FAQ

There are no wrong questions. But it helps to think about what brought you to therapy and what you are hoping to work on. If you have a preference for a specific modality (like CBT or psychodynamic), this is a great time to mention it. The consultation is really about getting a sense of whether we are a good fit for each other.

First, take a breath. The hardest part is already behind you.

Yes, we will cover the basics at the start: confidentiality, how scheduling works, and practice policies. That part is brief and straightforward.

But the real priority of the first session is you. We want to understand what brought you here, what has been weighing on you, and what you are hoping therapy can help with. There is no script and no pressure to share more than feels right. Some clients come in with a clear list of things they want to work on. Others sit down and say, “I don't even know where to start.” Both are completely fine.

You might feel nervous, relieved, tearful, or sit in silence for a moment while you figure out what to say. All of that is welcome here.

By the end of the session, you should feel like you were genuinely heard, like the person sitting across from you actually gets it, and like you have a clearer sense of what working together could look like. That is the goal. Everything else builds from there.

Then you have already done the hardest part by reaching out. It is completely natural to feel nervous, and we can absolutely explore that together. There is no wrong way to do therapy. Transparency and honesty are the foundation of the therapeutic relationship here at Untangled Path. And we promise, we will not only ask you “how does that make you feel.”

Each session lasts between 50 minutes and an hour, typically on a weekly basis. After one month of weekly sessions, bi-weekly sessions may be offered if it makes clinical sense for your journey. Many clients start weekly and transition to every other week over time. This is always a decision we make together.

Only a psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, or primary care doctor can prescribe medication. As your therapist, we can help provide referrals for a psychiatrist or offer guidance on how to find a prescribing provider. You can also contact your insurance company for a list of in-network prescribers.

We only use software platforms that are HIPAA-compliant. You can review Untangled Path Therapy's Notice of Practice Policies for additional information about how your personal health information is handled and protected.

From the comfort of your own home, or anywhere you have privacy, you will receive a link to join your session through a HIPAA-compliant platform called Simple Practice. You will be asked to download a free app for secure messaging and scheduling. Details are provided in the confirmation email when you book your first appointment.

At your scheduled session time, your therapist will log in and begin. If you have any difficulty connecting, you can reach out via the secure messaging feature in the app and we will help you get set up.

595 E Colorado Blvd, Suite 205, Pasadena, CA 91101. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Our current rates are:

• Individual therapy: $250 per session
• Couples therapy: $300 per session

We accept payment via credit card, debit card, FSA (Flexible Savings Account), and HSA (Health Savings Account).

We are currently in-network with Optum. For all other insurance plans, we operate as an out-of-network provider.

If you have a PPO plan with out-of-network benefits, your insurance may cover a portion of your session costs. We recommend checking with your insurance provider before we begin to understand your specific coverage. Please let us know during your consultation if you plan to use out-of-network benefits so we can help you prepare — you can also check your benefits below.

To make therapy more financially sustainable, we use a billing service called Thrizer to help simplify the out-of-network reimbursement process. Here is how it works:

• Before your first session, Thrizer will provide you with a clear breakdown of your out-of-network benefits so you know what to expect.
• After each session, Thrizer submits a claim to your insurance on your behalf.
• Any reimbursement from your insurance is deposited directly into your account.

This removes the burden of filing claims yourself and helps you get back whatever your plan covers without the paperwork. For more information, visit thrizer.com.

A superbill is a detailed receipt for therapy services that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. If you prefer to file claims on your own rather than using Thrizer, superbills can be provided upon request. We recommend discussing this prior to beginning sessions so we can set it up from the start.

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining how much your care will cost. Under federal law, healthcare providers are required to give patients who do not have insurance, or who are not using insurance, an estimate of expected charges for services, including therapy. You have the right to receive this estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services.

You can ask your provider for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your estimate, you can dispute it. Make sure to save a copy of your Good Faith Estimate.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit cms.gov/nosurprises.

Yes. What you share in session is confidential, with narrow legal exceptions — such as risk of serious harm to yourself or others, or suspected abuse of a child or dependent adult. Amalya will review these exceptions with you at the outset.

Amalya draws from CBT, ACT, DBT, and psychodynamic work, and uses the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy with couples. She blends approaches based on what each client needs rather than applying one method to everyone.

It depends entirely on your goals. Some people come in for short-term, focused work around a specific transition. Others stay longer for deeper insight-oriented work. Amalya will revisit your goals with you as you go.

No. Many clients come in because something feels off, not because they've been diagnosed with anything. Daily stress, burnout, life transitions, and relationship strain are all reasons enough.

Couples work requires both partners to participate. If your partner isn't ready, individual therapy can still be a productive place to work on the relationship from your side.

This practice is not a crisis service. If you're in immediate danger, call 911. If you're struggling with thoughts of suicide or self-harm, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.