FAQ – Chandra Rai, LMFT | Therapy Questions Answered

Welcome to our FAQ section! Here you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about my therapy services, including insurance, confidentiality, and what to expect from sessions.

Practical Information

Is everything we discuss confidential?

Yes, confidentiality is sacred in therapy. Everything you share is protected by law and professional ethics. This safe space allows you to be completely honest about your thoughts and feelings.

When confidentiality might be broken:

There are only a few specific situations where I’m legally required to break confidentiality to protect safety:

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Child/Elder Protection

If there’s suspected abuse of a child, dependent adult, or elder

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Threat to Others

If you pose a serious, imminent threat to an identified person

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Danger to Self

If you’re suicidal or unable to care for your basic needs

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Court Order

If legally ordered by a court (I’ll advocate for your privacy)

Do you accept insurance?

I’m an out-of-network provider, which means you pay upfront and I provide you with a detailed receipt (superbill) for potential insurance reimbursement.

How it works:

You pay for sessions at the time of service

I provide you with a detailed superbill

You submit the superbill to your insurance for reimbursement

Questions to ask your insurance:

Do I have mental health benefits for out-of-network providers?
What’s my out-of-network deductible and have I met it?
What percentage do you reimburse for out-of-network therapy?
How many sessions per year are covered?
What’s the “usual and customary” rate for therapy in San Jose?
Do I need a referral from my primary care doctor?
Can I use my FSA or HSA for therapy sessions?

Understanding your benefits beforehand will help you plan for the financial aspect of your therapy journey.

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted payment methods:

📝 Check

💜 Venmo

🍏 Apple Pay

⚡ Zelle

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Credit Card Option:

If you prefer to pay with a credit card, please note that an additional surcharge will be applied to cover processing fees.

We can discuss billing details and payment schedules during our initial consultation.

What if I need to cancel or reschedule an appointment?

Due to the intensive nature and consistent frequency required for psychoanalysis, missed sessions are handled with careful consideration.

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Policy Discussion

We will discuss my specific policy regarding cancellations and missed sessions during our initial consultations.

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Importance of Consistency

Regular attendance is crucial for the analytic process to progress and for you to achieve the most benefit from the treatment.

Understanding the Process

What is psychoanalysis?

Psychoanalysis is an intensive, in-depth form of therapy that explores the unconscious roots of emotional distress, repetitive patterns, and deeply ingrained psychological difficulties.

Psychoanalysis involves exploring past experiences, early relationships, dreams, fantasies, and recurring patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior to gain profound insight into how they shape your present life.

How is psychoanalysis different from other forms of therapy?

Psychoanalysis stands out due to its unique commitment to depth, frequency, and the central role of the analytic relationship in uncovering unconscious processes.

Key distinctions:

📅 Intensity & Frequency

Sessions are typically held 3 to 5 times per week, creating continuous engagement with unconscious material

🔬 Depth of Exploration

Goes beyond symptom reduction to explore fundamental personality structures and historical origins

🛋️ Use of the Couch

Patients lie on a couch, facing away from the analyst, to encourage free association and access unconscious material

⏳ Duration

Generally a long-term process, often spanning several years for thorough working through of embedded issues

🤝 The Analytic Relationship

The relationship (transference) becomes crucial for understanding and resolving patterns from past relationships

What kinds of issues do people typically seek psychoanalysis for?

People usually seek psychoanalysis for long-standing, pervasive, or deeply entrenched issues that impact their overall functioning and well-being.

Common reasons people choose psychoanalysis:

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Chronic feelings of anxiety, depression, or emptiness that haven’t fully responded to other treatments

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Recurring, problematic patterns in relationships, work, or life choices

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Persistent difficulties with self-esteem, identity, or sense of purpose

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Unexplained or persistent symptoms that lack a clear medical cause

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Inhibitions in creativity, professional development, or personal fulfillment

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Desire for profound self-understanding and lasting personal change beyond symptom relief

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Difficulties with intimacy or emotional connection

How long will therapy take?

There’s no standard timeline – therapy is as unique as you are. The duration depends on your goals, circumstances, and how you respond to the process.

Factors that influence duration:

🎯 Your goals

Specific issues vs. broader personal growth

🕰️ How long issues have existed

Recent challenges vs. long-standing patterns

🤝 Your support system

Family, friends, and other resources available

💪 Your engagement

How you apply insights between sessions

Common timelines:

Short-term (3-6 months)

Specific challenges, coping strategies, immediate support

Medium-term (6-18 months)

Relationship patterns, life transitions, moderate depression/anxiety

Longer-term (18+ months)

Deep personal growth, complex trauma, major life transformation

Remember: Therapy is a process, not a quick fix. My role isn’t to give advice, but to help you connect with your inner wisdom and make changes that feel authentic and sustainable for you.

📞 Schedule Your Consultation