Fees & Insurance · Palo Alto & California Telehealth

What it costs
to begin.

Leela Mental Health believes financial clarity is part of respectful care. Below you will find transparent session rates, insurance options, and answers to the questions most people carry before their first appointment.

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Session Rates

Transparent pricing.

Leela Mental Health offers two fee tiers, sessions with associate therapists working under clinical supervision, and sessions with fully licensed therapists. A Good Faith Estimate is provided before your first session, as required by the No Surprises Act.

Rates shown reflect the fee you pay directly. Leela Mental Health is an out-of-network provider — see insurance options below.

Associate Therapists

Supervised Practice

Sessions conducted under clinical supervision of licensed therapist, by an associate clinician

38 to 52 minutes session
From $150 – $180

53 to 75 minutes session From $200- 230

Rates apply to individual, couples, and family sessions and are set by session length. Any session within a range is billed at the same rate.Contact us to help us find the right services for you and your family.

Fully Licensed Therapists

Licensed Practice

Rate within range reflects the therapist’s area of expertise, and service type.

38 to 52 minutes session
$210 – $350

53 to 75 minutes session
$280 – $410

Leela Mental Health complies with the federal No Surprises Act. If you are paying out of pocket or are uninsured, you have the right to a written Good Faith Estimate of expected costs before your first session. This requirement does not apply to clients using EAP benefits or billing through insurance. Questions about fees are always welcome — please call (650) 206-9448 or email information@leelamentalhealth.com. Payments are processed through a HIPAA-compliant client portal and we accept all major credit cards and HSA/FSA cards.

Insurance & Payment

Understanding your options.

Leela Mental Health is primarily an out-of-network provider. Many PPO insurance plans offer partial reimbursement for out-of-network mental health services. Leela Mental Health also participates in select EAP and student health plans.

Out-of-Network (OON)

PPO Reimbursement

If you have a PPO insurance plan, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement for sessions at Leela Mental Health. You pay your session fee directly and receive a detailed superbill to submit to your insurer. Call the member services number on your insurance card before your first appointment and ask specifically about your out-of-network mental health benefits and deductible.

Employee Assistance Program

Lyra Health EAP — In-Network

Leela Mental Health is an in-network provider for Lyra Health EAP with selected clinicians. If your employer offers Lyra Health benefits, you may access sessions at no cost to you. Confirm eligibility with your HR department and request authorization through Lyra Health before booking.

Student Health Insurance

Wellfleet SHIP ( Stanford University Only)

Leela Mental Health, has specific therapists who accepts the Stanford student health insurance plan administered by Wellfleet. Please contact the practice before scheduling to verify current coverage and authorization requirements — plan details are subject to change.

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Accepted payment methods

All major credit and debit cards

HSA cards (Health Savings Account)

FSA cards (Flexible Spending Account)

Lyra Health EAP — in-network, no direct cost to eligible clients

Wellfleet SHIP for Stanford students. Call to verify coverage before booking.

Superbill provided for PPO out-of-network claims

All payments are processed through a HIPAA-compliant client portal. Payment is due at the time of service.

Call your insurer first

Call the member services number on the back of your insurance card and ask:

Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?

What is my out-of-network deductible, and how much have I met?

What percentage does the plan reimburse after the deductible?

Is there a session limit per year?

Does my plan reimburse 90-minute sessions (CPT 90847)?

CPT codes to reference when you call:

Code
Service

90837
Individual therapy · 53+ mins

90834
Individual therapy · 38 – 45 mins

90847
Family/couples · with client

90846
Family therapy · without client

CPT codes are provided for your reference when calling your insurer. Actual billing codes are determined by your therapist at time of service based on the service rendered.

Call to Discuss Your Coverage

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions people carry
before they begin.

Leela Mental Health is asked these questions often.

About Our Approach

What does culturally informed therapy mean at Leela Mental Health?

Leela Mental Health integrates South Asian, East Asian, and multicultural contexts — including immigration experiences, intergenerational dynamics, community expectations, and identity navigation — directly into clinical care. Therapists at Leela hold the full picture of a client’s cultural world without reducing it to a single narrative or a checklist of assumptions. The practice also offers affirming support for LGBTQ+ individuals navigating identity within their cultural and family contexts.

Does Leela Mental Health offer therapy in Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Cantonese, Mandarin and Spanish?

Yes. Sessions are available in English, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Canotonse, Mandarin and Spanish currently. For many clients, the ability to move between languages mid-session, or to speak primarily in their first language shifts the quality of the therapeutic relationship significantly.

What is the difference between a therapist and a psychiatrist?

