FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Starting therapy can bring up a lot of questions, and that’s completely okay.
Below are some of the most common questions I receive from clients. If you don’t see what you’re wondering about here, feel free to reach out. I’m here to help.

  • While my specialty is in working with women navigating attachment wounds, relationship challenges, and self-worth, I also offer:

    • Individual therapy for teens

    • Individual therapy for clients of all gender identities seeking support with:

      • Anxiety

      • Emotional awareness

      • Attachment styles

      • Inner child work

      • Stress

    • Couples therapy/premarital counseling focused on building strong foundations in:

      • Communication

      • Connection

      • Shared goals

    Please note: I do not specialize in working with relationships involving abuse or infidelity.

  • Finding the right therapist is a personal and important decision. If you’ve explored my website and feel seen or that my specialty aligns with what you’ve been needing or looking for, I encourage you to go ahead and schedule a session.

    If, after reviewing the information, you’re still unsure or have questions, I invite you to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. This is a no-pressure opportunity to ask any lingering questions and get a better sense of how I work, helping you feel more confident about whether we’re a good fit.

    My goal is for you to feel seen, supported, and confident in your decision to begin therapy. Your comfort and clarity in this decision matter, and I’m here to help.

  • If you feel ready to begin therapy and are confident that I’m the right fit for you, simply click the Schedule a Session button anywhere on my website or by scrolling down to the last section of this page to book your first appointment or visit the Contact page to leave your information and I personally will get in touch within 2 business days.

    Returning clients can easily schedule sessions through their existing client portal or by reaching out to my main business contact information.

  • I am currently in-network with select insurance plans. If you're unsure whether your insurance plan is accepted, feel free to reach out, and I’ll guide you through your options.

    If you prefer not to use insurance or want more flexibility, I also offer private pay/self-pay options. Please reach out to see what might work best for your situation.

  • I am currently credentialed with the following insurance plans. These include, but may not be limited to:

    • Aetna

    • Carelon

    • Cigna

    • Optum / UnitedHealthcare

    • Blue Shield of California (including MHSA)

    • Kaiser Permanente (in certain cases)

    • Additional plans may be accepted depending on network eligibility

    Please note: Seeing your insurance listed here does not guarantee coverage or verification of benefits. Insurance eligibility and benefits are verified only after you schedule your intake appointment and complete the intake paperwork. You will receive a confirmation of your benefits and financial responsibility at that time.

    If you'd like help checking your coverage before booking, feel free to reach out more details by filling out the contact form below.

  • While I am an out-of-network provider for most insurance plans, many clients are still able to receive partial reimbursement by submitting a superbill, an itemized receipt of services, to their insurance.

    If you’d like to explore this option, I can provide a superbill at the end of each month that you can submit directly to your insurance provider.

    Reimbursement is not guaranteed and depends on your specific insurance plan’s out-of-network benefits.

  • Private pay/self-pay rates vary depending on the type of session:

    • Individual Therapy: $120 per 50-minute session

    • Couples Therapy: $140 per 50-minute session

    A Good Faith Estimate will be provided to all private pay/self-pay clients in compliance with the No Surprises Act.

  • A Good Faith Estimate is a document that outlines the expected cost of services for clients who are not using insurance. As part of the No Surprises Act, this estimate helps you understand the financial commitment of therapy. I provide this to all private pay/self-pay clients at the start of treatment so you feel informed and empowered about your investment in care.

  • Yes, your privacy is extremely important to me, and what you share in therapy is kept strictly confidential with a few exceptions required by law where I’m required to break confidentiality to ensure your safety or the safety of others. These include:

    • If you are at serious risk of harming yourself or someone else

    • If there is suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elder, or dependent adult

    • If I am subpoenaed by a court of law to release records or testify

    • If you give written consent for me to share information with another provider or individual

    I’ll review these exceptions during our first session so you feel clear and supported. I’m always happy to talk through confidentiality and its limits at any point, so you feel safe, respected, and informed in our work together.

  • I offer secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth therapy sessions via a confidential video platform. You can attend sessions from a private, safe space using a phone, tablet, or computer and a stable internet connection.

    Online therapy offers flexibility, consistency, and convenience, especially for busy professionals, students, or parents, while maintaining the same quality of care as in-person sessions.

  • At this time, I only offer online/Telehealth therapy sessions. I hope to offer a limited amount of in-person sessions in the near future, with plans for a location in Fresno or Clovis, CA. Once that option becomes available, I will update the information on my website.

    Online therapy offers flexibility, privacy, and the convenience of meeting from the comfort of your own space.

  • The Cancellation & No-Show Policy:

    To help maintain consistency and respect both your time and mine, and support all clients in accessing timely care, the following policy applies:

    • Cancellations or rescheduling require at least 24 hours’ notice.

      • This allows me to offer the time to someone else who may be waiting for support.

    • Late cancellations (less than 24 hours’ notice) or missed appointments will be charged a cancellation fee.

    • If you do not arrive within the first 7 minutes of your scheduled session time and have not contacted me, the session will be considered a no-show and treated as a missed appointment; you will be charged a cancellation fee.

      • For insurance-billed sessions, this is especially important. Appointments must be at least 53 minutes to meet billing requirements.

      • Even with advance notice, arriving more than 7 minutes late cannot become a recurring pattern.
        Consistent late arrivals, even with communication, disrupt the therapeutic process, limit session effectiveness, and may affect your continued scheduling.

    This policy is designed to protect our time together and ensure fairness to all clients. I understand that life happens, and I encourage you to reach out as soon as possible if you’re running late or need to reschedule.

  • At this time, I am only licensed to provide therapy in California. Due to licensure laws, clients must be physically located in California at the time of each session, even if they are residents of the state. This means I cannot legally offer therapy if you're temporarily out of state or traveling to other states, or internationally.

    If I become licensed in additional states in the future, I will update that information here.

It’s Okay to Have Questions Let’s Talk

Finding the right therapist is a personal decision, and it’s completely okay if you’re still unsure.

If you have questions that weren’t answered on my website or just want to get a feel for working with me, I invite you to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. Simply complete the form. I personally respond to all inquiries within 2 business days.

If you’re ready to begin your therapy journey, scroll down and click Schedule a Session to book your first appointment.

Schedule Your First Therapy Session

Schedule Your First Therapy Session

Woman scheduling a therapy appointment with Melissa Avina LMFTon her laptop

If your questions have been answered and you're feeling confident about moving forward, I’d be honored to support you on your healing journey.

You can schedule your first session directly by clicking the button below. I can’t wait to work with you.

Schedule your first therapy session today and start prioritizing you.