Question 1

Are you accepting new families?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we are accepting new families whether they are children, adolescents, adults, or couples for therapy sessions.  We have several therapists at the Talk-a-While Therapy Center and will match you with a therapist based on their specialty area and availability. 
If you have a specific preference and we can’t accommodate you right away, we will put your name on our waiting list and contact you as soon as an appointment becomes available.

Question 2

How much does therapy or other services cost?

Accepted Answer

Our rates vary depending on the specific services provided.  Please go to Our Rates page for additional information.

If you arrive late for your session, your therapist will see you for the remaining minutes of your scheduled session time - please be aware that you will be charged the full amount of the session block given this time was blocked and reserved for you only.

Question 3

What makes Talk-a-While services unique?

Accepted Answer

High quality services: Our team consists of licensed and experienced therapists and psychologists.  While we value the education and on-site training of interns, we do not provide any of our services through interns under supervision.  All our psychotherapy and group sessions are led by licensed clinicians.  Psychological testing and assessment work is also managed and completed from start to finish by a licensed psychologist.   
Ease of Access:  We are structured to provide comprehensive mental health services for the entire family unit at our location.  Often, families seek out multiple services with various providers.  For example, a family may need both individual child therapy and couple’s therapy.  Typically, this family would need to obtain child therapy at one site and the couples work at a different location.  At Talk-a-While, we are able to provide both services.
Specialization in Child Therapy and Special Needs:  Many private practice therapists or centers do not work with young children or families that have a member with special needs.  We understand the plight of these families and hire staff that can comfortably work with clients that have been formally diagnosed or show signs of ADHD, Autism, genetic disorders or conditions, and neurodevelopmental conditions, amongst others. 
Professional Delivery of Service
: Our therapists focus on providing services within their scope of practice and clinical expertise.  While our clinicians have knowledge and understand adjunctive services like occupational therapy and speech therapy, we pride ourselves in offering the best services anywhere for the services that our within our professional scope.  The patient is best served when professionals provide the care that they were trained for: mental health and social skills developed by mental health professionals, occupational skills developed by occupational therapists, and speech services provided by speech pathologists.  We may find a patient needs occupational, speech, or other services and we will provide appropriate referrals to the specialized professionals that will best meet the patient's needs.

Question 4

What is your cancellation and missed sessions policy?

Accepted Answer

Continuity and consistency of attendance are the best predictors of whether therapy will be effective for you, your child, and/or your family. Your session spot is reserved for you and your therapist relies on your attendance to do their work.

If you cancel a scheduled appointment within 24 hours – 48 hours, we charge 50% of the session fee (e.g. session fee is $220, the cancellation fee will be $110).

If you cancel a scheduled appointment less than 24 hours before your session, we charge 100% of the fee (e.g. session fee is $220, the cancellation fee will be $220).

“No show” policy - If the client fails to show up for a scheduled session, we charge 100% of the fee.

Frequent Missed Sessions including advanced cancellations and/or no shows:
We allow a maximum of 4 missed sessions (including advanced cancellations and/or no shows) every 6 months to ensure continuity and consistency in care.  After 3 missed sessions, your clinician will discuss with you whether or not continuing treatment is appropriate at this time.

*You should note that insurance companies generally do not reimburse for missed or late cancellation appointments, so it will be your responsibility to pay these fees.

Question 5

Do you accept insurance? Are you in-network? Do you enter into Single Case Agreements with insurance providers?

Accepted Answer

This practice is not part of any in-network insurance panels and does not participate in Medicare.  Our practice is “out-of-network,” which means you pay for your therapy sessions after your session is completed.  If you have mental health benefits that allow you to see an out-of-network therapist (often called a PPO), you may be able to receive partial reimbursement for therapy services.  We find that most insurance companies reimburse our clients between 40 - 80% of the cost.  It is our center's policy that we provide you a monthly superbill at the beginning of every month through your client portal which you may submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. 
 
To learn about the differences between In-Network and Out-of-Network therapy services, and what to ask your private health insurance company, please click here.  
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Please contact your insurance provider prior to starting sessions to determine the specifics of your coverage such as the "allowable amount", and requirements because some insurance companies require pre-approval, a valid mental health diagnosis, limit coverage by diagnosis, procedure code or number of visits, and may require that you meet a deductible before they begin to reimburse you.  
 
