in-person therapy and testing. We also offer telehealth options when clinically appropriate.
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Finding the right therapist is essential for effective therapy, and there are a few key signs to look for. First, you should feel safe, respected, and truly listened to during your sessions. Their expertise should align with your goals, meaning they have experience with your specific challenges and the right therapeutic tools to help you. It’s also important to understand their style and approach—whether they are more directive or allow you to lead—so it matches what you’re looking for. Practical considerations such as insurance, budget, scheduling, and convenience also play a big role in ensuring therapy fits into your life.
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For therapy:
If you are feeling motivated to grow beyond your trauma and reclaim balance in your life, you could be a good fit for relational trauma therapy. Over our decades of experience in the mental health field, we’ve found that simply showing up and being motivated are the best predictors of whether therapy is right for you.For testing:
If you have tried therapy and things still feel off or missing, or you are struggling with your daily responsibilities, then let us work together to better understand whether something is being missed in your clinical picture. -
The number of therapy sessions required depends on the individual, couple, or family. Some people can process their struggles quicker than others. Some people become so affected while exploring their distress that the process needs to evolve slowly. The goal is to get you to the point where you can continue through the experience gracefully, while having the tools to manage any unpleasant reactions.
Regarding testing, the number of sessions necessary to complete the process depends primarily on the complexity of the clinical questions. While we strive to minimize the time required for the testing process, it is common for testing to take multiple days, and because additional clinical considerations can arise as testing progresses, the process itself will necessitate additional time. The goal of testing is to cover as much of your clinical picture as possible, so we can provide greater clarity about what is occurring and an actionable list of treatment recommendations to guide your mental health journey effectively.
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You can schedule an appointment by contacting our office through our contact page. Once that is complete, a member of our staff will contact you as soon as possible.
Fees & Policy Inquiries
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At present, we are in-network with Aetna and Optum/UnitedHealthcare. For individuals who are not in-network with one of our insurance plans, our out-of-network fee for therapy is $250.00 per session. The fees for our testing services vary depending on the type of testing needed. To discuss testing costs, please contact us so we can better understand your interests.
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At present, we accept credit cards, checks, and Health Savings Account (HSA) cards.
For individuals not covered by an insurance network to which we belong, we can provide documentation of therapy or testing services for submission to your insurance upon request. Some insurance companies may offer partial or full reimbursement. Therefore, it is helpful to check with them.
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Psychological testing is a specialized activity that often requires more time and effort than insurance companies are willing to cover. By not taking insurance or opting out of insurance, we can truly use our education, training, and expertise to provide you with as complete a service as possible to get the answers you seek.
For those interested in self-paying for therapy, the benefit of doing so is that our psychologists and clinicians can then use the breadth of their experience and clinical training to best meet your goals. It is not uncommon for insurance companies to dictate how treating clinicians operate, including which tools and therapeutic approaches they are willing to cover. Sometimes, those mandates can lead to suboptimal treatment strategies, which can delay your treatment progress or prevent you from fully meeting your goals.
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Yes! Many insurances cover therapy and testing services. For most individuals enrolled in one of the insurance networks we accept, the only responsibility is the copayment, which is typically charged to the credit card we keep on file on the day of the appointment.
Our service is covered by these In-Network Insurance Plans:Aetna
Optum/UnitedHealthcare
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If you need to cancel your appointment, please contact our office no later than 24 hours before your scheduled time. Any late cancellations are subject to the service fee charged to the payment method we have on file. Individuals who do not attend their session without proper notice will also be charged the service fee to the payment method we have on file.
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All forms of communication and records are maintained in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) guidelines.
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All forms of communication and records are maintained in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) guidelines.
Ready for Support That Brings Clarity?
Duality Psychological Services offers therapy and psychological testing in Sherman Oaks to help you understand your patterns, feel grounded, and move forward with more clarity. When you’re ready, we are here to talk through what you’re facing and help you take the next step.