Holistic Mental Wellness Therapy Center | Oakland CA | 94610

Grateful Heart Holistic Therapy Center in Oakland, CA helps families, couples, individuals and children with mental health, trauma, grief and life changes

  • Holistic Mental Wellness Therapy Center | Oakland CA | 94610
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Your First Session

Forms

Once you have made your appointment, you will be asked to complete a few forms. You can complete these forms either before or during your first meeting. These forms ask basic information about your:

  • Telephone, email and address information
  • Emergency contact’s telephone, email and address information
  • Medical history
  • Current prescriptions/medications
  • Prior experience in psychotherapy
  • Presenting concerns
  • History of drug and alcohol use
  • History of trauma, if any
  • Initial goals for therapy

If you currently being seen by a psychiatrist or other health care professional, your therapist may also ask you to complete a Release of Information.  It is your choice whether to consent.

Your First Meeting

During your first meeting, most therapists will ask you some preliminary questions as a way of getting to know you and your reasons for seeking therapy. These questions might include:

  • What concerns bring you to therapy at this time?
  • Have you been in therapy before? If so, what was most helpful or problematic about the experience?
  • What are you hoping to experience, accomplish or discover in therapy?
  • How long do you expect to come for therapy?

During your first session, we also encourage you to ask your therapist any questions you may have. The following questions are typical:

  • What is your general therapeutic orientation and approach?
  • Do you have any areas of specialty?
  • How frequently or long do you typically see clients?
  • Do you take insurance?
  • Are you available for phone sessions?
  • What is your position on medication?
  • How active are you in session?

The Importance of Match

Scientific research has identified that psychotherapy is effective. It has also been demonstrated that the effectiveness of the therapeutic process depends more on the quality of interpersonal rapport between a therapist and client than a therapist’s techniques, education or approach. It is believed that the relationship between a therapist and client is the most significant predictor of therapeutic success. We encourage your to consider how you feel in the presence of your new therapist as a way of deciding whether he, she or they are a “good match” for you. Remember, sometimes it takes a few appointments to get a true sense of what it might be like to work with someone.

Confidentiality

There are laws that protect the communication between a client and therapist. In most cases, the information you share with your therapist cannot and will not be disclosed to anyone without your written permission. Exceptions to confidentiality include:

  • Suspected child abuse, dependent abuse or elder abuse.
  • Threats of serious physical harm to others

Does Insurance Cover Therapy?

In some cases, insurance plans can help cover the cost of therapy. Check directly with your insurance company to inquire about your plan’s coverage. Here are some questions that might be helpful to ask:

  • What mental health benefits for therapy (or teletherapy) do I have under my plan?
  • Do I have out of network benefits?
  • Can I see an associate under my plan?
  • How much will insurance cover per session?
  • How many sessions will be covered?
  • Do I have coverage to see an out-of-network provider? At what level?
  • Do I need prior approval from my primary care physician?
  • Will I need a diagnostic evaluation for insurance purposes?

 

Grateful Heart Holistic Therapy Center

We offer affordable teletherapy (therapy by phone and by video) throughout the Greater Bay Area and California. Please call us today to schedule a preliminary meeting. Our services are offered in multiple languages during day and evening hours, 7 days per week. Compassionate and dedicated, our clinicians will provide you with care sensitive and responsive to your needs.

510-394-5065
admin@gratefulhearttherapy.org

MAILING ADDRESS
360 Grand Avenue, #46
Oakland, CA  94610

TIN: 20-5284226
NPI: 1942650239

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Internships

We offer a supportive private practice internship program, allowing pre-licensed clinicians (AMFT/ASW/APCC) to earn an income, accrue hours towards licensure and develop the clinical and entrepreneurial skills required for success in private practice. During the Coronavirus pandemic, we are continuing to accept new associates, helping them to launch practices as teletherapists. We also occasionally accept newly licensed clinicians, helping them to launch their private practice careers.

Services

In response to the Coronavirus, we now focus on providing teletherapy (therapy by phone and video) to our clients. Teletherapy can be helpful to individuals of all ages, including children and teenagers. Couples and families can also benefit from the convenience, flexibility and effectiveness of teletherapy. Please call or write us today to learn more about our services.

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Grateful Heart Holistic Therapy Center is a 501(c) nonprofit organization providing psychotherapy services for children, teens, adults, couples, families and groups, internships for pre-licensed MFT/LPCC clinicians
and educational opportunities for mental health practitioners.