Talk-a-While and our staff does not enter into Single Case Agreements with health insurance companies.

Question 6

Where can I find the information my insurer needs to submit a claim?

Accepted Answer

Please contact your insurer to obtain the specific claim form you must submit for out of network behavioral services.   The claim form will ask for specific information needed by the insurer. We will provide you a superbill at the beginning of the month for the previous months' sessions that you can find in your client portal to download.  Please ensure you check with your insurer about all services you may receive as we cannot guarantee that your insurer will reimburse you for all services provided (each insurance plan is different).

All superbills will contain the details of the services provided-- services provided will have a related CPT code (e.g. Individual therapy is coded as 90832/90834/90837 depending on length of session), a diagnosis in ICD format, and the Center/Therapist information.  We also may offer ancillary services like care coordination with third parties and preparation of treatment letters/letters of support for accommodations and these are typically coded 90887 and 90889.  Please be aware that many insurers do not reimburse for these ancillary services.

The following is information needed on claim forms can be found in your superbill:

CPT is the code for the specific behavioral service that was provided to you on the date of your appointment. One example is CPT 90834, which is the code used for an individual therapy session.

Place of Service Code - claim forms may ask where the services took place.   POS code "11" means it took place at our Center.   If your session was a telehealth/virtual session at your home, the POS code is "02"; although, this service code will be changing and insurers will be distinguishing where the telehealth/virtual session took place (at home versus outside of home) sometime in 2022. Telehealth sessions at your home will be now coded as "10", and telehealth sessions coded as "02" will mean telehealth provided other than in patient's home.  "02" will only be applicable if your session takes place a designated facility outside of your home.  Please contact your insurer as this could lead to a denial of reimbursement/coverage.

TALKAWHILE, Child & Family Therapy Center, PC Information: 
Tax ID/EIN No:  83-3603374
NPI: 1720548894

Therapist Specific Information:

Jessica Friedman, ACSW (Supervised by Karina Tamayo, LMFT)
License No. 124239, NPI: 1265265987

John Gianopolus, AMFT (no longer at Talk-a-While)
License No. 134724, NPI: 1023706561

Vivian Ilene Gilmore, LMFT (no longer at Talk-a-While)
License No. 132460, NPI: 1245607738

Amelia Glogowski, LCSW
License No. 87881, NPI: 1104238393

Cynthia Graebe, AMFT (Supervised by Amelia Glogowski, LCSW)
License No. 121485, NPI: 1235945569

Cassandra Monfared, LMFT
License No. 150983, NPI: 1710675442

Gabriel Perfecto, LMFT
License No. 143268, NPI: 1336660844

Ann Suzuki, LCSW
License No. 16712, NPI: 1538221916

Danna Torres, LMFT
License No. 123525, NPI: 1023568276

Karina Tamayo, LMFT
License No. 93557, NPI: 1215256755

Zoila Wichmann, LMFT
License No. 113586, NPI: 1194273748

If you need additional information, please contact us at admin@talkawhile.org

Question 7

Do you accept credit cards for payment?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  We do accept Visa and Mastercard.  Our Center will securely maintain your credit card information to bill for therapy sessions and other professional services.  We also accept checks made payable to Talk-a-While, Child and Family Therapy Center PC.

Question 8

How often will I have sessions?

Accepted Answer

Sessions are generally scheduled once a week.  We ask all families to commit to weekly therapy for at least 2-3 months to ensure that you and your therapist are able to spend important time discussing your challenges and building the needed trust and connection. 
Your therapist will collaboratively work with you to determine the frequency of sessions and may suggest more intensive therapy depending on the nature and severity of your concerns, and the type of therapeutic session.  Frequency of visits may also be reduced as progress is made toward reaching goals, and graduating.

Question 9

How do I contact you to set up an appointment?

Accepted Answer

Please call us to set up an appointment or ask us any questions by contacting us at 408-962-9267 or click here to set up your initial intake appointment online.  
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We are located near the intersection of Highways 85 and 17 at:
 
2577 Samaritan Drive, Suite 715
San Jose, CA 95124

Unique Families, Unique Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions by Clients

- FAQs -