What to Expect
Therapy can be used on a short or long term basis to pursue a variety of needs. In a time of stress, hardship or trauma, it can be an invaluable and life-affirming resource.
Access
We typically provide services in more than 60 offices throughout the Greater Bay Area, including in Marin, San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, Albany, Alameda, Emeryville, Concord and Walnut Creek.With the development of the Coronavirus, most of our services are now provided via teletherapy (therapy by phone or video) and will continue in this format until further notice.
Fees
Grateful Heart Holistic Therapy Center has always provided flexibly-priced therapy to Bay Area residents experiencing economic hardships. In the wake of the Coronavirus, with our shift to teletherapy, we continue that commitment, and have expanded our geographic focus to include all California residents.
Although, on average, therapy in the Bay Area costs from $160 – $200 or more, our therapists commit to seeing at least three individuals, couples or families for a fee of $50 to $80 per session. While trying to maintain their own livelihoods, many are adopting an even more accommodating approach to scheduling, and when possible, fee-setting, especially for persons directly impacted by a loss of employment or income.
If you are not able to work, or are experiencing a loss of income or income security, please speak with us about your needs. Although we may not be able to extend you an indefinitely discounted fee, we may be able to assist you during this crisis.
If for any reason we cannot accommodate your budget or income, we will attempt to find you another therapist or provide you with referrals to reduced fee clinics. While we cannot guarantee to accommodate everyone, we will do our best to make counseling as affordable as possible. If you choose to submit the Therapist Referral Form through this website, we will ask you to specify the maximum you can afford to pay for therapy after your housing, healthcare and grocery costs and what resources you are considering when calculating this fee.
Sessions
Individual sessions are generally 50 minutes in length and occur weekly, however some therapists recommend longer or more frequent sessions. Often, therapists schedule longer appointments (the equivalent of a session and a half or two appointments) for couples.
Payment
Payment for therapy is made at each session unless other arrangements are made with your therapist. Our therapists accept cash or check (made payable to Grateful Heart or GHHTC) and some clinicians accept credit and debit cards via Square or IVY Pay. Unfortunately we cannot accept payments via PayPal or other credit processing portals.
Insurance
We do not bill insurance directly, however your therapist can provide you with a statement suitable for submission to your insurance. To find out if your insurance offers reimbursements for therapy or teletherapy services, please contact them directly. Be sure to ask if your benefits cover mental health services provided out-of-network and by an associate. Please also note that whenever insurance is used for psychotherapy, the treatment must be considered “medically necessary” and will require the documentation of a diagnosis. Other personal information may also be required for reimbursement by your insurance provider.
Cancellation
Your therapist will discuss their cancellation policy with you during your first appointment.
Emergencies
If you are experiencing an emergency, please contact either Suicide Prevention at (415) 781-0500, Crisis Support Services of Alameda County at (800) 309-2131 or San Francisco General Hospital at (415) 206-8125. If you are in immediate danger or need immediate assistance of any kind, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Confidentiality
The information that you share in psychotherapy is confidential and will not be discussed or released to a third party without your written permission and consent, unless disclosure required by law. Disclosure is required by law (1) if you are a danger to yourself or others, or (2) if you, or someone you have discussed, have been involved in an incident of child, dependent adult or elder abuse or neglect.
Our clinicians are legally obligated to intervene in these circumstances, including reporting the possibility of abuse to our local child or adult welfare agencies and contacting other persons or agencies that may assist in protecting you or others if we believe you are at risk of harming yourself or others. In certain legal proceedings, they may be required to submit information.