Question 1

How do I know if Lifespan is the right fit for me or my family?

Accepted Answer

The best way to find out is to schedule an initial consultation. During that call, we learn about your situation, answer your questions, and give you an honest sense of whether our practice is well-suited to what you are facing. If we are not the right fit, we will tell you and, where possible, point you toward someone who is.

Question 2

Do you offer same-week appointments?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes. Same-week availability depends on the specific clinician and service type. Individual therapy slots open up frequently; evaluation appointments require more lead time due to their length. Contact us and we will give you an accurate picture of current wait times, usually within one business day of your inquiry.

Question 3

Do you see children? What ages do you work with?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We work with children as young as three years old. Our child and adolescent clinicians are trained in play therapy, parent-child interaction therapy, and developmentally appropriate CBT, among other approaches. We also offer family sessions and parent-guidance sessions alongside individual child therapy when clinically indicated.

Question 4

Can I do telehealth if I live outside Westlake Village?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer HIPAA-compliant video therapy for residents anywhere in California. Many clients in communities like Camarillo, Moorpark, Calabasas, and Agoura Hills choose telehealth for convenience without sacrificing the quality of their care. You will need a private space and a reliable internet connection; we take care of the rest.

Question 5

What is the difference between a therapist and a psychologist? Does it matter which one I see?

Accepted Answer

Psychologists (PsyD or PhD) complete doctoral-level training and are licensed to conduct formal psychological testing and assessments, in addition to therapy. Licensed therapists (LCSW, LMFT, LPCC) hold master's-level training and provide excellent therapy but generally do not conduct formal evaluations. At Lifespan, the distinction matters primarily if you need an assessment, for everything else, the quality of the therapeutic relationship and the clinician's specific training in your area of concern matters more than the credential.

Question 6

How much does therapy cost?

Accepted Answer

Most clients use insurance, which keeps out-of-pocket costs low. We are in-network with most major plans. For out-of-network or self-pay clients, call (805) 852-5039 and we will walk you through transparent pricing and superbill options for PPO reimbursement.

Question 7

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We are in-network with Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, Optum/UnitedHealthcare, Magellan, MHN, and Tricare West (select clinicians). Coverage varies by clinician. If your plan is not listed, we provide a detailed monthly superbill so you can seek out-of-network reimbursement through your PPO.

Question 8

What is a superbill and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

A superbill is an itemized receipt that includes the CPT billing codes, diagnosis codes, dates of service, and provider credentials that your insurance company needs to process an out-of-network reimbursement claim. We generate these monthly and send them directly to you. You submit the superbill to your insurer, and they reimburse you based on your out-of-network mental health benefits. Many PPO plans reimburse 50-80% of the allowed amount after the deductible is met.

Question 9

Is there a sliding scale?

Accepted Answer

We do not publish sliding-scale rates online. If cost is a concern, call us at (805) 852-5039 and we will walk you through your options.

Question 10

How long does therapy typically last?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you are working on. Focused, symptom-specific therapy, for example, treating a specific phobia or mild situational anxiety, often concludes in 8-16 sessions. More complex concerns, including trauma, personality-level patterns, or long-standing relationship dynamics, often benefit from a longer course of work. Your clinician will be upfront about their clinical assessment and will revisit goals with you regularly.

Question 11

How often will I meet with my therapist?

Accepted Answer

Most clients start with weekly sessions, which provides the consistency needed for early progress. As goals are met, many clients taper to biweekly or monthly maintenance sessions. Frequency is always a collaborative decision between you and your clinician, we adjust as your life and clinical needs change.

Question 12

What therapy approaches do you use?

Accepted Answer

Our clinicians are trained across a range of evidence-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), psychodynamic therapy, play therapy, and parent-child interaction therapy. No single approach fits every client; your clinician will draw on the methods best supported by research for your specific concerns.

Question 13

What if I do not connect with my therapist?

Accepted Answer

A good therapeutic relationship is not just a bonus, it is a core mechanism of effective therapy. If after a few sessions you feel the fit is not right, please tell us. We take that feedback seriously, not personally, and will work to match you with another clinician at Lifespan whose style is a better fit. Your care does not stop because of a mismatch.

Question 14

Do you offer therapy in languages other than English?

Accepted Answer

Several of our clinicians provide therapy in Armenian and Spanish in addition to English. Please mention your language preference when you contact us and we will do our best to match you with a clinician who can work with you in your preferred language.

Question 15

What is a psychological evaluation and why would I need one?

Accepted Answer

A psychological evaluation is a comprehensive assessment, using standardized, normed tests, that clarifies diagnosis, cognitive profile, and functional strengths and challenges. Common reasons include: understanding why a child is struggling in school, diagnosing ADHD or a learning disability, ruling out or confirming autism spectrum disorder, documenting a disability for test accommodations, and providing a clinical baseline before psychiatric medication. The evaluation produces a written report with specific findings and recommendations.

Question 16

What standardized tests qualify for accommodation requests on the SAT, ACT, or MCAT?

Accepted Answer

Testing agencies require documentation from a licensed psychologist or other qualified professional, including cognitive, achievement, and attention measures appropriate to the referral question. Lifespan's assessment clinicians are trained in the specific documentation standards required by College Board, ACT, MCAT, LSAC, and GMAC. We tailor the battery to the requesting organization's guidelines.

Question 17

How far in advance should I schedule an accommodation evaluation?

Accepted Answer

As early as possible. College Board typically takes 7 weeks to review accommodation requests once submitted. MCAT and LSAT applications require 60 or more days for review. The evaluation itself and report writing typically take 3-4 weeks from the start of testing. Plan on a minimum of 3-4 months before your test date to allow adequate time.

Question 18

Can an evaluation from Lifespan support an IEP or 504 plan at school?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our evaluation reports meet the documentation standards required by school districts for IEP and 504 plan eligibility determinations. We include all required diagnostic codes, functional impact statements, and specific accommodation recommendations.

Question 19

What is confidential and what is not?

Accepted Answer

Everything you share in therapy is confidential, with legally defined exceptions. Your clinician is required to break confidentiality if there is imminent risk of serious harm to yourself or others, if there is reasonable suspicion of child, elder, or dependent adult abuse, or if a court orders the release of records. Outside of these situations, nothing is shared with anyone, including family members, employers, or insurance companies, without your written consent. Your clinician will review these limits with you at your first session.

Question 20

Can my insurance company access my therapy records?

Accepted Answer

When you use insurance benefits, your insurer may request clinical information, typically a diagnosis code and treatment summary, to authorize continued treatment. Lifespan provides the minimum necessary information required for billing. We do not share session notes or detailed clinical content without your explicit written authorization. If you prefer complete privacy, paying out-of-pocket keeps your records entirely outside the insurance system.

Question 21

How do I request my records?

Accepted Answer

To request a copy of your records, submit a written authorization form to our office, available in person or by request via email at info@lifespanfps.com. We process record requests within 15 business days in compliance with California law. A nominal copying fee may apply for records exceeding 25 pages.

All your questions answered

What is a psychological evaluation?

What questions can testing answer?

What should I expect from a psychological evaluation?

What if I (or my child) have received previous testing?

How can I (or my child) prepare for the appointment?

Do you take insurance? What about cash pay?

Ready to get started?

Get in touch with Lifespan today.