Dr. Katiah Llerena, PhD

Existing clients should refer to their informed consent form via the client portal for more detailed information regarding these policies.

Understanding Psychotherapy: Therapy is viewed as a partnership between the therapist and the client. Clients define the issues, while the therapist applies specialized knowledge to assist. It involves active participation from the client, planned treatment goals, periodic assessments, and may involve homework assignments for the best outcomes.

Duration: Therapy is not a quick fix and requires effort. Typically, sessions are weekly for 3–5 months, becoming less frequent thereafter. In my practice, it’s also common to engage in long-term therapy focused on depth work to explore deeper psychological patterns and experiences.

Benefits and Risks: Like any treatment, therapy has benefits and potential risks. While therapy can result in significant improvements in mood and relationships, it may also temporarily bring up uncomfortable feelings or memories.

Confidentiality: Client information is confidential, with exceptions for situations like court orders, threats of harm to self or others, and child/elder/dependent abuse. There are protocols for sharing and destroying records after a certain period.

Appointments: Appointments typically last 50 minutes. It’s important to prioritize and attend sessions, with charges applied for late cancellations.

Fees: Payment is due at the time of service. Various services like telephone consultations, psychological assessments, and others may have specific fees.

Cancellations and No Shows: I am rarely able to fill a cancelled session, so you will be charged the full fee for no shows or sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice.

Insurance: I do not take insurance, but I accept Lyra Health. A receipt for service is provided that you can submit to your insurer for reimbursement in accordance with your insurance policy. For help navigating reimbursement, click here or try Mentaya.

Contact: While the therapist may not always be immediately available, clients can leave a message and expect a response within 24 to 48 hours. For emergencies, clients are advised to call 911 or go to an emergency room. Spruce is used for encrypted and HIPAA-compliant messaging and phone calls.

Office Space: The therapist shares the office space with other professionals but operates independently.

Telehealth: Sessions are facilitated through the HIPAA-compliant Simple Practice platform. Please ensure you’re in a private, distraction-free setting. For safety reasons, we cannot conduct sessions if a client is driving.

Feedback and Complaints: Clients are encouraged to share concerns directly with the therapist. Formal complaints can be directed to the California Board of Psychology