FAQ

Bravely Blooming believes that all people deserve autonomy, respect, and equitable access to care regardless of the intersecting identities they hold. By taking active steps such as amplifying marginalized voices or taking social action, we help our communities heal from the harm of discriminatory ideologies (e.g. racism, sexism, xenophobia, ableism, capitalism). If these sentiments resonate with you, you are welcome in this space. 🌷

Yes! I have extensive experience working with a wide range of presenting concerns. My clients tend to experience anxiety, burnout, complex trauma (e.g. childhood, relationship, toxic workplace), impostor syndrome, perfectionism, relationship difficulties (e.g. familial, romantic), and/or the chronic stress of navigating discrimination and systemic oppression.

I specialize in addressing the unique needs of BIPOC women who are trying to achieve the ever-elusive “work-life balance.” Many of my clients are also part of one (or more) of these communities: adult children of immigrant parents, eldest daughter, first generation college student, LGBTQIA+, and/or neurodivergent.

If you've ever felt like you're doing everything “right” and still running on empty, you're in the right place.

Would you tell a close friend that their problems aren’t THAT bad? I imagine in most situations the answer is no. Perception is reality. If a problem (big or small) is impacting your ability to do things – whether or not others can tell - you would benefit from therapy. You don’t have to “tough it out” or “hit a wall” first. You deserve to care for yourself as much as you care for others.

Fun Fact: You don’t need to have a “problem” to attend therapy. Some clients use sessions to get to know themselves better, especially if they’ve lost their sense of self. They figure out who they are when capitalism is stripped away. Clarifying your values and priorities helps you grow – or should I say bloom – into a more authentic version of yourself.

• Phone Consultation (20 min): complimentary

• Individual Therapy* (50 min): $255

• Other Professional Services: please reach out for more information

  • Case Consultation: Dr. López consults with other professionals seeking expertise in her specialty areas.

  • HIPAA Compliance: Dr. López supports solo and small group practices in establishing and maintaining HIPAA-compliant security policies and procedures. She has served as a HIPAA Security Officer since 2020.

  • Trainings & Workshops: Dr. López offers customized trainings and workshops for mental health professionals, organizations, and community members across her specialty areas.

The session fee takes into account my doctoral training, over a decade of experience (how did time go by so quickly?!), and ongoing specialized training. It allows me to maintain a sustainable practice, so I can show up fully for each client.

It also supports Bravely Blooming’s *reduced fee program for folks who wouldn’t be able to access mental health services otherwise. Please feel free to inquire during your phone consultation.

The reality is that most insurance providers undervalue mental health which impacts both clients and therapists. Here are some common reasons why taking insurance isn’t sustainable.

Your insurance company (IC) essentially gatekeeps your access to therapy. They often require therapists to justify why therapy is “necessary” by giving you a diagnosis and determine whether your symptoms are “severe enough.” (Last time I checked - systemic oppression doesn’t have an end date. Hmm…)

Insurance plans don’t pay therapists a livable wage. They have to see more clients per week regardless of capacity, which is the opposite of what we encourage clients to do. You may also experience delays in care if the IC takes months to pay your therapist (not uncommon).

In recent years, therapists have been drawn in by companies funded by venture capitalists (VC). These platforms connect clients to therapists who take their insurance. Sounds helpful, doesn’t it? As the C in VC suggests, these companies put profit above the quality of your care (e.g. “one-size-fits-all” therapy approach, high rates of therapist burnout). Other red flags include user-privacy concerns and professional ethics.

References: Why I Left the Network, Let’s Run Away Together: I’m a therapist leaving venture capital-backed mental health

Whether you’re a therapy-newbie or just ready to start a new chapter of therapy, I strongly recommend weekly sessions. Clients find that it helps them build momentum toward their goals and develop a solid foundation of concrete skills (e.g. for stress management). I try to provide you with a useful insight or skill during every session – even our intake session!

A lot can happen in 2 weeks, so you’ll level-up to biweekly when you feel ready (enough) to work on your therapy goals more independently and tackle everyday stressors. When will you feel better? The great thing about therapy is discovering that YOU hold the key to your happiness and healing. In the therapy room, you get to decide which chapters of your life we explore or re-write from a lens of empowerment. That includes how quickly (goal-oriented, structured) or slowly (deeper exploration, semi-structured) our sessions go.

Once you’ve reclaimed your main character energy - met your therapy goals - you can “graduate” or shift to monthly check-in sessions. You get to decide the focus of these sessions - such as maintaining healthy habits or preparing for your mom’s yearly visit (iykyk).

That’s totally understandable. Though it can be uncomfortable at first, clients tend to get used to it after a few sessions. As someone who’s introverted by nature, I can help you build a bridge from discomfort to acceptance that awkward moments WILL happen – and that’s okay! Trust yourself to let your guard down (a.k.a. unmask) over time.

“The steps you take don't need to be big, they just need to take you in the right direction.”
- Jemma Simmons (Agents of SHIELD)

First of all - I apologize on behalf of the therapist community. Our leading ethical principle is to benefit clients and strive to “do no harm.” That includes examining our biases and the limits to our professional expertise. In my work, I prioritize creating a foundation of trust that invites feedback and dialogue because no one is perfect – including me!

I value the concept of intent vs impact which involves taking accountability for my actions. It’s important to me to understand how I have impacted you. If/when a rift happens in our therapist-client relationship, I hope we can openly process what happened and start to rebuild trust. (If it feels too scary to share in session, feel free to send me an email. We can ease into things next session.)

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” (GFE) explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost.

Under federal law, healthcare providers need to give patients who are not using insurance (e.g. private pay, out-of-network) or don’t have insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, which includes psychotherapy services.

You have the right to receive a GFE for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services such as medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees. You can ask your health care provider - and any other provider you choose - for a GFE before you schedule a service.

If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your GFE, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your GFE.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.