FAQ
Below are some common questions about working together. This information is meant to help you feel informed and prepared, but it does not replace the detailed consent forms and agreements we’ll review together before beginning services. If your question isn’t listed, you’re welcome to reach out for clarification.
General Inquiries
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Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other. You and your clinician will talk about your background, what brings you in, and what you hope to gain from therapy or assessment. You’ll have plenty of space to ask questions and get a sense of whether working together feels like the right fit.
During this meeting, your clinician will also review how therapy or assessment works, your rights as a client, the limits of confidentiality, and the ways your information is protected. We’ll go over fees, scheduling, communication preferences, and—in some cases—telehealth options. You are welcome to continue, pause, or end services at any time, and if your needs would be better met elsewhere, we’re always happy to discuss referrals.
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Yes. We offer a complimentary 20-minute phone or video consultation for prospective clients. This brief conversation gives you a chance to share what you’re looking for—whether therapy, an assessment, or consultation—and to ask questions about our approach and availability. We’ll also touch on basic logistics such as scheduling, format, and fees so you can get a sense of whether working together feels like a good fit.
This consultation is informational only; it does not include clinical recommendations or establish a treatment relationship. Formal therapy or assessment begins only after you and your clinician decide to move forward, and the required consent forms are completed.
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No. We do not provide emergency or on-call crisis services. If you are in crisis or need immediate help, please call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), dial 911, or go to your nearest emergency department or crisis facility.
For non-urgent matters, you may leave a voicemail or send a secure message through the client portal. We will respond during regular business hours.
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Telehealth can be a convenient and flexible way to access care when meeting in person isn’t possible. California law requires psychologists to be licensed in California and to obtain informed consent before providing telehealth services. During our informed consent process, we will review the benefits and limitations of telehealth, including privacy considerations, technology requirements, and situations where in-person care may be more appropriate.
We provide telehealth only to clients who are physically located in California at the time of the session. We will also discuss how to handle any technical disruptions and what to do if connection issues arise. You may withhold or withdraw consent for telehealth at any point, and we can explore in-person options or referrals if needed. The same ethical and professional standards apply to telehealth as to in-person sessions.
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We work with adults only (ages 18+). Therapy sessions are held in-person at our San Francisco office: 490 Post Street, Suite 939, San Francisco, CA 94102. Telehealth may be available for established clients who are physically located in California at the time of the session, when clinically appropriate. Psychological assessments typically include at least one in-person visit to ensure accuracy and validity of testing.
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Email—and, when used, text messaging—is reserved for simple logistical matters such as scheduling, sending forms, or confirming appointments. These channels are not intended for clinical discussions, urgent concerns, or crisis-related communication. While we take reasonable precautions to protect your information, email and text are not fully secure, and confidentiality cannot be absolutely guaranteed.
Any therapeutic or sensitive topics are best discussed in session or through secure messaging in the client portal when appropriate. We do not provide clinical recommendations, crisis intervention, or ongoing therapeutic support via email or text. We also do not communicate with clients through social media or accept friend/follow requests. This helps protect your privacy and maintain clear therapeutic boundaries. We will review communication preferences and boundaries in more detail during the informed consent process.
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The best way to reach us is through the secure contact form on this website. You can also leave a confidential voicemail at (510) 343-5615 or email us at info@melanthahealth.com
Please note that voicemail and email are checked during business hours and are not intended for urgent or emergency situations.
Fees & Policies
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Rates vary by clinician and service. Current rates are listed on each clinician’s profile and are reviewed before scheduling.
Rates are subject to change and will always be confirmed before scheduling.
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Payment is generally due at the time of service. We accept major credit cards, FSA/HSA cards (if your plan allows mental health services), and electronic payment through our client portal.
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We are an out-of-network provider, which means we do not bill insurance directly. Many clients with PPO insurance are able to request partial reimbursement by submitting a superbill—an itemized receipt that we can provide upon request—to their insurance company. Because coverage varies significantly, it’s important to check with your insurer about your specific out-of-network benefits, including whether psychotherapy or psychological assessment is covered, whether preauthorization is required, and what portion of the fee they may reimburse after any deductible.
Regardless of your insurance coverage or reimbursement, you are responsible for the full fee at the time of service.
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No. Psychological services provided by a licensed psychologist are not subject to sales tax in California under current law.
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Yes. Under the federal No Surprises Act, clients who are paying out of pocket for services are entitled to receive a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges. You can request an estimate at any time before scheduling, and we will provide an outline of the typical costs associated with therapy or assessment services. This estimate is meant to help you plan ahead, though actual costs may vary depending on your goals, the frequency of sessions, and the length of treatment.
For more information about your rights under the No Surprises Act, you may visit the federal website at www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call CMS at 1-800-985-3059.
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We ask for at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Sessions that are missed or changed with less than 48 hours’ notice may be charged the full session fee. While we understand that unexpected situations do arise, this policy protects time reserved specifically for you and supports consistency in scheduling for all clients. If a serious emergency occurs, we can discuss the circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
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Your privacy is extremely important to us. We follow California state law, the American Psychological Association’s Ethics Code, and applicable federal privacy standards. All clinical records are stored in a secure, HIPAA-compliant electronic health record system. Information you share in therapy or assessment is confidential and will only be released with your written permission, unless disclosure is required or permitted by law.
Legal exceptions to confidentiality include situations involving serious and imminent risk of harm to yourself or others, suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elder, or dependent adult, or certain legal circumstances such as a valid court order. If we use telehealth or electronic communication, we take additional steps to protect your privacy, though no technology can ever be guaranteed completely secure. We will review the specific risks and limitations of electronic communication and telehealth during the informed consent process.
For more information about how your personal information is collected, used, or stored—including data submitted through the website contact form—please refer to the Privacy Policy linked on this site.
Connect With Melantha Health to Learn How We Can Help
Schedule your free call to ask us any questions you may have about our therapy, assessment, or consultation options.