What is a clinical psychologist and how is that different from other therapists?

You may be wondering “What advantages are there in working with a psychologist vs. a masters-level therapist?” Psychologist training is certainly more rigorous (additional 2-4 years of academics and training plus a research dissertation) which has allowed us to learn and master more ways to understand and intervene with a wide variety of challenges. We are able to administer and understand psychological tests for measures such as intelligence, academic ability, and personality as well as teach college-level courses and supervise doctoral-level clinicians (though these services are not offered here). We are also trained in evidence-based practices and more equipped to understand the scientific research behind why certain interventions work. The word “clinical” simply means that challenges can range up to hospital severity but this is often not the case.

What are your fees?

The initial exchanges through text and e-mail are FREE for you to ask any questions to determine if we are a good fit for your needs. The online informed consent will outline the hourly rate.

We accept payment via debit card, HSA, or credit card through Ivy Pay (a HIPPA-compliant app to protect your information from third-party organizations). A text message will prompt you to enter your financial information once and future charges will occur after each appointment.

If you are interested in hiring Dr. Timothy Yen for public speaking, consultation, or training engagements, rates will differ based on the project.

How effective is telehealth therapy?

Due to the COVID-19 shutdown in March 2021, many providers got creative in how they delivered their counseling services. As it turns out, telehealth is very effective in addressing the majority of counseling issues. You can read more from the American Psychological Association (APA) on their research-based views on telehealth in “How well is telepsychology working?” and “Telehealth proves its worth.” You can also read my blog titled “Is online counseling right for me?” for more information.

Do you work with insurance?

We are an out-of-network provider which means that we are not on any insurance panels and therefore do not bill services directly to your insurance carrier.  However, many clients are eligible for reimbursement of services through medical insurance plans (on average 40%-90% of their bill) or Healthcare Spending Accounts.  We advise that you contact your insurance carrier directly to find out what psychological/behavioral health services are eligible for reimbursement. We can provide a superbill to assist in your claim upon request.

What if I cannot afford your fee?

Please do not let our fees discourage you from contacting us. We will do our best to come up with an acceptable arrangement. We have a variety of solutions at different price points to meet your needs. Please reach out and we can discuss it further.