Christy Garcia, LMFT

Trauma Therapist in San Diego, CA

FAQ

What types of clients do you work with?

My areas of expertise include anxious teensfaith-based therapy, and trauma/PTSD.

What is the length and frequency of our sessions?

My standard sessions are 45-50 minutes. During the active phase of therapy, we will meet on a regular, weekly basis. Depending on your circumstances and the nature of your issues or distress, I may recommend more frequent sessions such as twice a week.

How much is the session fee?  

$175 | 50-minute session

Do you bill insurance?

I am an out-of-network provider and do not bill insurance directly. If you have a PPO plan, I am able to assist you in seeking partial reimbursement for services. Click here to learn more about the difference between in-network and out-of-network providers. Please feel free to reach out if you have more questions.

Do you offer a sliding scale?

Yes, I reserve a few slots of my caseload for sliding scale clients whose insurance doesn’t cover out-of-network services. The sliding scale fee is based on your gross annual household income. We can talk more about whether your qualify for the sliding scale during your free phone consultation.

Do you offer in-person therapy?

Yes! My office is located in Eastlake, Chula Vista, just up the street from the Target and Kohl’s shopping centers.

Do you offer online sessions?

Absolutely. Telehealth (online video) appointments are available for anyone who is currently a resident of California. Telehealth appointments are scheduled through my secure client portal. You can easily access your online appointment through any device whether laptop, tablet, or cell phone that has a working camera and microphone. Please let me know if you would prefer an online session when we schedule your first appointment.

What’s the difference between online and in-person therapy? Which one is better?

The main difference between online and in-person therapy is missing out on what we clinicians refer to as “in the room” experiences. There’s something powerful about being “in the room” with someone else in the midst of their pain and holding space for that person. Additionally, therapists are able to pick up on subtleties in mannerisms and body language which can be clues into a person’s inner angst (eg. shaking the knee, wringing of the hands, change in muscle tone, etc). Some of these subtleties can be lost in translations through online communication. Additionally, there can be glitches and technical difficulties which can be frustrating and serve to distract from an online session. On the flip side, online therapy offers many new conveniences that in-person therapy will never be able to such as greater flexibility with scheduling. Clients can make progress through either modality. It comes down to preference and comfort level. Maybe I’m “old school” in that I encourage everyone to at least give in-person therapy a try. Trust me, it will be worth it!

Where do I park?

You may park in any unmarked parking spot. 

Good Faith Estimate

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost.

Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not 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.

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 picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

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

Schedule an Appointment

If you’d like to learn more about working with me, click here to request your free, 15-minute phone consultation for therapy in San Diego to see if I might be a good fit for your needs. I’d love to talk with you and answer any questions you have before scheduling your initial session!

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