simple as possible
Making the decision to seek therapy can be difficult and finding the right therapist with whom you can truly form a therapeutic alliance may take additional time. As research indicates that the most important factor in psychotherapy may be the alliance between client and therapist, it makes sense that any individual or couple – whether heterosexual, LGBTQ+, married / unmarried – would reflect heavily on this aspect of their search.
Professionals from the arts (actors, writers, musicians), entertainment (directors, executives, producers), real estate (agents, developers), academic (educators, researchers, students), medical (doctors, nurses, clinicians), technology (start-ups, FB, SC, google) sectors, as well as entrepreneurs of all types – their loved ones, spouses, significant others, family members, friends – are just some examples of the people worked with since prior to 2010.
- Individual Counseling
- Couples/Marriage Counseling
- Anxiety & Depression
- ADHD - including Coaching
- Grief/Bereavement
- Life Transitions
- Men’s Issues
- Sexual/Intimacy Issues
- Professional Consultations
What To Expect
When you call, it is because you are experiencing distress. You may feel anxious, depressed, or incrediblyoverwhelmed. With that being the case, perhaps this message might help to give an idea about how this initial process works and what to expect.
A phone consultation helps us figure outwhether we may be a solid fit for working together as therapist and client(s). Calls that flow more freely are a good sign. It feels organic; fluid; easy.
The first session is simply focused on talking a bit more about the reasons you are here. No pressure to get to everything – all in good time. I want you to feel as comfortable as possible for us to chat openly.
The second session dovetails off the first: I am curious to know what “stuck with you,” what resonated, and maybe even what already seems an improvement. By this point you may have an answer to the question, “If therapy works, what will you be feeling, thinking, doing as indication that therapy is or was a success?” Answers direct the discussions.
Therapy in Los Angeles for Individuals and Couples
Michael Nee, M.A., CST, LMFT (#89379) is a therapist in Los Angeles. He works with individuals and couples. The office is on West Washington Boulevard, and telehealth is available anywhere in California.
Sessions are 50 minutes. Consultations are free, and they run 15 to 40 minutes. In addition, evening appointments are available Monday through Thursday until 20:00.
Why people come here
Some people arrive with a clear question. Others simply know that something has stopped working. Both are good starting points.
Common reasons include adult ADHD, anxiety, and depression. Others come for grief, a life transition, or chronic illness. Couples usually come because the same argument keeps repeating, so couples therapy is where that work begins.
Sex and intimacy are also discussed here directly. Michael is a certified sex therapist, and he has been an AASECT member since 2021. Therefore sex therapy is part of the practice rather than a referral elsewhere.
Where the office is, and how to start
The office is in Mar Vista, near the Culver City line. As a result, it is a short drive from Marina del Rey, Venice, and Santa Monica. Street parking is usually available outside.
However, travel is not required. Online therapy covers the whole state, and many clients alternate between the two. To begin, call (310) 927-1755 or use the contact page.
Practical details
Here are the practical details in short form.
Sessions last 50 minutes. Most people start weekly. The consultation call covers fees, so there are no surprises later.
The practice is out of network. However, a superbill covers PPO reimbursement. In addition, the FAQ page lists the questions to ask your insurer first.
Appointments run Monday through Thursday. The last slot starts at 20:00. Therefore evening sessions are possible after work.
Finally, nothing here requires a long commitment. Some people come for eight sessions. Others stay a year. Both are normal.
Contact me (email or call) for a consultation by phone. We can gauge if we are a ‘right fit’ for one another. Consultations are anywhere between 15-40 minutes in order to establish key facts and determine next steps.
For you to avoid a fee for the session cost, I require a 36-hour notice before canceling your session. Automated reminders are sent out 48-hours prior to session. Exceptions do apply; for instance, we all have emergencies or illnesses from time to time.
I am not a participating provider in any insurance network but can operate as an out-of-network provider. However, HMO policies do not reimburse for outside services.
Most insurance policies reimburse a good portion of the fee for out-of-network mental health services. Before sessions start, you may want to call the telephone number on your insurance card listed for Behavioral Health and ask the following questions:
- Is there a deductible for out-of-network providers for my individual/family policy?
- What percentage of the psychotherapy cost is covered for out-of-network providers?
- Is there a cap on reimbursement for services, or on number of sessions per year?
- Is pre-authorization required?
When payment is made at the end of every session, I will provide you with a receipt that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, healthcare providers, and healthcare facilities are required to provide a Good Faith Estimate of standard charges for items and services to individuals who are not enrolled in a plan or coverage or a Federal healthcare program or not seeking to file a claim with their plan or coverage both orally and in writing, upon request or at the time of scheduling health care items and services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining how much your medical care will cost.
Under this law, healthcare providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, and hospital fees.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate or the dispute process, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call or call (800) 368-1019.
DISCLAIMERS
A Good Faith Estimate shows the costs of items and services that are reasonably expected for your health care needs for an item or service. The estimate is based on information known when the estimate was created.
The Good Faith Estimate does not include any unknown or unexpected costs that may arise during treatment. You could be charged more if complications or exceptional circumstances occur. Federal law allows you to dispute (appeal) the bill if this happens.
There may be additional items or services the convening provider or convening facility recommends as part of the course of care that must be scheduled or requested separately and is not reflected in the good faith estimate.
The information provided in the good faith Estimate is only an estimate, and that actual items, services, or charges may differ from the Good Faith Estimate.
The Good Faith Estimate is not a contract. It does not require the uninsured (or self-pay) individual to obtain the items or services from any providers or facilities identified in Good Faith Estimate. You can dispute the bill if you are billed for more than this Good Faith Estimate. You may contact the health care provider or facility listed to let them know the billed charges are higher than the Good Faith Estimate.
You can ask them to update the bill to match the Good Faith Estimate, ask to negotiate the bill or ask if there is financial assistance available.
You may also start a dispute resolution process with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). If you choose to use the dispute resolution process, you must start the dispute process within 120 calendar days (about 4 months) of the date on the original bill. There is a $25 fee to use the dispute process.
If the agency reviewing your dispute agrees, you will have to pay the price on this Good Faith Estimate. You will have to pay a higher amount if the agency disagrees with you and agrees with the health care provider or facility.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. To learn more and get a form to start the process, go to www.cms.gov/nosurprises. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate or the dispute process, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call (800) 368-1019.