A licensed therapist — such as an LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) or an LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor) — is trained in talk-based and evidence-based approaches including EMDR, CBT, and DBT. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) who specializes in psychiatric medication management. Therapists at Leela Mental Health hold LMFT and/or LPCC licenses and do not prescribe medication.

Leela Mental Health collaborates systemically with psychiatrists, school counselors, and primary care physicians when a coordinated care approach best serves the client’s wellbeing.

What concerns does Leela Mental Health address?

Leela Mental Health provides therapy for anxiety, panic, depression, trauma and post-traumatic stress, ADHD, OCD, grief, cultural identity questions, intergenerational family conflict, IVF and fertility-related emotional support, postpartum adjustment, and relational and family dynamics. The practice serves adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families in Palo Alto and across California via HIPAA-compliant telehealth.

Getting Started

How do I know if I need therapy?

You do not need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Leela Mental Health works with people who are carrying something they are ready to name — whether that is anxiety, a difficult transition, relationship tension, grief, identity questions, or simply a sense that something in their current chapter is not working.

How do I schedule my first appointment?

You can reach Leela Mental Health by by email at information@leelamentalhealth.com, or through the online booking link on this website. Leela Mental Health typically responds within 48 hours.

What happens in the first therapy session?

Your first session at Leela Mental Health is a collaborative intake conversation. You and your therapist will discuss what brought you to therapy, your personal and family history, your cultural context, and what you are hoping to explore. There are no scripts and no checklists — the first session is about building the relationship and establishing a shared understanding of where you are and what kind of work feels right.

Does Leela Mental Health offer telehealth?

Yes. Leela Mental Health offers secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth therapy for clients residing in California. In-person sessions are available at the Palo Alto office at 220 California Ave, Suite 105, Palo Alto, CA 94306. Telehealth is available to clients anywhere in California. In-person sessions are at the Palo Alto office.

Fees, Insurance & Payment

What are your session fees?

Leela Mental Health has two fee tiers. Sessions with an associate clinician run $150 to $180 for 50 minutes of individual therapy, and $200 to $230 for a 75-minute couples or family session. Sessions with a licensed clinician run $210 to $350 for individual therapy and $280 to $410 for couples or family. Where a session falls in the range depends on the clinician and the type of work. A written Good Faith Estimate is provided before your first session.

Is there a lower-cost or sliding scale option?

Sessions with an associate clinician start at $150. The lower rate reflects supervised status rather than a different standard of care. Associates work under the supervision of a licensed clinician and use the same methods as the rest of the practice. Call the practice to talk through your situation.

Does Leela Mental Health accept insurance?

Leela Mental Health does not bill insurance companies directly. The practice is an out-of-network provider. However, many PPO insurance plans include out-of-network mental health benefits — meaning your insurer may reimburse a portion of your session fee after you submit a superbill. Leela Mental Health also accepts Lyra Health EAP (in-network) and Cardinal Care administered by Wellfleet (Stanford student plan). Contact your insurance carrier before your first appointment to understand your specific out-of-network benefits.

My insurance only covers 90 to 75-minute sessions. What happens with a 50- or 90-minute session?

Some insurance plans limit reimbursement to specific session durations. If your plan only covers 90-minute sessions (billed under CPT 90834) or 60-minute sessions (CPT 90837), your insurer will reimburse only up to that code’s allowed amount — regardless of the actual session length or fee. The balance remains your responsibility.

Leela Mental Health therapists bill using the CPT code that most accurately reflects time and service provided. For a 90-minute couples or family session, the applicable code is typically CPT 90847. Before your first appointment, call your insurer and ask: “If I see an out-of-network therapist for a 90-minute couples session billed under CPT 90847, what is my reimbursement rate and deductible?” Does my plan reimburse 75-minute sessions, billed as CPT 90847?

Do you accept Lyra Health EAP?

Leela Mental Health accepts Lyra Health EAP for individual therapy with the Clinical Director. If your employer offers Lyra, confirm eligibility with your HR department and request authorization through Lyra before booking. What the plan covers is set by your employer.

Do you accept Stanford student health insurance?

Leela Mental Health accepts Cardinal Care, the Stanford student health insurance plan administered by Wellfleet. Please contact the practice before scheduling to verify current coverage and authorization requirements — plan details are subject to change each enrollment year.

What is a superbill and how do I use it?

A superbill is an itemized receipt for therapy services that contains the clinical and billing information required for you to submit an out-of-network insurance claim. Leela Mental Health provides superbills on request. You submit the superbill to your insurance company, and your insurer processes the claim according to your specific out-of-network mental health benefits. Reimbursement amounts vary by plan and are not guaranteed — contact your insurer in advance to understand your deductible and reimbursement rate.

Can I use my HSA or FSA for therapy?

