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How many sessions will it take to reach our goals?
I often get people who ask me about how many sessions it will take to achieve the therapy goal. Even though I work from a shorter term of therapy (10-18 sessions), each person and situation is unique. The harder you work in and out of the therapy office, the quicker you will get results; however, if there are traumas or relationship wounds, the therapy may be stretched out and need more in depth focus. Others may respond very well to therapy and need less than 10 sessions. The sessions depend on the issues we are addressing, the client(s), the frequency of the therapy sessions, and the willingness to work through the issues. As a therapist, I will do my best to do whatever I can to help get long term results.
What is the cost/fee of therapy? How much is it?
There are two options.
1. $150 per session: You can meet with Jennine Estes (that's me!), a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, for $150 per therapy session and each session is for 50-minutes long. Some people meet with me once a week, other people meet with me every other week or once a month. It all depends on your particular needs.
2. $100 per session: You can meet with a Marriage and Family Therapist intern (graduated with their master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and currently working on gaining their clinical hours for licensure in California) for $100 per counseling session. The interns receive my direct supervision and I over see each clinical case...basically you are paying for two therapists to focus on your situation at the cost of one intern. What is an MFT Intern?
How often do we meet?
Once again, some people meet with me on a weekly basis, while others may decide to meet bi-monthly or every 3 weeks. Meetings will vary on a case by case basis. I often recommend that couples and individuals in distress to start therapy with weekly sessions in the beginning to lay the ground work for achieving your goals. My goal is that you will become the expert of your life and your relationships, but without putting a band-aide over the wound for temporary correction. I want long term change. As we begin to see progress, we can gradually pull therapy sessions further and further apart, as is appropriate for your situation.
Do you take insurance?
No, I do not take insurance at this time. I provide my clients with a receipt that can be forwarded to your current insurance provider for possible reimbursement. Some insurances reimburse the entire amount, some reimburse a portion, and some do not reimburse at all. Please contact your insurance provider for further details regarding their reimbursement policy.
How do I pay for each counseling session?
Payments for the therapy sessions are either made ahead of time (with the online scheduler) or at the end of each independent counseling session. Payments may be in the form of cash, check, credit card, or flex spending account credit cards.
Do you have a sliding scale fee?
Yes. For those who can't afford to work with Jennine Estes, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, you can work with one of the therapist interns for the rate of $100. (see fees above). I also have a limited number of sliding scale slots available for those that qualify. Please inquire.
What therapy style do you use?
I use a team-approach in counseling. We will work together while addressing the issues. While I am the expert, my goal is that you will become the expert of your relationships and of your reactions. I want you to walk away feeling confident and having a full personal “tool box.” I work from an attachment lens of emotionally focused therapy (EFT).
What are your office hours? Do you work evenings or weekends?
Day, Evening and Weekend appointments available! Estes Therapy offers therapy appointments starting as early as 9:00am and as late as 7:00pm, both week days and on weekends. I try to make the therapy appointments work with your schedule, so we are now offering appointments both during the day and evening. If you need a weekend, please specify when you are making the phone call or sending an email. Evening and weekend appointments are with one of the therapist interns. If you specifically want to work with Jennine (that's me!), her schedule is Monday - Thursday from 9:00am-5:00pm.
How quick can I make an appointment? Do you have a waiting list?
I can usually schedule an appointment for the same week or for the following week. I do my best to fit my clients in quickly and to get started on therapy right away. Keep in mind that prime time slots get filled quickly, so scheduling the counseling sessions sooner rather than later is encouraged. I now created an online scheduler where you can book an appointment as soon as one day in advance. It allows you to pick the time that works best for you, choose the therapist (either myself or one of my interns), and recieve text message/email reminders along the way. Click the blue button below to begin the process of online scheduling.
Where are you located? What part of San Diego?
My counseling office is located in the Mission Valley area of San Diego, CA. The office is centrally located off of Highway 8. The cross street is Texas Street. A great location for therapy!
Does your credit card machine accept payment from Flex Spending Accounts?
Yes. My credit card machine is coded for mental health/therapeutic medical services and allows for he flex spending account credit cards.
