Question 1

What kinds of relationships do you work with?

Accepted Answer

Couples, co-parents, families, close friends, and co-founders. All relationship structures and configurations welcome.

Question 2

Do you work with couples who are unsure whether to stay together?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The goal is clarity and honest reflection, not steering toward any particular outcome.

Question 3

Do you work with non-monogamous couples?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I work across relationship structures.

Question 4

How long are couples sessions?

Accepted Answer

Couples sessions are 75 minutes, 90 minutes, and longer intensive sessions of 3 hours, half day, and full day, and multi-day sessions are available.

Question 5

Do you offer relationship intensives?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Half-day, full-day, and multi-day formats available in person or virtually.

Question 6

What kinds of issues do you work with in individual therapy?

Accepted Answer

Anxiety, burnout, high-functioning depression, grief, trauma, major life transitions, ADHD, autism, TBI, ABI, caregiver support, and the exhaustion that comes from being someone who holds a lot together for everyone else.

Question 7

Do you offer virtual therapy in California?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Virtual sessions for anyone in California. In-person in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles area.

Question 8

How do I know if I need therapy or coaching?

Accepted Answer

Therapy goes deeper. If something keeps coming up no matter what you try, or if you feel stuck in a way willpower has not shifted, therapy is usually the right fit.

Question 9

Do you work with ADHD or neurodivergent adults?

Accepted Answer

Yes -- neurospicy people including those with ADHD, autism, or both, including late diagnosis. Collaborative, body-aware, genuinely attuned approach.

Question 10

What does a first session look like?

Accepted Answer

Free 20-minute consultation first, then a 50-minute intake. No pressure to have a perfectly articulated answer.

Question 11

Are you in-network with insurance?

Accepted Answer

Currently In-network with Aetna. Out-of-network for all other insurances. Monthly superbill statements provided for PPO, HSA, FSA reimbursement.

Question 12

Can AI replace therapy?

Accepted Answer

AI can produce responses that sound empathetic. That is not the same as therapy. The therapist-client relationship is the mechanism of change -- not a feature. Those relational patterns show up in the room, in real time. AI cannot be in relationship with you, hold a rupture, or offer you the experience of being genuinely known by another human being.

Question 13

What is your fee, and how does investing in therapy with you work?

Accepted Answer

My fee reflects the depth of clinical training behind the work and a genuine commitment to your growth over time. I am an out-of-network provider. I provide monthly superbill statements for PPO, HSA, or FSA reimbursement. For clients who stay and do the real work, the returns compound -- in clarity, in relationships, in leadership, in quality of daily life. Please reach out for a consultation call to discuss rates for your needs.

Question 14

Consultation

Accepted Answer

Aliss offers a complimentary 20 minute phone consultation to discuss your needs and for us to explore how you would work together.

Question 15

Intake Session

Accepted Answer

The first session together is a therapy Intake Session, 50-minutes for Individuals, and 75-minutes for Couples/Families, and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy clients. The time will be focused on a deeper understanding of what you are bringing into therapy, your background, therapy goals and beginning the therapeutic process together.

Question 16

Therapy Schedule

Accepted Answer

Total duration of therapy is unique for every client, their specific evolving needs, and personal process. Weekly Individual Therapy sessions are 50 minutes, unless otherwise arranged.  Couples and Family Therapy sessions are 75 minutes, 90 minutes, or longer. Group Therapy Sessions are 90 minutes. Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy sessions range from 50 minute preparatory/integration sessions to 3.5 hour Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy sessions.

Question 17

Fees

Accepted Answer

Please schedule a consultation to discuss your specific needs and to determine your session fee.

Question 18

"Good Faith Estimate"

Accepted Answer

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost based on your session fee and an estimated duration of therapy over the course of a year. Under the 2021 No Surprises Act, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical services, including psychotherapy.

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency services.

Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.
 If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.

Make sure to save a copy or take a picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

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

Question 19

Insurance

Accepted Answer

Aliss is an out of network provider. She is able to provide a monthly super bill statement for you to submit to your insurance company or HSA/FSA for reimbursement.  She can also support in filing your PPO claim forms. Please check with your PPO insurance/HSA/FSA provider to determine your coverage for Individual/Couple/Group psychotherapy with an out-of-network provider.

Some questions you may want to ask your insurance:

Do I have mental health/behavioral health insurance benefits? 
Am I covered for an out-of-network provider? 
What is my deductible and has it been met? 
How many sessions per year does my health insurance cover? 
What is the coverage amount per therapy session? 
Is approval required from my primary care physician?
Are "telehealth" visits (phone and video/Zoom sessions) covered in addition to face-to-face visits?  Not all insurance companies cover telehealth visits. Some insurance providers previously honoring telehealth during COVID may be changing their policies and may reimburse less or not at all for telehealth as COVID restrictions ease. It is your responsibility to find out what your policy covers and any changes they make along the way that affect your reimbursement.

Question 20

Reschedule/Cancellation Policy

Accepted Answer

If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please let Aliss know at least 48 hours in advance of your scheduled session time. Otherwise, your account will be charged the full session fee.

Question 21

Disclaimers

Accepted Answer

Duration of therapy: It is difficult to estimate the length of psychotherapy because each person's situation is unique. You and your therapist will work together to determine how long your counseling will last. Some concerns can be resolved in a short period of time; others can take longer. There is no limit to the number of sessions you may receive.

The Tamura Method is not a requirement of conducting Psychotherapy together. Non-sexual touch, "Conscious Energetic Touch",  may be offered as part of psychotherapy. Sexual touch of clients by therapists is unethical and illegal. Your therapist will ask your permission before touching you, and you have the right to decline or refuse to be touched without any fear or concern about reprisal. Touch can be very beneficial but can also unexpectedly evoke emotions, thoughts, physical reactions or memories that may be upsetting, depressing, evoke anger, etc. Sharing and processing such feelings with the therapist, if they arise, may be a helpful part of therapy. You may request not to be touched at any time during therapy without needing to explain it, if you choose not to, and without fear of punishment. All touch will be fully clothed..

Aliss Ching Chieh Wang, Bay Area Gestalt Institute, The Couples Center, and all affiliates do not condone or encourage any illegal behaviors or actions, including the use of psychoactive medicines and mind-altering substances. If you choose to partake we encourage safety and awareness.

Frequently asked questions & policies