Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About Therapy

Do you accept insurance?

Dr. Panicha McGuire is considered an out-of-network provider. Please check with your insurance provider whether you have out-of-network benefits. In most cases, your insurance card will say “PPO”. To use your out-of-network benefits, fees are due at time of service and you will be given a superbill (itemized receipt) to submit to your insurance for reimbursement. Reimbursement rates vary by insurance plan.

Questions you can ask your insurance include:

  • Do I have “out-of-network” benefits?
  • Are Telehealth therapy sessions covered?
  • Do I have a deductible? (This is the amount you would have to pay out-of-pocket before your insurance reimburses you)
  • How much will I be reimbursed (most insurance will give you a percentage)?

For clients who are unable to pay the full session fee upfront: I have partnered with Thrizer to handle the out-of-network process automatically for you. With Thrizer, you will only have to pay your co-insurance for our sessions, instead of paying the full fee and waiting for reimbursements. During the consultation process, we can help you verify if you have out-of-network benefits and how much your co-insurance would be.

There are many nuances about using your insurance for mental health care in the U.S. that you may not know about. For the pros/cons of using your insurance, check out this article.

How many sessions do I need?

Treatment length will depend on the individual. Each person’s circumstance and path in life are different so the length of therapy is customized for each individual’s goal. Treatment goals are created collaboratively and can be redefined or tailored based on progress. Contact Dr. Panicha McGuire today for a free 15-minute consultation to discuss your concerns.

Where is your office?

Dr. Panicha McGuire offers in-person therapy services in San Diego, CA on Mondays and Thursdays. Her office is conveniently located in Mission Valley at 1455 Frazee Road, Suite 500-#565, San Diego, CA 92108.

What is Telehealth?

Telehealth is the use of technology (video or audio calls) to provide therapy sessions. Telemental Health, Online Therapy, or Video Therapy are some other common terms. Dr. Panicha McGuire uses a HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliant platform to keep your information secure and private. Online therapy appointments allows you to receive quality care with convenience and comfortability.

Is Telehealth effective?

Telehealth has been around for quite some time, but has recently gained popularity as a way to increase access to services. Numerous studies have shown that Telehealth can be just as effective as in-person psychotherapy. A common concern is some clients feel that they may not be able to connect with a provider through a screen. Clients tend to find after their first session that it is not much different from in-person meetings. Telehealth allows you to focus on your mental health with convenience, and freedom to choose a provider who is a good fit rather than one that is near you.

What do I need for Telehealth sessions?

Online therapy appointments requires a device with audio/video (smart phone, computer, tablet), reliable internet, and a private uninterrupted space (home, office, etc.).

Can anyone be seen via Telehealth?

Our clinicians are licensed in the state of California; therefore, we can only provide services to individuals residing in California. Because mental health professionals are licensed by the state, therapy services cannot be provided to anyone residing outside of the state. International clients are considered on a case-by-case basis as laws around mental health practice varies depending on the country the client is located in.

What is a Good Faith Estimate?

The No Surprises Act (H.R. 133) include requirements for health care providers, facilities, health plans and insurers which are intended to prevent consumers (a.k.a. clients) from receiving unanticipated medical bills. You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost prior to initiating treatment or before your scheduled appointment.

Questions About Neurodivergent Profile Assessments

What is a Neurodivergent Profile Assessment?

A Neurodivergent Profile Assessment is a modified evaluation designed to help you gain a deeper understanding of your unique brain wiring, including ADHD, autism, sensory processing, and other neurodivergent traits. This evaluation provides a holistic look at how you engage with the world, helping you navigate your neurodivergent experience with greater clarity, confidence, and self-compassion. Learn more.

The Neurodivergent Profile Assessment is designed for individuals who are curious about their neurodivergent traits and want to better understand how they experience the world. It can also help identify related conditions like anxiety, depression, and sensory processing challenges, which often overlap with neurodivergence. This evaluation is valuable for anyone seeking clarity, including therapists and healthcare providers who wish to explore neurodivergent traits in their clients. Please note that this evaluation is not intended for state disability documentation and is not a comprehensive psychological or neuropsychological evaluation.

Does insurance cover the assessments?

Dr. Panicha McGuire is considered an out-of-network provider. Please check with your insurance provider whether you have out-of-network benefits. In most cases, your insurance card will say “PPO”. To use your out-of-network benefits, fees are due at time of service and you will be given a superbill (itemized receipt) to submit to your insurance for reimbursement. Reimbursement rates vary by insurance plan.

The billing codes used for the assessments are:

-90971 Diagnostic assessment portion which may include a biopsychosocial interview, a review of historical data, questionnaires, and other normed measures.

-90837 for the feedback session (90847 to include family, or 90846 without family)

You may ask your insurance provider if these codes are covered for out-of-network billing.

This assessment is priced at $850, making it more accessible than comprehensive psychological evaluations that typically range from $2,000 to $7,000. The fee includes a thorough report with neurodiversity-affirming recommendations and strategies tailored to your unique profile.

Questions About Continuing Education Program

Do the CEUs count for my license renewal?

Living Lotus Family Therapy, Inc. is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) to sponsor continuing education for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC), and Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEP). Continuing education courses offered are suitable for CA Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) license renewal. If you are from a different state, please check with your state regulatory board whether courses offered by BBS-approved or AAMFT/CAMFT-approved providers are accepted.

How are credit hours determined?

Living Lotus Family Therapy, Inc. will grant continuing education credit hours by adopting the principle that each continuing education credit is equivalent to one hour of instructional time. In this context, a continuing education hour is defined as a 60-minute hour. The awarding of continuing education credit will be exclusive to instructional time, and the calculation will exclude breaks, including lunch breaks. Our courses are structured to ensure that continuing education credit reflects the instructional content, with a minimum duration of one continuing education hour presented in a single block of time.

How do I receive credit for asynchronous distance learning?

Participants will have secure sign-in credentials. Continuous attendance will be ensured through interactive elements. To verify completion, participants must pass a post-test with a minimum of a 70% score. A post-test is not required if participants are completing a live and interactive distance-learning course with the provider.

Refund Policy for Live Trainings

Living Lotus Family Therapy, Inc. is committed to providing a fair and transparent refund process for our continuing education courses. To initiate a refund or cancellation, registrants must submit a request via email at drmcguire@livinglotustherapy.com or by contacting our office at (858) 522- 9415. Please include your name, course details, and the reason for the refund request.

Registrants are eligible for a full refund if the cancellation request is received at least 7 days before the scheduled course date. A 10% administrative fee will be assessed for cancellations made within 2 to 6 days of the course. Unfortunately, no refunds will be issued for cancellations made less than 24 hours before the course. Refunds, when applicable, will be processed within 3-5 business days from the date of the cancellation request. The refund will be issued in the same method as the original payment (e.g., credit card, bank transfer).

Living Lotus Family Therapy, Inc. reserves the right to cancel a course due to unforeseen circumstances. In such cases, registrants will receive a full refund.

Refund Policy for Self-Paced Distance Learning

Living Lotus Family Therapy, Inc. maintains a strict no-refund policy for digital distance learning courses. Once the participant has gained access to the course materials, no refunds will be issued, regardless of the reason for cancellation or withdrawal. Registrants are encouraged to thoroughly review the course details, including the syllabus and any provided previews, before enrolling in an asynchronous distance learning course.

By enrolling, participants acknowledge and agree to the no-refund policy for these specific courses. In exceptional cases of technical issues preventing access to the course, participants are advised to promptly contact drmcguire@livinglotustherapy.com or (858) 522-9415 for assistance. We are dedicated to resolving any technical challenges to ensure a positive learning experience.

What if I can’t attend a free training?

Living Lotus Family Therapy, Inc. is pleased to offer certain programs free of charge as part of our commitment to community engagement and professional development. As these programs have no associated fees, there is no refund policy applicable.

Participants who register for free programs and are unable to attend are kindly requested to inform us in advance if possible, allowing for better planning and resource allocation. This ensures that spots can be made available to other interested participants.

Grievance Policy

Stage 1: Submission

Grievances, including refund requests, complaints about course content, facilities, non-receipt of certificates, or other miscellaneous occurrences, shall be submitted via email to drmcguire@livinglotustherapy.com. An acknowledgment of receipt will be sent to the participant within 24 hours.

Stage 2: Review and Response

The Program Administrator will promptly review the grievance, aiming to provide a comprehensive response within 48 hours of receipt. In cases where additional time is needed for thorough investigation, the participant will be informed of the delay and provided with an estimated timeframe for resolution.

Stage 3: External Resolution

If the participant remains unsatisfied after Stage 2, they may escalate the grievance to CAMFT or Sky Mediation Center to address grievances impartially. The external resolution process will be conducted within 14 days, or within a timeframe determined by CAMFT or Sky Mediation Center, and the decision will be final.

Record Keeping: A detailed record of each grievance and its resolution will be maintained by the Program Administrator. These records will be reported to CAMFT in the initial and subsequent renewal applications.

Customized CE Workshops

Looking to provide your team or organization with specialized continuing education? I offer customized workshops for groups of any size, tailored to your unique goals and clinical focus areas. My vision is to make quality education accessible to everyone. No gatekeeping, no rigid barriers. I believe that every helper deserves great tools to better support their clients and community on their healing journey.

To honor this core value, I work closely with organizations to determine a flexible, collaborative fee structure. We’ll design a pricing plan that aligns with your budget and educational needs, while also ensuring the program remains sustainable. If you’re ready to invest in truly impactful professional development, contact me to discuss how we can bring high-quality, tailored training directly to your team.

Contact Today For a Free Consultation!

drmcguire@livinglotustherapy.com

(858) 522-9415 (text friendly!)