Frequently Asked Questions
General Inquiries, Booking & New Patient Inquiries, Our Therapy Services and Approaches
General FAQs
Insurance & Cost
Do you take insurance?
- We all love using our insurance; however, we do not take insurance at Estes Therapy. We provide our clients with a superbill (a receipt with a certain coding and diagnosis), so you can submit it to your insurance company. Some insurance reimburse and some do not. It really depends on your insurance policy. Give them a call and ask if they will reimburse you or put it towards your deductible.
How much does therapy cost?
- Estes Therapy has multiple therapists available to best meet your needs – including your financial ability. However, the cost of therapy goes beyond the amount of money you are spending. With therapy, you are getting the tools and learning the skills you need to feel successful in yourself and your relationships. You are investing in yourself and your relationship; this will end up saving you money and heartache down the road. Each therapist has a fee on their information page (Meet the Team here). There are a limited number of sliding scale and low fee slots. These are offered with associate marriage and family therapists and associate professional clinical counselors only, not licensed therapists. You can call to ask about these.
Can I get reimbursed from Insurance?
- We provide a superbill to any client, couple or individual, who requests it. You can submit this superbill to your insurance for reimbursement. The reimbursement does not always cover the full cost of the session. Your insurance will let you know how much will be covered. We understand that finances are a big factor in deciding to start therapy. With that in mind, we have created a more in-depth description of superbills that you can read here. Additionally there are some benefits to cash-pay. With insurance, your company determines how many sessions will be covered based on your diagnosis. Not only do you not need to have a mental health diagnosis for therapy when you do cash pay, you also have more autonomy over your therapy and confidentiality. You get to chose how many sessions you have, and the frequency of those sessions. Furthermore, insurance companies can look over your records and therapy notes.
Act of Good Faith – total therapy estimate:
- You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers, including mental health, need to give patients who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for health services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. Don’t worry, we also go over all this in your first session!
- If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
Therapists
Where can I find information about the therapists?
- To learn more about our therapists, including their areas of expertise, specializations, and professional backgrounds, you can visit estestherapy.com/about/ where we provide detailed profiles for each therapist, including availability and costs. If you have specific preferences or questions, we can help match you with a therapist who best meets your needs. Let us know if there’s anything else you’d like to know!
How old is the Therapist?
- Thank you for your interest in our services. We understand that finding the right therapist is important, and while age may seem like a factor, what truly matters is the therapist’s training, experience, and approach to care. Our therapists are highly qualified and specialize in various therapeutic modalities to ensure they meet the diverse needs of our clients. We focus on matching clients with the right therapist based on their expertise, specializations, approach, and ability to build a supportive and effective therapeutic relationship.
What is a LMFT, LCSW, AMFT, and APCC
- Whichever initialism you chose, the therapists here at Estes Therapy are trained in, and can work with, many different populations and diagnoses. They can work with individuals, couples, families, groups, children, and teens! Our therapists view problems within the context of systems and relationships, and the greater context that individuals exist within. They also can work with a variety of issues, including depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, addiction, mood disorders, and so much more. All of our therapists have graduated from a Master’s program. Some even have their Doctoral degree!
- Here’s the short version of the differences.
- LMFT stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and LCSW stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. These titles indicate that a therapist is fully licensed, no longer in school, and no longer being overseen in their work. These therapists have their master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy or Social Work and have experienced literally thousands of required hours of training and clients to meet the State of California requirements to be licensed. They have also passed the final board exam in the state of California required to achieve licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist or a Clinical Social Worker.
- AMFT stands for Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. This title, previously called “intern,” signifies that your therapist is not yet licensed. An AMFT therapist still has hundreds to thousands of hours under their belt – you need at least 300-500 hours just to get your Marriage and Family Therapy Master’s degree. They receive weekly individual and group supervision. Basically, you get the minds of two therapists at the cost of one therapist! Not only do Associates have weekly supervision meetings, but they also attend trainings and learn while they work.
