Palo Alto
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.
No surprises.

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 — the same evidence-based approaches, at a lower entry rate.

Individual Therapy · 50 minutes
From $180
Couples & Family Therapy · 90 minutes
$210

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Free 15-minute phone consultation — always included, no charge, no commitment.

Fully Licensed Therapists

Licensed Practice

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

Individual Therapy · 50 minutes
$200 – $350
Couples & Family Therapy · 90 minutes
$220 – $400
EMDR Extended Session · 80 minutes
Discussed at intake

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Free 15-minute phone consultation — always included, no charge, no commitment.

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. 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

Cardinal Care · Wellfleet SHIP

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.

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Accepted payment methods

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All major credit and debit cards
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HSA cards (Health Savings Account)
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FSA cards (Flexible Spending Account)
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Lyra Health EAP — in-network, no direct cost to eligible clients
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Cardinal Care (Wellfleet SHIP) — verify coverage before booking
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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:
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Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?
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What is my out-of-network deductible, and how much have I met?
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What percentage does the plan reimburse after the deductible?
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Is there a session limit per year?
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Does my plan reimburse 90-minute sessions (CPT 90847)?

CPT codes to reference when you call:

Code
Service
90837
Individual therapy · 60 min
90834
Individual therapy · 45 min
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. The answers are here so you can arrive at your first conversation already informed — and already a little less uncertain.
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. Sessions are available in English, Hindi, and Bengali.
Who is Moitreyee Chowdhury, and what is her role at Leela Mental Health?
Moitreyee Chowdhury is the founder of Leela Mental Health and a licensed clinician holding an LMFT (#121934) and LPCC (#9238) from the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. She is also EMDR Trained. Moitreyee founded Leela to create a practice with genuine cultural fluency for South Asian, East Asian, and multicultural communities — and to build a team that reflects that same depth of understanding. She conducts sessions in English, Hindi, and Bengali, and remains actively involved in the clinical direction of the practice. Leela Mental Health is growing, and additional therapist profiles will be listed on the Team page as the practice expands.
Does Leela Mental Health offer therapy in Hindi or Bengali?
Yes. Sessions are available in English, Hindi, and Bengali. 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. Please mention your language preference when you schedule your free 15-minute consultation.
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.
What does EMDR Trained mean for clients at Leela Mental Health?
Moitreyee Chowdhury has completed formal training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing — an evidence-based therapy approach widely used for trauma and post-traumatic stress. She is EMDR Trained, which is distinct from EMDR Certified, a separate advanced credentialing process. Her training equips her to offer EMDR as part of an individualized treatment plan when clinically appropriate.
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. The free 15-minute consultation is the clearest way to explore whether this practice is a good fit for what you are carrying right now.
How do I schedule my first appointment?

u can reach Leela Mental Health by phone at (650) 206-9448, by email at information@leelamentalhealth.com, or through the online booking link on this website. The first step is a free 15-minute phone consultation. 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 across the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, and throughout California.

Fees, Insurance & Payment
What are your session fees?
Leela Mental Health offers two tiers. Sessions with associate therapists (supervised) begin at $180 for a 50-minute individual session and $210 per 90-minute couples or family session. Sessions with fully licensed therapists range from $200 to $350 for individual therapy (50 minutes) and $220 to $400 for couples or family therapy (90 minutes), depending on time spent, area of expertise, and service type. A Good Faith Estimate is provided before your first session.
Is there a lower-cost or sliding scale option?
Sessions with associate therapists at Leela Mental Health begin at $180 — a lower entry rate that reflects their supervised status while offering the same evidence-based approaches used across the practice. Please contact the practice to discuss your financial situation; the team will work to identify an arrangement that supports your access to care.
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 45- or 60-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 45-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?” See the insurance call guide in the Insurance & Payment section above for a full list of questions.

Do you accept Lyra Health EAP?
Yes. Leela Mental Health is an in-network provider for Lyra Health Employee Assistance Program (EAP). If your employer offers Lyra Health benefits, you may be eligible for covered sessions at no direct cost to you. Confirm eligibility with your HR department and request authorization through the Lyra Health platform before scheduling.
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 →

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, and mindfulness-informed practice. Treatment is never one-size-fits-all — the approach is shaped by the person, not the diagnosis.
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 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.

Ready to take the first step?

A free 15-minute phone consultation is the clearest way to find out whether Leela Mental Health is the right fit for where you are right now. No commitment required.
Book a Free Consultation
Call (650) 206-9448

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

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Good Faith Estimate: If you are paying out of pocket or not using insurance, you have the right to a written Good Faith Estimate before your first session. Read the full notice âžž