My Practice
Getting started with therapy can feel like higher algebra. There are lots of considerations including a therapist's credentials, location, insurance, rates, hours... not to mention your personal comfort level with him or her. I’ll try to provide answers to the most common questions about my practice so that you can feel as informed as possible about seeking therapy with me.
Telehealth Only
After 25 years of in-person work in San Francisco and Marin County, I now provide telehealth therapy only. You and I will first need to determine if this modality is likely to be clinically effective. If we decide it is, I will check in from time to time to determine if video or phone sessions are helping to facilitate the progress that you desire. My licenses allow me to work with anyone who resides in the states of California, North Carolina, and Washington. Please inquire if you’re interested in telehealth therapy.
Availability
As of July, 2023, I live on the east coast. My practice remains largely based in the Bay Area. I am in the office Tuesday through Friday. For west coast early birds, I offer before-work appointments beginning at 6:30 am PT (9:30 am ET). And my latest appointments start at 1:00 pm PT (4:00 pm ET).
It’s a difficult decision to reach out for help. That’s why I return all phone calls and emails. If my practice is full, our schedules don’t align, or your concerns aren’t in the scope of my expertise, I will provide you a referral.
Rates
Please contact me for my current fee. My fee reflects the average for Bay Area psychotherapists who are highly trained with many years of experience. I understand that psychotherapy is an investment and that the Bay Area is an expensive place to live, so I do offer a limited number of reduced fee slots, especially for those needing or wanting to meet for multiple sessions per week.
I invite you to tell me about your particular circumstances and if I cannot accommodate your financial needs, I will try my best to find a referral who can.
Insurance
If your health insurance carrier allows you to choose an out-of-network provider (generally a PPO or POS plan), I can provide you with a monthly statement of services or superbill so that you can seek reimbursement. You may want to check with your carrier to verify coverage for out-of-network providers and for rates of reimbursement.
Like many other qualified mental health professionals, I have elected not to join any health insurance panels. That’s because the reimbursement rates are low, the paperwork is time consuming, and the coverage is limited and tightly managed, making involvement of the insurance company difficult for both you and me. I acknowledge that this decision prevents my services from being more broadly accessible.
Get Started Today
Please feel free to contact me at 415-771-5671 or email via the location contact link below. I offer a free 20-minute phone consultation so we can assess your needs and circumstances and determine whether it makes sense for us to set up an initial session. If not, I will provide you with referrals.
Renée Spencer is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California, North Carolina, and Washington. She has worked in mental health in San Francisco and Marin County for over 20 years.