- APCC stands for Associate Professional Clinical Counselors. Similar to AMFTs, they have a Master’s degree (but in Clinical Mental Health Counseling), and are en route to becoming a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). They are required to spend 2-3 years in graduate school, where they accrue therapy experience. They also receive weekly supervision and attend trainings.
- Still have questions? Check out our blog post, Different Types of Therapists – Which one is right for me?
How do I find a therapist in San Diego
- Therapy, whether you are looking for an individual therapist or couples counseling, is not one size fits all. Just because a therapist isn’t the right fit does not mean therapy is not a good fit. We know it can be discouraging if you don’t feel like your therapist is a good fit, so we strongly encourage you to do some research beforehand. Think about what you are looking for – what are your therapy goals? Personal growth? Facing anxiety? Recovery from an eating disorder or improved body image? Grief counseling? Premarital counseling? Co-parenting? Improved communication? Familiarize yourself with some theoretical orientations to get an idea of what would work for you. For example, if you are seeking therapy to work through trauma, an EMDR therapist might be right for you.
- We are so lucky to have so much information at our fingertips thanks to the internet. Check out the websites of potential therapists and anywhere else they might appear (Instagram, newspapers, magazines, news segments, podcasts). It is important to remember therapy brings up emotions and can be uncomfortable. Look past your own anxiety and be open-minded to what the therapist has to offer. Sometimes going into counseling requires you to do some soul searching and take responsibility for your actions. We recommend giving it 5 sessions to see if your therapist is a good fit – at the minimum 3 sessions! This gives you time to get comfortable, get into the issues you want to address, and differentiate between feelings towards the topics and therapy from your feelings towards your therapist.
Offices
How do I read reviews for Estes Therapy?
- We never ask our clients for testimonials. However, sometimes clients will post on LinkedIn, Yelp, or Facebook about their experience with us. We also love getting thank you notes! But those we don’t share. In an effort to help you find the best fit for your therapy needs, we wanted to provide you a place to read real reviews from real people. You can read some of the testimonials we’ve received here: Estes Team Testimonials.
What are your hours?
- We have mornings, afternoons, evenings, and weekends available. The greatest part is we have their available sessions online so you can pick the time that works best for your schedule.
Who works on the weekends?
- We have Kate Nicholson available on Saturdays and Liz Barajas available on Sundays. You can book online here: estestherapy.janeapp.com
Where are you located?
- We currently have two offices, one in Mission Valley and one in Oceanside. We also offer online therapy sessions through COVID and beyond.
Other Resources
- Sometimes you aren’t ready to pull the trigger on starting therapy. We encourage you to have faith in yourself, put the effort in, and to take that jump. However, we also understand some people want additional guidance or self-help books and workbooks before getting started. We also encourage you to speak with your therapist to see what additional reading or activities will help you to get the most out of your time between sessions.
- You can find some of our additional resources here, and be sure to check out our blog here.
Booking & New Patient FAQs
New Patients
Do someone answer the phone? I’d like to talk to someone before scheduling.
- Yes! Our clinical administrator, Kianna Rodriguez, answers the phone from 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday. If she is on the phone, she will return your call as soon as she can. Many counseling practices don’t answer phones, but we do. Give us a call and ask as many questions as you want.
Do you respond to email requests?
- Yes! Unlike many therapy practices, we respond to emails every day to respond to potential new clients and current clients. Kianna, our clinical administrator, will connect with you via email and help you find the right therapist. She will answer any questions.
Are you taking on new clients?
- Yes, we are currently accepting new clients and can get you scheduled as early as this week. You have the option to either book your appointment online, or if you prefer, we can give you a call to set everything up. Just let us know which option you’d like, and we’ll take care of the rest!
- To utilize our online booking services, you can go here. estestherapy.janeapp.com It shows both of the offices availability.
- Main Mission Valley office online booking: estestherapy.janeapp.com/locations/mission-valley-office/book
- Oceanside Online Booking: estestherapy.janeapp.com/locations/oceanside-office/book
- Scheduling is easy – pick your therapist and time of appointment, and enter your credit card information. It is kept on file for your convenience or in the case of an unpaid balance, no-show, or late cancellation.
