FAQs + Resources — Christina Boyd, LMFT

FAQs

How much will therapy cost?

My fee is $160 for a 50-minute session, and $210 for a 75-minute session. I have a limited number of sliding scale openings for those in financial need. In IL I am in-network with BCBS, United, and Aetna. In CA I am currently an out-of-network provider, but I am able to provide an itemized invoice to submit to insurance companies for reimbursement. In compliance with the No Surprises Act, I provide Good Faith Estimates to all clients.

What is a Good Faith Estimate?

Under the law, health care providers need to give clients who aren’t using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service, or at any time during treatment. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. More information can be found here.

What happens when I contact you?

I will respond to your email or voicemail within 2 business days, letting you know what my availability is for new clients. We can then schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation so that I can hear more about what you’re looking for and we can determine if we are the right fit. If we decide to work together, I will send you the initial paperwork and we can schedule an appointment to meet on a secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform.

Can we meet in person?

I can provide therapy to anyone residing in the states of California and Illinois. I currently live in Chicago, and am unable to provide in-person sessions to clients in California. I will soon be opening a Chicago office in which I will be able to meet with clients in person. Although meeting online usually provides the same benefits as meeting in person, not everyone is a good fit for teletherapy. When we meet initially we can assess whether your needs would be better met by someone who can meet with you face-to-face.

What happens in therapy?

It varies! Generally, therapy is a designated time every week that is devoted to your healing, growth, and self-discovery. Some people come in with clear goals for short-term symptom relief, others desire a long term therapeutic relationship. Either way, we will collaboratively identify your strengths and resources, and work towards feeling better.

How often will we meet?

I find that people make more progress and therapy has a deeper impact with weekly sessions. Initially, we will meet once per week or more depending on your needs, in order to establish a relationship and a sense of safety and continuity. Once we have been meeting for a few months, we may reassess your needs and determine whether or not meeting less frequently is appropriate.