When Are You Available?
My office hours are flexible. I am in my Rancho Santa Margarita office except Fridays. Call me on my cell phone for confidential easy access and appointment making. Cell (949) 636-7529 or e-mail james.sanders@cox.net. Your communication with me is strictly confidential as I do not have a secretary or answering service.What can I expect on the first appt?
If you have not been to a therapist before, you may be a bit nervous. That is natural. As mentioned, I want to help you feel safe and cared for. I will listen and ask a few questions to help you explain your thoughts, feelings, questions, wants, and hopes. If you want we will plan a second 50 minute session and we will go from there with a solution oriented focus depending on your goals. I do want your feedback so I can best tailor my help for you.How long does therapy last?
You will make that decision. We can discuss it and I may give some suggestions. Yet you are the decision maker for yourself. At the conclusion of therapy, know that my door will be open for you when and if you desire to return in the future.What about insurance?
If you pay privately, it is all confidential. I am a contracted preferred provider for AETNA PPO, Open Access, Choice, NAP, and I will do that billing with your co-pay. That being said, therapy is the relationship between you and me. I strictly respect your privacy and confidentiality. For that reason I do not have a secretary, billing person, answering service or desire to confess to an insurance company about your situation and progress. It is your insurance and that is your relationship. If you desire, I will give you a bill (receipt/superbill) for your payment to me that you can submit directly to your insurance company, other than AETNA. My bill to submit to your insurance company if you chose will include a diagnosis, a date and fees paid. In order to get paid, a claim (bill) must include a diagnosis. It is the same as car insurance in many ways. I prefer and hope you to be in charge of your therapy instead of an insurance company policy while it last. If I dealt with your insurance company, they would have access to my records of your issues and payment would depend on their discretion. So, outside of AETNA, your payment is confidential.What are your fees?
It has been said that mental health dictates physical health and both are priceless.My fee is $150 a 50-60 minute session in the office. Phone calls and emails are complimentary yet kept to a reasonable time.