What is your process for establishing a relationship with a new client?
- Thank you for inquiring about our services at Estes Therapy! We aim to make the process of starting therapy as smooth as possible, whether you’re focusing on individual growth or working with a partner. It all begins with a free 10-minute matching call with our Care Coordinator, who will help take the guesswork out of choosing the right therapist for you. Once you’ve booked your first appointment, we will send you paperwork via your client portal. Completing this in advance ensures your session time is focused on you, not paperwork. For individual therapy, you’ll fill out an intake questionnaire, and for couples or marriage therapy, both partners will complete a separate Couples Questionnaire. Your first session will differ slightly from future ones. Your therapist will introduce you to the process, covering important topics like confidentiality, session structure, and expectations. This is also an ideal time to ask any questions you may have about therapy. Together, you’ll discuss how often you’ll meet and set the stage for moving forward with your therapy journey. We’re here to support you every step of the way!
How many sessions does it typically take?
- Great question. The number of therapy sessions needed can vary widely depending on what you are dealing with, the goals of counseling sessions, and the various stressors (such as trauma, affairs, etc). Some people may find significant benefits in just a few sessions, while others might engage in longer-term therapy. Since a therapist hasn’t assessed your current situation, we can’t give you an answer. Your therapist will work with you to determine the best approach and tailor the process to fit your needs. If you have more specific concerns or want to discuss this further, leave your phone number and we will give you a call!
Do you offer weekend appointments?
- Yes. We offer weekend appointments with a variety of therapists. We want you to be able to see someone when the time best fits.
What can I expect in a therapy session?
- Therapy sessions are 50 minutes long for individual, couples, and family counseling. Longer sessions are available, but pricing and availability are personalized to each therapist. After you have booked your first appointment, you will be sent paperwork through your portal to complete before your first session. This way you can complete the paperwork and not eat away at your session time. Every person will receive an intake questionnaire to fill out via your portal. For couples or marriage therapy, there will be a Couples Questionnaire for you both to fill out separately via your portal. Your first session will look a little different than the rest. During your first session, your therapist will get you acclimated to therapy – going over confidentiality, limitations, and what a typical session with them looks like. This is a great time to ask any questions you have. You will have time to discuss the frequency of your therapy sessions – once a week is standard. You can watch a video with AMFT Sarah O’Leary for a quick run-down on what your first few sessions will look like.
Do you offer in-person therapy? We don’t want virtual counseling.
- About 90% of all our counseling sessions are in-person, face-to-face, with your therapist. You can expect a nicely furnished office with a calming environment.
Therapy Options Available
Do you have online/telehealth/virtual Therapy?
- Yes. We offer therapy services virtually. You can be in the comfort of your own home (as long as you are in the state of California). https://estestherapy.com/services/online-therapy/
Who do you work with?
With a team of therapists working for Estes Therapy, there is no doubt you’ll be able to find a therapist who meets your needs. You can learn more about each therapist on their information page here. We have therapists who work with children, adolescents, and adults of all ages. Our therapists provide individual therapy, couples and marriage therapy (including premarital counseling), and family therapy.
We also offer therapy sessions in Spanish with Rina Podolsky, Erin Chan, and Liz Barajas, Korean with Young Ju, Portuguese with Jacob Munhoz, and Romanian with Dana Pasculescu. We encourage you to explore each therapist’s page to get an idea of their topics of focus. The experienced and compassionate therapists at Estes Therapy work with all kinds of issues – whether you are looking for guidance, working through trauma, working on repairing a relationship, or seeking help with self-exploration.
Here are just some of what we work with: Addiction, Affairs, Anxiety, Break-ups, Body Issues, Bullying, Communication, Confidence, Conflict, Resolution, Connection, Depression, Eating, Disorders, Fighting, Grief & Loss, Health & Illness, and LGBTQA+.
