FAQs

Yes! The intake process starts with a free phone consultation that lasts approximately 10-20 minutes.
This allows us time to get to know each other and answer any questions you have about starting
therapy.

All cancellations must be made at least 24 hours prior to the appointment time for no charge. Any late
cancellations in less than 24 hour notice and no shows will be charged at the full rate.

Following the intake, every session thereafter will be 55 minutes. Therapy is tailored to each individual’s
needs, the presenting issue, and your short- and long-term goals. Together we will collaborate on how
these goals can best be met. Due to the inability to predict your journey of growth and healing,
determining the duration of treatment is ethically impossible.

Just yourself! All important information including forms, payment, etc. is collected through an online
client portal prior to your first appointment.

At this time, I cannot accept insurance. I am an Out-of-Network Provider, and do not hold a contract
with any insurance carriers.
Out-of-Network providers are paid directly by the client. Clients can submit claims and request for
reimbursement to their insurance carriers after services have been rendered.

• There are no restrictions on how many sessions per year or how often you get to see your therapist
• There are no restrictions on telehealth/ online therapy
• There is no need to change your therapist if your employment changes and affects your insurance plan
• There is no need to share your mental health information with insurance companies
• You have the freedom to choose a therapist who can be the best fit for you, instead of being limited to
  therapists who are in network of your insurance

Private pay therapy offers increased privacy, flexibility, and control over your mental health care. When using insurance, a mental health diagnosis and treatment information are typically required for billing and become part of your medical record within insurance systems. Choosing private pay allows you to seek therapy without submitting claims to an insurance company, which means fewer outside entities have access to your mental health information. Some people prefer this option to maintain greater confidentiality and limit documentation that could be accessed through insurance-related systems, particularly when considering certain career paths or future applications where medical record disclosures may be relevant. Private pay also allows for more flexibility in treatment, including session frequency, length of care, and therapeutic focus, without the limitations or authorization requirements of insurance. Overall, it supports a more personalized, private, and client-directed therapeutic experience.

Many private insurances (e.g. United, Premera, Cigna, Aetna, etc.) will reimburse you for mental health
treatment if you provide a Superbill (provided upon request).

1) Call your insurance provider (the number on the back of your insurance card) to confirm this option.
Please note, I cannot guarantee you will be reimbursed.

2) Obtain a Superbill from your therapist. (A Superbill is a receipt for behavioral health services. This is
used to help clients get reimbursement for services by their insurance.)

When you ask your therapist for a Superbill and share it with your insurance company, know that you
are disclosing Personal Health Information (PHI) such as a diagnostic code. Please review privacy
practices with your insurance carrier if you would like to understand how they manage PHI.

3) Once you submit your claim to your insurance company, your reimbursement will depend on your
Insurance carrier’s policy. The amount is based on your insurance carrier and the plan you hold.
Typically, the insurance company will mail you a physical check.

• Do I have out-of-network coverage for outpatient mental health services?
• What is my annual deductible and has it been met?
• What is the coverage for before and after I reach my deductible
• Do my expenses with out-of-network providers count toward the deductible?
• Is telehealth/ online therapy covered by my out-of-network benefits?
• What is the reimbursement rate for out-of-network providers?
• What is the specific percentage or dollar amount coverage for out-of-network outpatient mental health
  services? You can use the CPT code 90791 for intake and 90834 or 90837 for ongoing sessions to check
  the specific coverage.
• What information do you need for me to submit for out-of-network reimbursement?
• Do you need a referral to see Out-of-Network providers? If so, where can I get a referral?
• How many sessions per calendar year do you cover?

Blackbird Behavioral Health uses two methods of secure, HIPAA compliant, online-based payment
systems. One is directly through Simple Practice (a clinical notes application), the other is through
Square. This means that we never have to handle your card, instead you can enter your payment
information through one of these methods and it will be stored for future sessions.

Please contact me for discounted rates by specifying this interest. I have allotted a limited number of spots for this offering. The price varies determined by financial need. For those experiencing financial hardship, please refer to the resources page. If you started therapy with me and can no longer afford to keep seeing me for the full rate, please talk to me to discuss options so we can come up with a plan that fits your needs. Some likely options might be:

1. You and I agree to a reduced fee for a limited period of time.
2. You and I spend the next few months thoughtfully transitioning you to another therapist who is in-network with your insurance company.

Blackbird Behavioral Health operates out of WA State utilizing telehealth/ or in-person services. The
physical office location is 11416 Slater Ave Suite 100F NE, Kirkland.

All telehealth will be done via Zoom. You will need a device with a camera (a computer or laptop with a
webcam, tablet, or smartphone), internet connection that is at least 10mbps, and Zoom app.

There are benefits to each! Telehealth increases access to care. With the ability to do therapy in the
comfort of your home, you don’t have to worry about a commute to your appointment or waiting in an
office. Less time is taken out of your day. In-person sessions provide an experience without some of the
barriers that telehealth can have (e.g. internet interruptions, technical issues, struggles with
technology). It really depends on your own unique needs!

All information shared in sessions are kept completely confidential. Only incidents of health and safety
are when confidentiality cannot be maintained. This is to keep you and those around you safe. The
Zoom platform used in telehealth is 100% HIPAA compliant. Other programs such as FaceTime and
Skype are not HIPAA compliant.

For licensed mental health professionals, confidentiality is protected by state laws and the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Therapists who break confidentiality can get in trouble with state licensing boards. They can also be sued by their clients in some cases. BBH ensures
client confidentiality by:

• -Not leaving revealing information on voicemail or text.
• Not acknowledging to outside parties that a client has an appointment.
• Not discussing the contents of therapy with a third party without the explicit permission of the client.

Legal exceptions to breaking confidentiality:

• -When a client is a threat to themself or others, in which case a therapist must notify the person in
  danger or notify someone who can keep the client safe. It is important to note that a therapist will not
  automatically break confidentiality if a client reports thoughts about suicide. Typically, a client needs to
  state an intent to act on those thoughts and have a specific suicide plan before hospitalization is
  considered. An individual will not be hospitalized against their will for simply seeking help.
• -If the therapist has reasonable suspicion that a child or disabled person is being abused. As a mandated
  reporter, they have a legal duty to report their suspicions to authorities.
• -In rare cases, therapists can be forced to testify against their clients through a subpoena. However, it is
  much more difficult to force a therapist to testify than it is to force a non-licensed mental health
  professional. Laws governing therapists are much stricter about confidentiality.