Frequently Asked Questions

Finding the right therapist can sometimes feel like a daunting task. At Compass, we're here to help. Below are a few tips to keep in mind as you look for a therapist that's right for you. If you find that you have additional questions or you want to discuss this process over the phone, please don't hesitate to call our office.

·       Find a good fit: The degree to which you "click" with your therapist is a crucial part of therapy. Because you will be talking with your therapist frequently about emotional or sensitive matters, it is important that you feel that your therapist understands who you really are and has your best interests at heart. For some this comfort arrives quickly; for others, it takes time to establish.

·       Consider what you need: It is important to be aware of the treatment modalities your therapist is trained in and has experience with before beginning therapy. Be sure that your therapist provides treatments that are backed by science, rather than their own experience or intuition alone. Because we believe that counseling and clinical psychology are disciplines that require their practitioners to flexibly respond to their clients' needs by using a wide range of approaches, all of our clinicians have broad experiences with multiple evidence-based modalities. With that being said, each Compass clinician has unique experiences and expertise that set them apart. Before scheduling an in-person visit, we recommend looking for clinicians who have experience with the types of things you are struggling with. Please visit the "Team" page to learn more about our therapists. Our team can also recommend a therapist whom we think is a good fit based on your preferences and needs.

·       Plan Ahead: Attending therapy should not be burdensome. If you have to drive extremely long distances or miss out on important life events in order to attend your sessions, it can lead to frustration and impede your treatment. Try to find a therapist who is accessible and available to meet in the times that work best for you. It is also important to have a clear idea about the cost of therapy before beginning, as therapy should never introduce more challenges to your life than it resolves. At Compass, we charge a direct fee for services and provide Superbills that clients with a variety of insurance carriers can submit for reimbursement at the out-of-network reimbursement rate (see insurance FAQ below).

Compared to looking for a therapist for yourself, finding a therapist for you child can be a bit trickier. Rather than considering your needs and your personal reactions to therapists, you must now consider those of your child. Here are some things that we recommend parents look for when searching for a therapist.

·       Expertise: Look for someone who has experience delivering evidence-based child psychotherapy and in-depth knowledge of child development.

·       Likability: Either because it wasn't their choice to go or because they don't know what to expect, children and adolescents often have a harder time going to therapy than adults. Because of this, finding someone who your child enjoys being with is especially important. Clinicians working with kids should be the kind of people that are fun and easy to be around-- someone who is not afraid to play and act silly. Talented child therapists will infuse this type of positive interaction into evidence-based therapeutic action.

·       Curiosity: It is ideal to find a therapist who is really going to get to know your child and your family. They should be curious about your child's thoughts and feelings and your wishes as a parent. Using all of the information that is gathered about your child and your family, they will arrive at a plan of action that best suits your child.

·       Professionalism: It is important to settle on a therapist who will be professional and responsible in how they communicate information to you. When working with a minor (under age 18), the legal rights of confidentiality typically rests with the parents or legal guardian of the child. This means that if you wanted to, you could know almost everything about your child's therapy. Keeping very close tabs on your child's therapy, however, is almost never in their best interest. It can be incredibly powerful for your child to feel like the therapist is an outsider and that the information that they are sharing will be kept private. In fact, more often than not, this arrangement is a crucial component of successful therapy-allowing the therapist to help the child develop their voice while supporting the parents' concerns. Even when it was not the child's decision to attend therapy, permitting the therapist to have some liberty regarding what is shared with the parents often allows a special relationship to develop between the child and therapist in which the child views the therapist as a supportive figure who will unconditionally help them achieve their goals. With this in mind, we usually recommend that therapists and parents have an agreement before therapy starts that the therapist will share big picture concerns with parents, while keeping the day-to-day aspects of therapy between the child and the therapist. Additionally, our clinicians encourage parents to reach out to them at any time with questions, concerns, or if they wish to share important information. Parents are the adults who know their children best, and are a child therapist’s most important allies.

Struggling is a normal part of human existence. Human beings have been going through hard times and bouncing back for millennia before the advent of therapy, by leaning into their close relationships, connecting their individual struggles to greater systems of meaning, and using their inner resources to persevere. There are so many paths to recovery.

However, therapy might be the right choice for you if:

• You’re stuck in the same painful patterns. Maybe you notice something familiar about what’s troubling you in your relationships, your work, or what it feels like to be you. Even though you feel like you have worked through it before, you end up struggling in the same way again. Therapy can help you take a step back and have a new perspective on these patterns, understand what drives them more deeply, and equip you with the resources to solve your problems in a new way that leaves you feeling free instead of stuck.

