Question 1

Will my insurance provide reimbursement for session fees?

Accepted Answer

Insurance coverage varies. We are currently a private-pay, out-of-network provider with the acceptance of Aetna. While we don't accept insurance directly (aside from Aetna) your insurance plan may have out-of-network benefits, which means that they will reimburse you for a portion of our session cost. We have partnered with Thrizer to handle the out-of-network process automatically for you. With Thrizer, you will only have to pay your co-insurance for our sessions, instead of paying our full fee and waiting for reimbursements. This can save you on average 70% upfront on our sessions. During our intake process, we can help you verify if you have out-of-network benefits and how much your co-insurance would be.

With Aetna, we will verify your benefits and discuss with you prior to your first session or admission to program. We encourage you to verify your benefits as well to ensure accuracy.

Question 2

Do you offer a free consultation so I can see if we are a fit?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can schedule a free consultation with us here: Request Appointment | AlignED Care | SimplePractice (clientsecure.me)

Question 3

What are your fees?

Accepted Answer

Alyshia Marcelletti's fee is $200 per 50-minute session
Heather Johnson's fee is $200 per 50-minute session and $250 per 90-minuteAccelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) session
Jason Stephen's fee is $200 per 50-minute session and $250 per Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) session
Elyse Brynen's fee is $200 per 50-minute session
Robyn Caruso’s fee is $250 per 50-minute session and $350 per 90-minute Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) session
Please see groups page for group fees

We are currently a private-pay, out-of-network provider with most insurances. We are in-network with Aetna for all of our levels of care. While we don't accept insurance directly with the exception of Aetna, your insurance plan may have out-of-network benefits, which means that they will reimburse you for a portion of our session cost. We have partnered with Thrizer to handle the out-of-network process automatically for you. With Thrizer, you will only have to pay your co-insurance for our sessions, instead of paying our full fee and waiting for reimbursements. This can save you on average 70% upfront on our sessions. During our intake process, we can help you verify if you have out-of-network benefits and how much your co-insurance would be.

With Aetna, we will verify your benefits and discuss with you prior to your first session or admission to program. We encourage you to verify your benefits as well to ensure accuracy.

Please call us to discuss our eating disorder Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) fees. We will check your insurance benefits and provide information specific to your plan.

Question 4

Do you offer telehealth or virtual sessions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer telehealth services for clients who prefer or require remote sessions. These sessions are conducted via a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. James Kane offers virtual sessions for individuals located within California. Robyn Caruso offers virtual sessions for individuals located within California, Florida and South Carolina.

Question 5

Do you offer in-person sessions?

Accepted Answer

Yes. James Kane offers in-person sessions in Studio City, California. Robyn Caruso offers in-person sessions in Encino, California. Both locations are within the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles and are freeway accessible.

Question 6

What types of therapy do you offer?

Accepted Answer

We offer individual, family and group therapy. We also offer an Eating Disorder Transitional Aftercare Program for individuals stepping down from or who have stepped down from intensive treatment within the last year.

Question 7

What modalities/theoretical orientations of therapy do you provide?

Accepted Answer

We provide therapy in various modalities, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)*, Psychodynamic, Polyvagal, Experiential, Internal Family Systems (IFS-informed).

Robyn Caruso is Basic Trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy® (ART®). This therapy can be done concurrently while working with another therapist (with care coordination) as symptoms may resolve/improve within 1-5 sessions and you do not have to share details of the story if you do not want to. Please note results depend on many factors and everyone responds differently. More information about ART® can be found here: Accelerated Resolution Therapy - Treating Trauma

*Please note we utilize a DBT-informed approach, which means we teach DBT skills in session and we do not offer comprehensive DBT. Where indicated, we incorporate the diary-card, behavior chain analysis and other DBT methodologies.

Question 8

What is the Eating Disorder Transitional Aftercare Program?

Accepted Answer

The Eating Disorder Transitional Aftercare Program is designed for those who've recently transitioned from intensive treatment, whether that treatment was primarily for eating disorders or other issues like substance use or mental health challenges. The heart of this program is to focus squarely on the complexities of eating disorders and the myriad issues that intertwine with them.

This program isn't a one-size-fits-all; it's tailored to fit where you are in your journey. It includes a mix of group sessions, individual therapy, and family therapy, depending on what resonates with your needs. It's not about replacing the support systems you already have in place – it's about complementing them. If you're already working with a therapist, great, you can still join a group within our program to add another layer of support.

We understand that the road post-intensive treatment can be rocky. The transition back into the rhythms of daily life – managing body image, navigating relationships, handling the practicalities of grocery shopping, school, work – can be overwhelming. Our program is here to offer you the skills and support to integrate these parts of your life more smoothly, to help you stand strong against the challenges that often arise after stepping down from intensive care.

