FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answers to the questions we hear most.
If you don’t see what you’re looking for, call us at (650) 993-9321, text us, or book a free 15-minute consult.
Getting Started
How do I get started?
Call our office at (650) 993-9321 or email careteam@unfoldpsychology.com to book a free 15-minute phone consultation. We’ll talk through what’s going on, answer your questions, and help you figure out whether we’re the right fit — no commitment, no pressure.
Do you offer therapy outside of regular weekday appointments?
Yes, we provide evening and weekend appointments.
Do you offer online therapy?
Yes — we offer private, secure telehealth sessions to residents anywhere in California, in addition to in-person sessions at our four Bay Area locations.
Do you offer in-person therapy?
Yes, we have four Bay Area offices in Corte Madera, San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland. We can also arrange to meet you at your home or other locations.
Do you offer group therapy?
Yes, we offer a wide range of groups for teens and adults to help navigate everything from parenting struggles, to socialization challenges, to processing life stressors.
Therapy
Can I contact my therapist between sessions?
Yes! This is one of the many things that makes our practice different from traditional models. Even when your therapy visits end, the door remains open — you are always encouraged to give your clinician a call or a text. You will have direct access to your therapist, with calls returned within two hours. We are here for you.
How long will I be in therapy?
It varies. Some clients come for a specific issue and finish in a few months; others stay longer for ongoing support. We’ll talk about your goals early on and revisit them together as things shift.
Assessments
What’s included in your written report?
Every assessment includes a comprehensive written report with a clear interpretation of the findings, a diagnostic formulation when appropriate, and specific recommendations for treatment, accommodations, or daily support. Reports are written in plain, everyday language — no medical jargon — and are designed to support educational, clinical, and court-ordered needs. You’ll also receive a dedicated feedback session in which we walk through the results together.
How much does a psychological assessment cost?
Most psychological assessments range from $3,750 to $15,000, depending on scope and complexity. Prices vary by the type of testing required, the number of instruments involved, and the depth of the written report. Your free 15-minute consultation will include a specific quote tailored to your needs.
What kinds of assessments do you offer?
Our psychological assessment process includes a variety of standardized tests and clinical interviews. The key assessments we offer include:
- Cognitive Assessments: Measuring intelligence, memory, attention, and processing speed.
- Neuropsychological Assessments: Exploring brain-behavior relationships.
- Personality Assessments: Providing insights into an individual’s personality traits, emotional functioning, and interpersonal dynamics.
- Academic Achievement Tests: Assessing specific academic skills.
- Emotional and Behavioral Assessments: Focusing on identifying and understanding emotional difficulties or behavioral issues.
- Autism Spectrum Assessments: Including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS).
- ADHD Assessments: Utilizing leading evidence-based attention and executive function measures to build an accurate profile of your or your child’s unique cognitive blueprint.
- Disability Assessments: Measuring an individual’s approach toward learning through a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological testing specifically designed to identify learning disabilities.
- Court Ordered Assessments: Providing detailed psychological insights to meet the specific, unbiased needs of the court in criminal, civil, or family law matters.
How long does the assessment process take, from start to finish?
Standard assessment turnaround is 6–8 weeks (testing through final report). For families who need results sooner, we offer expedited service (4–6 weeks), rush service (3–5 weeks), and tornado service (2–3 weeks) for an additional fee. We can discuss which timeline fits your needs during your free consultation.
Will my report be accepted by my child’s school or by the court?
Yes. Our reports are written to meet the standards of schools, courts, and clinical teams. To date, our assessments have been consistently accepted without challenge — comprehensive, court-ready, and representative of the concerns and accommodations at issue. Whether you need documentation for an IEP, a 504 plan, SAT/ACT accommodations, workplace ADA support, or a court proceeding, the report is designed to do the work.
What is the assessment process?