Do you work with families?
- Yes! We love our families and are here to help build stronger relationships.
Do you work with children and teens?
- Yes. We have a few different therapists that specialize in working with children and young teens. Check out our therapists here: https://estestherapy.com/services/child-and-teen-counseling/
Do you only work with couples?
- No. We work with individuals, couples, poly relationships, and families.
Do you have any LGBTQIA+/Queer/Gay therapists?
- Yes, we have therapists who identify as gay or queer. While we can’t disclose specific therapists’ identities, please know that our company is proudly gay-owned and committed to diversity. https://estestherapy.com/services/gay-lesbian/
Appointments
What is your cancellation policy? How long do I have to cancel or reschedule?
Do you offer free consults? Can I have a consult with the therapist?
- Unfortunately we do not offer consultations. However, we have taken the guesswork out of choosing your therapist. Our clinical care coordinator will spend time with you on the phone matching you with the right fit therapist. You can either call us or fill our contact form.
What is your lowest fee for counseling?
- San Diego is definitely expensive and we understand your question. We have limited low fee slots, so please give us a call and we can see if a spot is open. We currently have $135 sessions available with our newest therapist, Kate Nicholson. She is an associate MFT and available in the Mission Valley. You can book her online by clicking here estestherapy.janeapp.com
- Also, our counseling fees vary depending on the therapist, licensure, extent of their training and specialty, and the type of service provided.
What about my confidentiality?
Your privacy is one of our top priorities! Your records are stored in a HIPAA-compliant electronic health record (EHR) and telehealth sessions are conducted through secure, encrypted platforms to protect your privacy. Information shared in sessions is kept confidential and is not disclosed without your written consent. Exceptions to this are listed below.
For couples: Since the client is the relationship, if a secret is shared individually that may impact the relationship, your therapist cannot keep it from your partner. They will support you in bringing it into the next session.
For minors: We prioritize the client’s privacy to support open and honest communication. Caregivers can be involved in treatment when clinically appropriate and with the minor’s knowledge. Caregivers will be involved when there are safety concerns.
Limits to confidentiality: Therapists are required by law to break confidentiality in the following situations, including:
1. Suspected or reported child abuse, dependent adult abuse, or elder abuse
2. If there is a risk of serious harm to yourself or others
3. If records are required by a court order
Therapy Services Provided FAQs
Therapy Services Provided
What services do you offer? Estes Therapy offers a range of services to support your mental health and well-being. Our services include:
- Individual Therapy: Personalized counseling to address personal issues, mental health concerns, and personal growth.
- Couples Therapy: Support for couples to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen their relationship.
- Family Therapy: Assistance for families to navigate challenges, improve dynamics, and foster healthier relationships.
- Premarital Counseling: Guidance and support for couples preparing for marriage, focusing on communication, expectations, and relationship skills.
- Specialized Therapy: Tailored approaches for specific issues such as trauma, anxiety, depression, and LGBTQ+ concerns.
- Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy: A cutting-edge treatment combining ketamine with psychotherapy to address treatment-resistant depression and other mental health conditions.
Do you offer Affair therapy?
- Our therapists are trained in Attachment Injury Repair Model (AIRM) with Emotionally Focused Therapy training. These two trainings help clients repair affair and infidelity injuries with a model that works. Therapists are active with helping clients take the right step through healing.
Special Requests
Do you provide letters for court-ordered counseling sessions?
- Yes, we do! If you need a letter for court stating you have been in therapy, simply let us know.
Do you provide ESA Letters?
- We do not write letters for Emotional Support Animals. This website may be able to link you with a Licensed therapist that can provide an ESA letter for people in the local San Diego area: ezcareclinic.io/california-esa/emotional-support-animal-letter-in-san-diego/
Schedule an Appointment
Seeking a therapist can be the best thing you do not just for your relationship, but for yourself. If you are seeking compassionate, knowledgeable, and understanding professional help, we invite you to explore our services. We are here to help you make the most of your life.