And remember, sometimes the need for support might not be immediate. It could be several months post-stepdown when you realize that extra support could be the key to preventing a return to more intensive care. That's okay. We're here, ready to provide that support, whenever you're ready to reach out.

Question 9

What are your credentials?

Accepted Answer

James Kane is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist 
(California AMFT #131638) who is supervised by Robyn Caruso.

Robyn Caruso is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
(California LMFT #80168), Florida out-of-state telehealth provider (TPMF871), and South Carolina Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMF.8058 MFT).

Question 10

How do I contact my therapist?

Accepted Answer

You can contact your therapist via a HIPAA compliant SimplePractice secure messaging platform or via phone. We generally respond to messages within 24 hours on business days. For scheduling or urgent matters, please use the contact details provided during your intake session.

Question 11

What if I experience an emergency?

Accepted Answer

In case of an emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. While we provide support during therapy hours, we are not an emergency service. Once your emergency has been tended to, please reach out to us to let us know if we may support by coordinating care with the facility. We will require the facility to send us a signed release of information form completed by you giving us permission to share information.

Question 12

How often do I need to go to therapy?

Accepted Answer

The frequency of sessions depends on your individual needs and goals. Clients start with weekly sessions, with adjustments made as progress is observed.

Question 13

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

For individual and family sessions, we assess a late-cancellation/no-show fee equivalent to the session fee if you do not contact us to cancel outside of 24-hours prior to your scheduled session time. This means that if you have a session at 9:00 am Tuesday, you would need to cancel your session prior to 9:00 am Monday in order to avoid assessment of the fee.

For group sessions, we assess a late-cancellation/no-show fee equivalent to the session fee if you do not contact us to cancel outside of 48-hours prior to your scheduled session time. This means that if you have a group at 5:00 pm Monday, you would need to cancel your session prior to 5:00 pm  Saturday in order to avoid assessment of the fee.

Question 14

Do you offer consultation and training for other clinicians?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we do. We offer individual and group clinical consultation. Please click here for more information.

