AVIVA PSYCHOLOGY SERVICES

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WE'Re glad you're here

Welcome

We recognize the courage it takes to seek professional support, and we are glad you are here.

If you have questions and would like to know more about working with us, please check out our frequently asked questions below or reach out to us at info@avivapsych.com.

To get started, please fill out the form below and a member of our team will be in touch with next steps.

Getting started

How do I get started?

To get started with a member of our team, complete our encrypted Request an appointment form below. Please note that availability fluctuates and completing the form does not guarantee an appointment.

If you would like to use insurance, please include your insurance information, including your member ID number, which will allow us to check your benefits.

All information submitted to Aviva Psychology Services through this form is kept confidential and is securely transmitted.

After we receive your Request an appointment form, we will reach out within 48 business hours to update you on current availability. If we have openings, we will check your benefits and set up a free 15 minute phone consultation. These consultations are designed to get a better sense of what you are wanting and needing, to assess how we can help, and to answer any questions you might have about getting started.

Together, you and the Clinical Coordinator will decide how to move forward and, if fitting, arrange a time to meet in person with a psychologist on our team.

What happens during my first sessions?

The first 2-4 appointments are an assessment period during which your clinician will ask you questions to help get a sense of your present concerns and relevant history. You and your clinician will also talk about treatment goals during this time. Towards the end of this evaluation period, you and your clinician will discuss your clinician’s initial impressions and establish a treatment plan together. It is important to consider this information along with your own assessment of fit and comfort with your clinician.

If you and your clinician decide to work together and move forward with a treatment plan, you will typically schedule one session per week. Sessions are typically 45-60 minutes and include time for paying fees and setting up future appointments. Sessions are usually scheduled as standing appointments, which means that you and your clinician will generally commit to meet on the same day and at the same time each week.

How do I contact my clinician?

Generally, all therapy-related contact between you and your clinician should occur during your sessions.

Other than by prior arrangement, clinicians are not immediately available by telephone, text, secure message, or email.

Clinicians on our team have different schedules and are available on different days. You and your clinician will discuss the best communication strategies for your work together.

Because your clinician is not immediately available, if an emergency should arise, please call 911 and/or proceed to the nearest hospital emergency room.

What is coaching and how is it different than therapy?

Coaching is a distinct service from therapy. While both are offered by licensed psychologists at Aviva with expertise in human behavior and social-emotional health, therapy  is a medical intervention designed to diagnose, treat and alleviate  mental health symptoms, while coaching is a supportive, time-limited service aimed at developing a specific skillset to improve effectiveness in various areas of life  (such as leadership, parenting, communication etc). Another important difference is that therapy is often covered by health insurance given that it’s medically necessary while  coaching is not. 

Both offer interactive and often transformative processes in the context of a supportive, non judgmental professional relationship. 

Can I see the same therapist for both therapy and coaching?

It is not possible to see the same provider for both coaching and therapy. This is because the roles, goals, and function of each are distinct and therefore the  boundaries of each service also need to be distinct. 

Insurance

Which insurance plans does AVIVA accept?

We accept the following major insurance plans as in or out of network providers:

  • Aetna POS & PPO
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield, HMO & PPO
  • Cigna EPO & PPO
  • Health Plans PPO
  • Tufts PPO

If you don’t see your insurance listed, please inquire about your specific plan, and we will give you more information about how to determine potential reimbursement for our services. Please note that HMO plans do not provide out of network benefits and therefore will generally not provide coverage towards our services aside from BCBS HMOs.

How does my insurance work?

When using insurance, it is important to note that we cannot guarantee your rate since the insurance company dictates it based on many changing factors. We are happy to provide our best estimate, however, based on your specific plan’s current coverage. If you have questions about whether your insurance will cover therapy, there are two options:

OPTION 1
We can contact your insurance provider on your behalf to verify your benefits. If you would like Aviva to do this, please fill out the Request an appointment form.

OPTION 2
Contact your insurance provider directly and inquire about your coverage. Below are suggested questions to ask:

  1. Are providers at Aviva Psychology Services in or out of network with my plan?
  2. Will you reimburse the provider if I go out-of-network for my psychotherapy care?
  3. What is my deductible (specify in or out of network) for outpatient mental health services?
  4. How much of my deductible has been met year-to-date?
  5. When does the deductible reset?
  6. How much will my plan cover once the deductible has been met? What is my responsibility?

Billing + fees

What are my rights under the No Surprises Act? Can I get a Good Faith Estimate (GFE)?

Notice to Clients and Prospective Clients: Under the law, health care providers need to give clients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services, within one business day of your service.

You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service, or at any time during treatment.  If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. 

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate or how to dispute a bill, please call (800) 985-3059 or visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

How much Will a session cost me?

Our fees are pre-established based on the particular service you are receiving, and the the cost per session varies widely based on your insurance plan benefits and current reimbursement rates, which are ever changing. Our fees are comparable to the market rate for psychotherapy with experienced psychologists in Massachusetts. If you have further questions about our rates or insurance, please fill out the Request an appointment form and we can give you specific estimates based on your particular plan or circumstances.

How can I access my billing documents if I am a client?

When you become a client at Aviva, you will utilize our patient portal through Simple Practice to complete all initial client paperwork. Through the portal, you can access all billing documents (invoices, statements, and superbills) and upcoming appointment times.

Click to here to access the Simple Practice portal.