Elizabeth Gessel, MFT

Insurance

I am not currently a covered provider under any insurance plans.

But something to consider...

FSAs (Flexible Spending Accounts) and HSAs (Healthcare Spending Accounts) permit you to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for health care expenses that are not covered by your insurance plan. When you sign up for an HSA or FSA you determine an amount that gets deducted out of your paycheck before taxes are taken out. This money then goes into a separate account. Once you incur expenses for health care (e.g., co-payments, acupuncture, contact lenses, or psychotherapy), you submit a claim to get reimbursed from that account. For example, let’s say you have to pay out of pocket $100 per psychotherapy session and you’re in a 25% tax bracket. Without theHSA or FSA you pay $100. If you use the money saved in your FSA you are in effect only paying $75 because you’re using money that has not been taxed. If you decide to see a therapist on an ongoing basis, this is a great way to save for your mental health care expenses. Also, statements for submission to HSAs and FSAs do not require a diagnosis nor can they request details of your therapy.

Fees

Fees are determined between you and me before therapy begins. Sessions are 50 minutes in length. Fees are due at the beginning of session. I accept cash, checks and major credit cards.

Upon request I will provide you with a statement that you can submit to your insurance company if you have out-of-network coverage. You may also submit the statement for reimbursement from your HSA or FSA as well. 

Please call my office for current fees and availability. 818-640-8356

Confidentiality

As your therapist I am legally bound to maintain confidentiality for you (subject to state laws). However, if you use insurance to pay for services, I am often required to disclose at a minimum your diagnosis and sometimes the details of treatment. Once this information leaves my office, neither you nor I have control over where this information goes, who sees it or what is done with it.

Basically, the trade-off is when you seek treatment through your insurance, you pay lower rates but have limitations regarding confidentiality, duration of therapy and choice of provider. Obtaining treatment outside of insurance coverage essentially ensures confidentiality and preserves your choice of provider and duration of treatment.

Please Note:

My Practice has closed as of 2021

If you are interested in pursuing depth therapy, you may consider junginla.org