Question 15

Notice of Privacy Practices

Accepted Answer

AlignED Care Individual and Family Therapy, APC dba AlignED Care Eating Disorder and Mental Health Center
310-494-6241
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS NOTICE This notice went into effect on August 1, 2023
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW HEALTH INFORMATION MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
I. OUR PLEDGE REGARDING HEALTH INFORMATION: I understand that health information about you and your health care is personal. I am committed to protecting health information about you. I create a record of the care and services you receive from me. I need this record to provide you with quality care and to comply with certain legal requirements. This notice applies to all of the records of your care generated by this mental health care practice. This notice will tell you about the ways in which I may use and disclose health information about you. I also describe your rights to the health information I keep about you, and describe certain obligations I have regarding the use and disclosure of your health information. I am required by law to:
Make sure that protected health information (“PHI”) that identifies you is kept private.
Give you this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to health information.
Follow the terms of the notice that is currently in effect.
I can change the terms of this Notice, and such changes will apply to all information I have about you. The new Notice will be available upon request, in our office, and on our website.
II. HOW I MAY USE AND DISCLOSE HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU:
The following categories describe different ways that I use and disclose health information. For each category of uses or disclosures I will explain what I mean and try to give some examples. Not every use or disclosure in a category will be listed. However, all of the ways I am permitted to use and disclose information will fall within one of the categories.
For Treatment Payment, or Health Care Operations: Federal privacy rules (regulations) allow health care providers who have direct treatment relationship with the patient/client to use or disclose the patient/client’s personal health information without the patient’s written authorization, to carry out the health care provider’s own treatment, payment or health care operations. I may also disclose your protected health information for the treatment activities of any health care provider. This too can be done without your written authorization. For example, if a clinician were to consult with another licensed health care provider about your condition, we would be permitted to use and disclose your personal health information, which is otherwise confidential, in order to assist the clinician in diagnosis and treatment of your mental health condition.
Disclosures for treatment purposes are not limited to the minimum necessary standard. Because therapists and other health care providers need access to the full record and/or full and complete information in order to provide quality care. The word “treatment” includes, among other things, the coordination and management of health care providers with a third party, consultations between health care providers and referrals of a patient for health care from one health care provider to another.
Lawsuits and Disputes: If you are involved in a lawsuit, I may disclose health information in response to a court or administrative order. I may also disclose health information about your child in response to a subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process by someone else involved in the dispute, but only if efforts have been made to tell you about the request or to obtain an order protecting the information requested.
III. CERTAIN USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRE YOUR AUTHORIZATION:
Psychotherapy Notes. I do keep “psychotherapy notes” as that term is defined in 45 CFR § 164.501, and any use or disclosure of such notes requires your Authorization unless the use or disclosure is:
a. For my use in treating you.
b. For my use in training or supervising mental health practitioners to help them improve their skills in group, joint, family, or individual counseling or therapy.
c. For my use in defending myself in legal proceedings instituted by you.
d. For use by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to investigate my compliance with HIPAA.
e. Required by law and the use or disclosure is limited to the requirements of such law.
f. Required by law for certain health oversight activities pertaining to the originator of the psychotherapy notes.
g. Required by a coroner who is performing duties authorized by law.
h. Required to help avert a serious threat to the health and safety of others.
Marketing Purposes. As a psychotherapist, I will not use or disclose your PHI for marketing purposes.
Sale of PHI. As a psychotherapist, I will not sell your PHI in the regular course of my business.
IV. CERTAIN USES AND DISCLOSURES DO NOT REQUIRE YOUR AUTHORIZATION.
Subject to certain limitations in the law, I can use and disclose your PHI without your Authorization for the following reasons:
When disclosure is required by state or federal law, and the use or disclosure complies with and is limited to the relevant requirements of such law.
For public health activities, including reporting suspected child, elder, or dependent adult abuse, or preventing or reducing a serious threat to anyone’s health or safety.
For health oversight activities, including audits and investigations.
For judicial and administrative proceedings, including responding to a court or administrative order, although my preference is to obtain an Authorization from you before doing so.
For law enforcement purposes, including reporting crimes occurring on my premises.
To coroners or medical examiners, when such individuals are performing duties authorized by law.
For research purposes, including studying and comparing the mental health of patients who received one form of therapy versus those who received another form of therapy for the same condition.
Specialized government functions, including, ensuring the proper execution of military missions; protecting the President of the United States; conducting intelligence or counter-intelligence operations; or, helping to ensure the safety of those working within or housed in correctional institutions.
For workers’ compensation purposes. Although my preference is to obtain an Authorization from you, I may provide your PHI in order to comply with workers’ compensation laws.
10 Appointment reminders and health related benefits or services. I may use and disclose your PHI to contact you to remind you that you have an appointment with me. I may also use and disclose your PHI to tell you about treatment alternatives, or other health care services or benefits that I offer.
V. CERTAIN USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRE YOU TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT.
Disclosures to family, friends, or others. I may provide your PHI to a family member, friend, or other person that you indicate is involved in your care or the payment for your health care, unless you object in whole or in part. The opportunity to consent may be obtained retroactively in emergency situations.
VI. YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO YOUR PHI:
The Right to Request Limits on Uses and Disclosures of Your PHI. You have the right to ask me not to use or disclose certain PHI for treatment, payment, or health care operations purposes. I am not required to agree to your request, and I may say “no” if I believe it would affect your health care.
The Right to Request Restrictions for Out-of-Pocket Expenses Paid for In Full. You have the right to request restrictions on disclosures of your PHI to health plans for payment or health care operations purposes if the PHI pertains solely to a health care item or a health care service that you have paid for out-of-pocket in full.
The Right to Choose How I Send PHI to You. You have the right to ask me to contact you in a specific way (for example, home or office phone) or to send mail to a different address, and I will agree to all reasonable requests.
The Right to See and Get Copies of Your PHI. Other than “psychotherapy notes,” you have the right to get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and other information that I have about you. I will provide you with a copy of your record, or a summary of it, if you agree to receive a summary, within 30 days of receiving your written request, and I may charge a reasonable, cost based fee for doing so.
The Right to Get a List of the Disclosures I Have Made. You have the right to request a list of instances in which I have disclosed your PHI for purposes other than treatment, payment, or health care operations, or for which you provided me with an Authorization. I will respond to your request for an accounting of disclosures within 60 days of receiving your request. The list I will give you will include disclosures made in the last six years unless you request a shorter time. I will provide the list to you at no charge, but if you make more than one request in the same year, I will charge you a reasonable cost-based fee for each additional request.
The Right to Correct or Update Your PHI. If you believe that there is a mistake in your PHI, or that a piece of important information is missing from your PHI, you have the right to request that I correct the existing information or add the missing information. I may say “no” to your request, but I will tell you why in writing within 60 days of receiving your request.
The Right to Get a Paper or Electronic Copy of this Notice. You have the right get a paper copy of this Notice, and you have the right to get a copy of this notice by e-mail. And, even if you have agreed to receive this Notice via e-mail, you also have the right to request a paper copy of it.