Common questions, answered

You can reach me anytime via my website contact form or by email. Email: therapy@drshaida.com

I can also be reached at my business phone number: (949) 438-0714. I will do my best to respond quickly, usually within one business day.

Working with me is collaborative, warm and tailored for you. I create a safe space to explore your experiences, emotions, and relationships, helping you reconnect with yourself in meaningful ways. My approach is insight-driven, grounded in research, and focused on supporting growth and healing. 

My practice does not contract with insurance companies, and I am considered an out-of-network provider. This allows for greater privacy and flexibility. Payment is made at the time of each session. If you have out-of-network benefits, I can provide documentation (a superbill) that you may submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. Additionally, for those not submitting claims to their insurance, A Good Faith Estimate will be provided upon scheduling or upon request.

By request, I will provide a monthly billing statement (superbill receipt) that can be used to submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Most PPO plans will accept this type of claim and depending on your benefits you may receive a payment to help with the cost of therapy. 

Therapy is most effective when we meet regularly. I typically encourage weekly sessions. Meeting regularly helps build the therapeutic relationship and creates the continuity needed for meaningful work. Research consistently shows that the relationship is one of the most important ingredients in successful therapy. With that said, I understand there is sometimes reason to make an exception and I am more than willing to discuss this further with you.

Your safety and privacy are extremely important to me, and I take the responsibility of protecting them very seriously, both as an ethical commitment and a legal duty.

The confidentiality of therapy belongs to you. This means that, in most situations, I cannot share information about our work with anyone unless you give written permission. There are a few legal exceptions to this rule, which are outlined below.

• If I suspect child abuse, elder abuse, or abuse of a dependent adult, I am required by law to report it to the appropriate authorities.

• If a client makes a credible threat of serious harm toward another person, I am required to notify law enforcement and take steps to warn the potential victim.

• If a client appears to be at serious risk of harming themselves, I will first try to work collaboratively with them to ensure their safety. If that isn’t possible, I may need to take additional steps permitted by law to help protect them.

If you have questions about confidentiality or how this works, please feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to talk about it.