FAQs
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FAQs *
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I provide psychotherapeutic services to teens, adults, and their families.
Throughout my career I have had the honor of working closely with Immigrant, First Generation American, Second Generation American, Third Culture, Refugee, Queer, Latine and Post-IOP teens, adults and their families. I have extensive experience working with clients of mixed-identities (in neurotype, race, ethnicity, health status, orientations, etc.) and doing long-term relational trauma work with teens and adults, in both Spanish and English.
I am passionate about supporting Queer clientele, particularly Queer clients in the diaspora, navigate identity exploration and development, life adjustments, embodiment of intersecting identities, coping with grief and loss, emotional dysregulation, histories of trauma or abuse, suicidal ideation and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI).
Curious if Portal Psychotherapy would be a good fit? Click here to schedule a free 15 minute consultation. We’ll get to know each other a little bit, discuss what services you are looking for and I can answers any clarifying questions you may have.
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Yes!
I take a variety of insurances for Maryland and Pennsylvania residents: Oscar (Optum), Oxford (Optum), Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey, Independence Blue Cross Pennsylvania, Aetna, Quest Behavioral Health, Anthem EAP, Cigna, Carelon Behavioral Health
MD only: Sentara Health Plans, Kaiser Permanente of the Mid Atlantic, Ascension (SmartHealth) and Maryland Medicaid from specific referral sources.
PA only: The Health Plan, United Healthcare (Optum), Geisinger, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Pennsylvania, Capital Blue Cross Pennsylvania
Please use this here to confirm insurances carried.
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Yes, a limited portion of my caseload is reserved for sliding scale services for BIPOC clientele and those who would experience financial hardship without a reduced fee, or sliding scale rate.
Sliding scales work when people are honest and accountable about their financial situations. Please review The Green Bottle: Where You Fall on the Sliding Scaleby Alexis J. Cunningfolk, Warts & Cunning Apothecary to examine your resources and economic situation on a scale beyond simply income.
Please send an email to hello@portalpsych.com for more information.
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You may cancel appointments in advance free of charge, as long as I receive notice 24 HOURS in advance.
For appointment no-shows or last-minute cancellations, you will be charged a fee. Please try to contact me a soon as possible if you cannot make you appointment as your slot is a time commitment made to you and is held exclusively for you.
Email reminders with your teletherapy links are sent to you 48hrs (2 days) prior to your scheduled appointment. I also suggest you to set up your own reminders in your personal calendar.
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That really depends on you. Portal Psychotherapy believes in person-centered care planning using a trauma-informed, culturally grounded, and relational therapeutic approach.
Each insurance carrier has different timelines for documentation but our initial sessions are focused on getting to know each other, establishing expectations (from both of us) and nailing down your goals. This is also a time for all parts of you to get to know me!
Above all, our sessions move at the speed of safety and consent.
Email reminders with our teletherapy links are sent to you 48hrs (2 days) prior to our scheduled appointments, and again 10 minutes before our scheduled appointment. I also suggest you to set up your own reminders in your personal calendar.
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All I ask is that you make sure you are in a safe and secure environment where you feel comfortable speaking openly.
Please check your connection so we may avoid any hiccups during our teletherapy session. Get comfortable! You are welcome to eat during our sessions and I encourage you to take a minute before we meet to check-in on what you may need the most that day. Again, our work together goes at the speed of safety and consent.
Together, we’ll work toward greater clarity, resilience, and authentic embodiment.
Click view my Notice of Privacy Practices. This includes “Patient Rights.”
You have the right to a Good Faith Estimate under the No Surprises Act. The No Surprises Act (H.R. 133), requires that health care providers provide an estimate of the bill for any medical items or services, to “clients or patients” (participants) who do not have insurance, who are not using insurance, nor are requiring a superbill to submit to their insurance. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services which shows the costs of items and services that are reasonably expected for your health care needs for an item or service. The estimate is based on information known at the time the estimate was created.

