Your Investment - Time, Energy & Finances
Meaningful therapy is an investment in your well-being. Like any worthwhile investment, it asks something of you. While financial considerations are important, lasting growth also requires your time, emotional energy, and willingness to engage in the process. Together, these investments create the foundation for meaningful and enduring change.
Time
Therapy is not simply about attending sessions—it is about creating space in your life for reflection, growth, and intentional change.
Individual therapy sessions are typically 50 minutes in length, except for the initial session which is 80 minutes. Couple sessions are 80 minutes in length, allowing sufficient time to move beyond surface concerns and explore issues more deeply. Fees are collected at the time of service.
The frequency and duration of therapy are tailored to your unique needs and my clinical recommendations. Weekly sessions are recommended, particularly at the beginning of therapy, as they help build momentum and foster lasting change. As appropriate, sessions may transition to every other week. During periods of significant stress or crisis, more frequent sessions may be beneficial.
Perhaps most importantly, much of the work of therapy happens between sessions. As you begin noticing patterns, practicing new ways of relating, and applying what you are learning in everyday life, the benefits of therapy deepen and become more lasting.
Energy
Therapy asks for more than your time—it also asks for your emotional presence and courage.
At times, therapy will invite you to slow down, face difficult emotions, examine longstanding patterns, or explore parts of yourself that have been hidden, protected, or wounded. While this can feel challenging, it is often where the greatest opportunities for healing and transformation are found.
You will never be forced to go where you are not ready. We move at a pace that feels both safe and appropriately challenging. My role is to provide a compassionate, supportive environment where you can approach these experiences with greater curiosity, self-compassion, and confidence.
The more open and engaged you are in the therapeutic process, the more likely you are to experience meaningful and lasting change.
My work lives at the intersection of relationships, inner emotional life, and spirituality. Whether I am working with couples in distress, individuals struggling with anxiety or trauma, or participants in retreats exploring the integration of psychology and faith, my aim is to create a grounded, compassionate space where meaningful change can occur.
Over time, my work has organized itself around three primary areas: helping couples build strong and conscious relationships, helping individuals develop a compassionate relationship with their inner world, and integrating psychological healing with contemplative spirituality.
Finances
Therapy is also a financial investment in your health, relationships, and quality of life.
Many clients find that the insights, skills, and healing they gain extend well beyond the therapy office, positively influencing their relationships, work, parenting, decision-making, and overall well-being for years to come.
Fees
- Individual therapy sessions (50 minutes): $275.
- Couples therapy sessions / Initial Individual therapy session (80 minutes): $410.
Fees are due at the time of each session.
How Insurance Works
I am an out-of-network provider and do not participate directly with insurance plans. This allows me to provide care based on your clinical needs rather than the limitations often imposed by insurance companies, including diagnostic requirements, session limits, and treatment restrictions.
If your insurance plan includes out-of-network mental health benefits, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement. Upon request, I will provide a monthly superbill that you can submit directly to your insurance company.
If you have questions about your coverage, I encourage you to contact your insurance provider and ask about your out-of-network mental health benefits before beginning therapy.
How Insurance Works
When you call, ask, “What is my out-of-network coverage to see a psychologist?” You can be more specific if needed and offer a procedure code: 90834 for individual therapy, and 90847 for couple or family therapy. Factors that play into reimbursement that you may want to discuss include:
- Your deductible. This is the amount you pay before you receive any reimbursement. For example, if your plan has a $500- deductible for mental health coverage, you will pay the first $500- before insurance covers you.
- Your co-pay. This is the amount – after your deductible has been met – that you are responsible for. For example, a plan with a co-pay of 50% means that you are responsible for 50% of the allowed amount.
- The allowed amount. Many plans will dictate an allowed amount. This is the amount the insurance company will allow for the service provided. For example, if their allowed amount for individual therapy is $150- and your co-pay is 50%, then the insurance will reimburse you $75- after your deductible has been met.
The Return on Your Investment
The hope is that the investment you make in therapy yields dividends far beyond symptom relief. As you develop greater self-awareness, emotional resilience, healthier relationships, and a deeper connection to your authentic self, the benefits often extend into every area of life. While therapy requires an investment today, many clients discover that its value continues long after our work together has ended.
Your Journey Begins Here.
(310) 268-7792
Michael@DrMichaelD.com
11704 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 245
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Arrange a Consultation.
Take the first step toward emotional wellness and healthier relationships by scheduling a personalized consultation with Dr. DiPaolo today.