Yes. Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards are accepted at Leela Mental Health. Therapy is generally a qualified medical expense under IRS guidelines. Payments are processed through a HIPAA-compliant client portal.

What is a Good Faith Estimate?

Under the federal No Surprises Act, clients who are uninsured or paying out of pocket (self-pay) have the right to receive a written Good Faith Estimate of the expected cost of services before their first session. Leela Mental Health provides this document to all eligible clients as required by law. This requirement does not apply to clients using EAP benefits or submitting to insurance. Read the full Good Faith Estimate notice →

Out-of-network benefits

Check what your plan may cover.

PPO out-of-network plans | Not for Lyra Health EAP | Not for Wellfleet SHIP.

IMPORTANT NOTICES
– Estimates only. What you get back depends on your deductible, your out-of-pocket maximum, and your coinsurance rate. Confirm with your insurer.
– This tool does not apply to Lyra Health EAP or to Wellfleet SHIP, and it is not a Good Faith Estimate.
– Leela does not bill insurers. Clients receive a superbill and submit claims independently. Reimbursement is never guaranteed.
– Not a Good Faith Estimate. Separate from the GFE required under the No Surprises Act. Read the GFE notice →
– Email information@leelamentalhealth.com
– Third-party tool. Provided by Thrizer, Inc. Leela Mental Health does not receive what you enter. Thrizer’s privacy policy.
– California only. Licensed professionals. Out-of-state plans may not cover California-licensed services.

Therapy Methods & Evidence-Based Care

What therapy approaches does Leela Mental Health use?

Leela Mental Health uses evidence-based approaches tailored to the individual. Core modalities include Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety and depression, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for emotional regulation and distress tolerance, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD, family systems approaches for relational work. Treatment is never one-size-fits-all — the approach is shaped by the person, not the diagnosis.

What is EMDR?

EMDR is a structured therapy approach for trauma and post-traumatic stress. It uses bilateral stimulation, usually guided eye movements, while a client holds a targeted memory in mind, so the memory can be processed rather than replayed. The World Health Organization and the American Psychological Association both recognize it as an effective treatment for trauma. At Leela Mental Health, EMDR is provided by the Clinical Director and is used when it fits the treatment plan.

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy — CBT — is one of the most extensively researched forms of psychotherapy. It works by identifying and shifting the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors — particularly the patterns that maintain anxiety, depression, or distress. At Leela Mental Health, CBT is adapted to the client’s cultural context and lived experience rather than applied as a fixed protocol.

What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy — DBT — is an evidence-based approach that builds skills in four areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT was originally developed for people navigating intense emotional experiences and has since been adapted for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, and relationship patterns. Leela Mental Health incorporates DBT skills as part of individualized treatment when clinically appropriate.

How does Leela Mental Health approach family and couples therapy?

Leela Mental Health approaches family and couples work through a family systems lens — attending to the patterns, roles, and relational histories that shape how people move within their closest relationships. The practice holds particular fluency in intergenerational dynamics, cultural expectations within South Asian and East Asian family systems, and the specific pressures that arise when family members are navigating identity, immigration, or life-stage transitions at different paces.

Confidentiality & Safety

Is therapy at Leela Mental Health confidential?

Yes. All therapy at Leela Mental Health is strictly confidential, protected by HIPAA and California law. Your therapist will not share information about your sessions without your written consent. Your therapist will explain the narrow, legally defined exceptions during your first session — these include situations involving imminent risk of harm to yourself or others, suspected child or elder abuse, and certain court orders.

What is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing — EMDR — is a structured, evidence-based therapy approach designed to help the brain process and integrate distressing memories, particularly those related to trauma and post-traumatic stress. It uses bilateral stimulation (typically guided eye movements) while the client holds a targeted memory in mind. EMDR is recognized by the World Health Organization and the American Psychological Association as an effective treatment for trauma. Moitreyee Chowdhury is EMDR Trained and incorporates it into treatment when clinically appropriate.

What do I do if I am in a mental health crisis?

Leela Mental Health is not a crisis or emergency service. If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a psychiatric emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

For immediate crisis support: call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week), or text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. Additional community resources are listed at leelamentalhealth.com/resources.

Do you work with children, teens, and young adults?

Leela Mental Health provides therapy for children, adolescents, college students, and young adults, as well as the families and parents navigating these stages alongside them. Youth therapy at Leela is approached with particular attention to cultural expectations, academic and social pressures, identity development, and family dynamics — especially within South Asian, East Asian, and immigrant family contexts.

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MEET THE TEAM

This is your scene. You get to write what comes next.

Good Faith Estimate: You have the right to a written estimate of what your care will cost before your first session. Read the full Good Faith Estimate notice. Read the full notice ➞

What it costs to begin.