The assessment process typically begins with a comprehensive clinical interview to gather background information and understand the individual’s current concerns. We then administer a battery of tests, which may take one session or several. The nature and reason for the assessment determines the length of the evaluation. After completing the assessments, our clinicians meticulously analyze the results, integrating information from all sources to form a comprehensive understanding of the individual’s functioning.
We then prepare a detailed report that not only presents the test results but also provides a thorough interpretation of the findings, a diagnostic formulation, and, when appropriate, specific recommendations for treatment or support. Our clinicians take care to explain the results in clear, understandable language, avoiding jargon and focusing on practical implications. For this reason, we will always meet with you following the report to discuss the results and address any questions.
Forensic & Court
How much do forensic services cost?
Expert Witness fees: $5,000 minimum for a half-day (up to 3.5 hours) of deposition or court testimony, $10,000 for a full day (4–8 hours). Deposition preparation, post-evaluation consultations, and other related services are charged at $500 per hour. Court-ordered evaluations start at $7,500+. Custody evaluation fees vary significantly based on case specifics — please call us so we can provide a quote tailored to your situation.
How long does an evaluation take, from start to report delivery?
Forensic evaluation timelines are highly dependent on case specifics — the nature of the referral, court orders, and the scope of work required. Some evaluations are completed in weeks; others span months. We’ll provide a realistic timeline at intake, so you can plan around court dates and deadlines.
How do you stay objective when one party is paying?
Strictly. From Dr. Heafey: “I have a clear role: I work for the court. I do not work for the parents, one parent, or the other. If the court deems one parent pays for the entire evaluation, 30%, or 70%, it means nothing to me, because financial arrangements are not within the scope of my practice. My focus is, and remains, the best interests of the case.”
Will the report hold up in court?
Yes. To date, our assessments have been consistently accepted without challenge — comprehensive, court-ready, and representative of the concerns and accommodations at issue. Dr. Heafey’s reports are written to meet the evidentiary standards of family, civil, and criminal courts.
Executive Functioning
Do you work with kids, adults, or both?
Both. Our coaches work with children, teens, college applicants, and adults. For children, that often means building skills around time management and emotional regulation. For adults, it often looks like mastering organization, task initiation, and follow-through.
Does insurance cover EF coaching?
Executive functioning coaching is generally not covered by insurance, even by plans we’re in-network with for clinical services. We provide superbills you can submit for possible reimbursement, though coverage for coaching is typically more limited than for clinical mental health care. Our insurance specialist can help you understand what may be eligible under your plan.
How long does coaching typically last?
It really depends on what you’re working on. Some clients work with us for just 1–2 weeks — say, for a specific project or exam prep. Others stay with us for several months or longer when they’re building deeper executive functioning skills. We’ll figure out the right scope together during your free consultation.
How much does EF coaching cost?
Executive Functioning Support is offered at $100 per 15-minute session or $400 per 60-minute session, depending on the support format that works best for your schedule and needs. COGMED Working Memory Training: $1,500–$2,000 depending on location (current Unfold patients receive a reduced rate of $900). Program-level pricing for One-on-One, Single Goal, and College Acceptance Programs depends on scope and is discussed during your free consultation.
What’s the difference between One-on-One Programs and Single Goal Programs?
One-on-One Programs are ongoing coaching engagements that target multiple executive functioning skills tailored to your unique needs — building skills around time management, organization, task initiation, and follow-through. Single Goal Programs are focused on completing one specific project (school assignment, work deliverable, etc.) by targeting the executive functioning skill that project requires. If you’re not sure which is right for you, the free consultation is the best place to start.
Cost & Insurance
How do I get my insurance company to reimburse me?
If you’re seeing us out-of-network, it’s not uncommon for your insurance company to cover between 20%–60% — sometimes 100%, depending on your plan. You’ll be provided with a superbill containing the applicable CPT codes, diagnosis, and specifics of your visit. As a courtesy, Unfold Psychology will submit insurance reimbursement on your behalf.
