I am considered an out-of-network provider, as I am not contracted with any insurance companies.  The fee is $260 per 50-minute session. Extended and/or Out of Office sessions can be arranged when appropriate.

Payment is due at the time of service and may be made by credit card or check.  I can provide an itemized statement upon request, which you may submit to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement.

If you plan to seek reimbursement through your insurance, please contact your carrier directly and ask about your out-of-network behavioral health benefits, including your deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, and what percentage of the session fee is covered once your deductible has been met.

I do not offer a sliding scale option, but I can attempt to help connect you with other providers if my rate is not aligned with your desired fee.

I work exclusively with adult individuals, allowing me to provide focused, personalized care within this population. I do not provide therapy for children, couples, or families.

To request an appointment or inquire about services, please email me at email@michellelopezphd.com or call 619-800-1566.  When you reach out, please include your name, the best way to contact you, and whether I have your permission to leave a detailed voicemail.  I’ll respond as soon as possible and look forward to connecting with you!

Your appointment time is reserved specifically for you.  If you need to reschedule or cancel, please notify me at least 24 hours in advance.  Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice will be charged the full session fee.

Prior to our first session, I will send intake paperwork and brief questionnaires to help me better understand your background, concerns, and goals. I review this information in advance so we can use our time together more efficiently.

The first one to two sessions are typically focused on conducting a thorough assessment, gathering important history, and identifying your priorities for therapy. While many clients are eager to begin working on concerns right away, I believe that taking the time to fully understand your experiences and needs allows for a more effective and personalized treatment approach. Together, we will develop a treatment plan tailored to your goals, with treatment interventions often beginning by the second or third session.

I help clients move beyond the limitations that anxiety, panic, OCD, and phobias can create in their lives. Therapy with me is collaborative, meaning we work together to better understand your experiences, identify patterns, and build skills that support your goals. I strive to create a space that feels warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental while also providing honest feedback and gentle challenges when they may help foster growth. Together, we work to reduce avoidance, build confidence, and develop practical skills that can be applied long after therapy ends. Clients often report feeling more capable of facing situations that once felt impossible, experiencing less interference from anxiety in their daily lives, and reconnecting with important relationships, activities, and goals. My aim is not only to help you manage symptoms, but to support you in creating lasting changes that allow you to participate more fully in the life you want to live.

While anxiety disorders often occur alongside other mental health concerns, my practice is primarily focused on the treatment of anxiety-related conditions, including panic disorder, OCD, phobias, health anxiety, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and related concerns. To ensure clients receive the most appropriate care for their needs, I may not be the best fit for individuals whose primary concern is major depressive disorder, active suicidal ideation, self-harm behaviors, substance use disorders, Schizophrenia spectrum disorders, or significant emotion dysregulation.

For individuals experiencing chronic emotion regulation difficulties, including Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), treatments such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) are often considered the gold standard and may be more appropriate than my specialized approach. If I believe another provider or treatment modality would better support your goals, I am happy to discuss referrals and help connect you with appropriate resources.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This practice does not provide 24/7 crisis services or emergency psychiatric care. If you are a current client experiencing a mental health emergency or need immediate support outside of scheduled sessions, please use one of the resources above. If you are at immediate risk of harming yourself or someone else, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining how much your mental health care will cost.

Under federal law, health care providers are required to give clients who are uninsured or not using insurance an estimate of expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy.

You can request a Good Faith Estimate before scheduling a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you may dispute the bill.

Be sure to save a copy or picture of your estimate.
For more information, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises