What do I need before my first session?

After you contact CAST Wellness Online to schedule a free consultation, our therapist will contact you to answer any questions you might have and schedule your first treatment. This consultation will be conducted completely over the phone.

What will I need for my regular online therapy sessions?

There a few things we recommend having in place before your first therapy session:

– A quiet, private room with good lighting where you will not be interrupted

-A reliable internet connection

-A smartphone, tablet, or laptop with a web camera and microphone

If you have the time, we recommend testing your microphone, camera, and internet connection prior to your appointment.

What can I expect during my initial session?

Your initial session (which comes after your free 15-minute consultation) will last approximately 60-90 minutes. We will go through some paperwork, get to know each other a little better, and make sure you are comfortable with the treatment environment. We will also discuss your symptoms, treatment goals, and available treatment options. At CAST Wellness, we believe that transparency and a thorough initial assessment are very important to the success of any therapy program. Our goal is to deliver a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

How long do CAST Wellness therapy sessions last?

You can expect your first session to last 60-90 minutes. Subsequent sessions will last approximately 50-90 minutes, with longer (and shorter) session times available depending on what’s best to address your therapy needs.

How long do treatment programs usually last?

The answer to this question will vary from patient to patient. Many factors will determine the length of treatment, including the severity of symptoms, time available to devote to treatment, life events, and other stressors. A fairly realistic expectation of treatment duration is around 12-16 sessions, with some people moving through treatment more quickly.

How much does CAST Wellness online therapy cost?

Your first 15-minute consultation is 100% free of charge. All sessions to follow will be billed at $225 per 45-minute session. Any time over or under 50 minutes will be prorated according to the hourly rate.

Do you take insurance?

We accept the following insurances and EAPs: Tricare, Lyra, and Modern Health.

Please note, if CAST Wellness is not part of your insurance network, many insurance carriers provide out-of-network coverage for licensed psychologists. By not contracting with insurance companies, we are able to better optimize treatment decisions, including recommendations around duration and intensity. At your request, we will provide the necessary paperwork to facilitate any conversations with your insurance provider.

Is online therapy right for me?

First of all, you have many options when it comes to therapy and we encourage you to choose the option most suitable for your needs. Of course, there are many good things about traditional face-to-face therapy.

Many of our patients choose online therapy because it fits their schedule. Perhaps you have a long commute or long work hours that make face-to-face appointments inconvenient and time-consuming. Some patients like flexible scheduling, or have had difficulty finding reputable counseling in their area. Many of our patients simply prefer to attend therapy in the comfort and privacy of their own homes, without having to visit an office.

Is online therapy an effective treatment method?

We are committed to using treatments that are evidence-based. Some of the treatments we use are based on short-term cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) methods that have been found to be effective. Please view our evidence-based treatments page to learn more about some of our different treatment approaches.

Can I receive online therapy if I don’t live in California?

Unfortunately, laws and licensing requirements restrict our services to the state of California and its residents. Although CAST Wellness can only offer treatment to residents of California at this time, we plan to make treatment available to more states as soon as possible.

How do I contact CAST Wellness to schedule an appointment?

Please complete the form below to contact CAST Wellness.