• ·The ways you cope help in the short term, but not in the long term. Human minds are problem solving machines— when we get fired, we find a new job; when we get a flat tire, we change it; when we’re sick, we take medicine. However, the kinds of problems that arise internally aren’t always amenable to the same pattern of problem-and-solution. When we feel anxious, for example, we might do something to boost our mood in the short term— go for a run, distract with TV, call a friend, reach for a pint of ice cream, or postpose doing something we’re worried about. We do these things because they work, at least in some circumstances or for a while. But if you find that you only have quick fixes (or if you find that too much of your life is being eaten up by using these quick fixes), you might be a good candidate for therapy. Therapy can help you relate differently to your problems so that you’re free to use strategies that help you build the kind of life you want in the long term, not just avoid the things you don’t want in the short term.

• You’re withdrawing from the things that make life fulfilling. Has it been a while since you’ve felt really connected with someone, accomplished something you’re proud of, or felt totally “in the zone” doing something that you love? If psychological pain is keeping you from doing the things that are important and meaningful to you, therapy can help you reconnect to the valued activities, experiences, and relationships that make life worth living.

• You aren’t functioning as well as you’d like in your relationships, at work, or at school. Many people come to therapy when personal pain starts to have measurable consequences for the rest of their life. Sometimes seeing how other people or things are affected gives us the motivation we need to take good care of ourselves. Therapy can help you be the healthiest version of yourself, so that you can show up more fully for the important people and activities in your life.

• You’re tired of trying to figure it all out on your own. Human beings need each other, especially in times of stress or pain. When therapy works, your therapist feels like an ally, walking beside you on a difficult journey and providing new ideas and perspectives to help you reach your goals.

Our team are experts in collaborating with you to develop a treatment plan that addresses your needs and preferences. First, a psychologist on our team helps match each client to a provider based on the information you provide in your initial consultation call with our staff. Next, your provider starts therapy with a comprehensive intake process and provides you with feedback about your options for high quality therapy to support you in your goals. Finally, this treatment plan is periodically reassessed as you respond to treatment, your needs change, or new information is available, to make sure that you are receiving optimal care.

From the very first call to the day that you’ve met your goals and are ready to end treatment, we believe that high quality care happens in the context of high-quality relationships. We look forward to listening carefully to what you need and sharing clearly what we recommend, so that you are empowered to choose the best treatment for your individual needs.

Compass therapy offers a wide range of services. Learn more about each of our services below:

• Individual therapy for adults

• Child and adolescent therapy

• Couple’s therapy

• Family and parenting therapy

• Assessment

• Medication management

• Legal and forensic services

• Consultation and training

Across our range of services and providers, we take pride in providing the highest-quality, evidence-based care.

Compass therapy is out of network with insurance. This means that clients pay a fee for therapy services directly to Compass. We then provide superbills to our clients, which clients can submit to their insurance company for reimbursement at the out-of-network reimbursement rate. Typically, PPO insurance will reimburse a set percent of the therapy fee directly to clients, after clients meet their deductible, although policies vary by insurance plan. Our front desk staff is happy to talk to you more about what to expect when using superbills for out of network services.

Fees for treatment depend on the type of service offered and the provider who is offering the service. For example, the fee for one hour of individual therapy is typically $250-$350 for services offered by a licensed psychologist and $150-$250 for services offered by a licensed masters-level therapist or supervised associate. Psychiatry services range from $300-$800 per hour (with lower rates for shorter meetings). Comprehensive psychoeducational/diagnostic assessment services are typically $4,000-$5,000 in total. We believe that no one should be surprised by the cost of therapy, and we are happy to discuss rates for the particular providers and services you are interested in during your consultation call. Additionally, for clients who would like to use their insurance benefits for out of network services, we provide superbills to support your seeking reimbursement from your insurance provider.

Start by contacting our front desk, by phone or email. Our staff will listen to what brings you to therapy and answer any questions you have. A psychologist on our team will then match you to the provider who offers the best fit for your needs and preferences.

Call: 949-229-5708

Email: hello@compass-therapy.com

Learn more about what to expect when you connect with us.

We have offices located in Newport Beach, Claremont, and West Los Angeles, and we also provide services via telehealth to clients located throughout California.

·       Newport Beach Office: 4063 Birch St, Suite 220, Newport Beach, CA, 92660

·       West Los Angeles Office: 1990 S Bundy Dr, Suite 385, Los Angeles, CA, 90025

·       Claremont Office: 405 N Indian Hill Blvd, Claremont, CA, 91711

·       Colorado Office: 5950 Willow Dr, Suite 215, Greenwood Village, CO, 80111

Some providers on our team can also provide telehealth services in other states. Please contact our team with any questions regarding availability of services outside of California.

Yes, we provide secure telehealth services to clients located anywhere in California. We also have clinicians who are licensed to provide services in New York, Colorado, and in PSYPACT states. We know that clients sometimes have circumstances that mean that mean that they want services while they are outside of California—from attending college to sharing a long-distance relationships to work travel. Please contact us and we can help you determine whether we have a provider who can assist in your particular situation.

To access your client portal, go to https://compasstherapy.mytheranest.com/home/login and enter your account information.