張欣如　婚姻家庭治療師

Shinju Emmy Chang, MA, MFT

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
(Mandarin/ English)

Shinju Emmy Chang, MA, MFT
444 E Huntington Dr Ste 333
Arcadia, CA 91006
ph: (626) 236-2887
fax: (626) 445-6818

FAQ about Psychotherapy

Myths about Counseling

Counseling is something that is misunderstood by many people. These are some common myths about counseling:

MYTH 1:Counseling is only for people who have serious emotional problems.

FACT: While counseling does deal with people who have emotional problems it can also help individual, couple and family to gain self-awareness and to improve relationship.

MYTH 2:Seeking counseling is a sign of weakness.

FACT: There is nothing weak about a person who seeks counseling. In fact, it takes courage to explore sensitive, painful or confusing thoughts and feelings.
People who enter counseling are taking the first step in resolving their difficulties.

MYTH 3: The counselor will tell you what to do and how to "fix" your problems.

FACT: Counseling is not a "quick fix" cure to your problems. The counselor is here to help you explore your feelings, thoughts, and concerns, to examine your options, and to assist you in achieving the goals you have set.

MYTH 4: The counselor cannot understand you unless he/she has had similar experiences or is of the same background.

FACT: Counselors are trained to be sensitive to and respectful of individual differences, including the specific concerns of gender, race/ethnicity, culture, religion, age, sexual preference/ orientation, and socioeconomic issues.

Source:
usfweb2.usf.edu/counsel/self-hlp/what.htm
California Department of Insurancewww.insurance.ca.gov Consumer contact within the
State of California Department of Insurance.
Department of Managed Health Care www.dmhc.ca.gov

Question:
What is the difference between a MFT, LCSW, Psychologist, and
Psychiatrist?: • MFT or LMFT: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a master’s degree in
psychology, counseling psychology, clinical psychology, or marital and family
therapy. Emphasis is on primary service in counseling and psychotherapy from a
variety of therapeutic orientations with individuals, couples, families, and groups.

•LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a master’s degree in clinical social
work. Emphasis on primary service in psychosocial diagnosis, assessment and
treatment, client advocacy, consultation, evaluation and research.

•Psychologist: Possesses a doctoral degree in psychology or a related field with a
license to practice therapy and conducts psychological testing and research.

•Psychiatrist: A medical doctor who specializes in psychiatry. Emphasis on
primary service in prescribing and monitoring psychotropic medications and
sometimes offers psychotherapy.
Question: Fee & Payment: Does Insurance Cover Therapy?

If you’re struggling with a life-changing challenge, therapy offers a very cost-
effective solution that can help you better manage your life. Some therapists
offer a variety of payment options that include credit cards, cash, or insurance.
In California, therapists typically charge an hourly fee that ranges from
$90-$125, although some therapists do charge more. If you are in a low-income
bracket and don’t have insurance, ask your therapist if she or he provides a
sliding-fee scale. The hourly sliding-fee scale ranges from $60-$90.

Before you start therapy, you and your therapist should discuss his or her
payment policies and options.

Medical Insurance

If you have health insurance, it pays to be fully informed about what your
insurance company does and does not cover.
Many insurance plans cover or reimburse for mental health care. Often,
therapists will provide you with a “super bill” that you can submit to your
insurance company for reimbursement, providing the treatment and provider
meet your insurance company’s requirements. Some therapists will bill your
insurance company directly.
It is your responsibility to make sure your therapy is covered. Here are a few tips
for doing so:

1. Contact your insurance company or read your insurance plan to verify
yourinsurance coverage. Get the name and title of the person with whom
you speak.

2. Ask your insurance company if you need a referral from your primary
care physician to work with a MFT. If you do, be sure you get a referral for
therapy.

3. Ask your insurance company about what your policy will cover.

4. Find out from your insurance company how many visits are covered.

5. Confirm the amount of your deductible and co-pay.

6. Ask your insurance company if it requires the therapist to be part of a
preferred provider network or if there are any limitations on who you
choose to receive therapy from.

Shinju Emmy Chang, MA, MFT
444 E Huntington Dr Ste 333
Arcadia, CA 91006
ph: (626) 236-2887
fax: (626) 445-6818