- Making an Initial Appointment
If you wish to set up an appointment, Dr. Anna McCarthy can be reached by telephone (949 544 3040). Typically new patients can be seen the same week they call to request an appointment. Dr. McCarthy always talks to prospective patients via telephone prior to patients coming to the office for their first appointment. This telephone call is provided at no charge to patients.
- Therapy sessions
Sessions are typically 50 minutes in length (one appointment hour of 50 minutes duration) and usually patients are seen once a week. Longer or more frequent sessions can be scheduled if more intensive treatment is needed. Once an appointment hour is scheduled, 24 hours advanced notice of cancellation is required to avoid paying the session fee (unless you were unable to attend the session as a result of an emergency).
- Hours of Service
Dr McCarthy offers morning, daytime, and evening appointment options. Dr. McCarthy will always return phone calls during the first business day she receives a message. If a psychiatric emergency occurs, do not wait for a returned phone call from Dr. McCarthy. Instead, please call 911 or go to your local emergency room immediately. In the event that Dr. McCarthy is away from the office for an extended period of time, the name and contact information of a trusted, and highly trained, mental health professional covering for Dr. McCarthy will always be provided to existing patients.
- Payment
Dr. McCarthy doesn’t contract with insurance companies. Therefore, all fees are due at the time of each session. However, at your request, a statement (called a “superbill”) can be given to you so that you can submit it to your insurance company for reimbursement.
- The first few sessions of therapy
Prior to the first session with Dr. McCarthy you will complete initial intake forms (that can be located on the “Forms” page of this website). These forms will be carefully reviewed with you and Dr. McCarthy will listen carefully to you as she gathers information to assist her with diagnosing and conceptualizing issues, and developing an individualized written treatment plan with you. Treatment approaches and interventions will be discussed with you, and when deemed appropriate, “homework” assignments will be given to you, as you undertake the process of exploring problematic personal or relationship patterns that may be preventing you from leading a valued, fulfilling life. Dr. McCarthy is a caring and compassionate therapist who can assist you in coping with uncomfortable feelings (such as sadness, guilt, anger, frustration, or helplessness) if they arise as a result of discussing unpleasant aspects of your life.
- Good Faith Estimate Notice
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.