Why aren’t you in-network with more insurance plans?
We’re in-network with UHC/Optum and Aetna, and we’re always evaluating others. For many plans, though, we choose to stay out-of-network — because insurance companies often limit the degree and speed of care we can provide. Our priority is getting clients and their families the help they need, when they need it. Providers who are fully in-network often have long waitlists or no openings for new clients. Staying out-of-network with most plans lets us keep care timely and flexible, while our insurance specialist helps you recover as much as possible through your out-of-network benefits.
How much does therapy cost?
Session fees range from $225–$550 depending on the service. We’re in-network with UHC/Optum and Aetna. For all other plans, we’re out-of-network, which means we don’t bill those insurers directly — instead, we provide superbills to make the reimbursement process simple.
Do you accept insurance?
We’re in-network with UHC/Optum and Aetna. For all other plans, we’re out-of-network — but many of our clients use their out-of-network benefits to get reimbursed for a significant portion of our fees. In 2025, our insurance specialist helped clients recover over $54,000 in reimbursements.
How much do forensic services cost?
Expert Witness fees: $5,000 minimum for a half-day (up to 3.5 hours) of deposition or court testimony, $10,000 for a full day (4–8 hours). Deposition preparation, post-evaluation consultations, and other related services are charged at $500 per hour. Court-ordered evaluations start at $7,500+. Custody evaluation fees vary significantly based on case specifics — please call us so we can provide a quote tailored to your situation.
How much does a psychological assessment cost?
Most psychological assessments range from $3,750 to $15,000, depending on scope and complexity. Prices vary by the type of testing required, the number of instruments involved, and the depth of the written report. Your free 15-minute consultation will include a specific quote tailored to your needs.
Can I use HSA or FSA-eligible pre-tax funds to pay my bills?
Yes. HSA/FSA dollars — a special dispensation through your insurance for any kind of health care — are highly encouraged. They are a terrific option that many insurance companies offer.
How much does EF coaching cost?
Executive Functioning Support is offered at $100 per 15-minute session or $400 per 60-minute session, depending on the support format that works best for your schedule and needs. COGMED Working Memory Training: $1,500–$2,000 depending on location (current Unfold patients receive a reduced rate of $900). Program-level pricing for One-on-One, Single Goal, and College Acceptance Programs depends on scope and is discussed during your free consultation.
Will you help with my insurance paperwork?
We are sensitive to the added stress involved in working with insurance companies, and we work with you and your insurance company to help you get the highest possible reimbursement rate possible. Jelipsa, our dedicated billing specialist, handles claims, appeals, and superbill submissions on your behalf.
Services & Approach
What is COGMED?
COGMED working memory treatment is a gamified learning tool, consisting of 25 online training sessions. Each session is 10 to 20 minutes long, depending on the schedule you choose. This can be done at home, school, work, or wherever convenient. COGMED is sometimes used as conjoint therapy to treat ADHD, but it is primarily to support individuals who have suffered a brain trauma and are experiencing post-concussive symptoms.
What’s the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
Psychologists help you understand patterns, build coping strategies, and work through challenges, using a range of therapeutic approaches. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who primarily prescribe and manage medication. At Unfold Psychology, we are psychologists — we don’t prescribe medication. Our approach considers the whole person — not just symptoms, but the psychological, social, and behavioral factors that shape your well-being. Research shows that combining therapy with medication often leads to better outcomes than either one alone. Many of our clients work with both a therapist and a psychiatrist, and we’re happy to coordinate care or help you find one if needed. We have great relationships with other providers, including psychiatrists who offer service we do not. We are happy to help facilitate any referrals.
What is Executive Function?
Think of executive function as your brain’s personal assistant—the internal command center that handles everything from remembering your keys to managing your schedule. When this assistant gets scattered, it’s a sign that your brain’s command center may need some new tools. Whether we are working 1:1 to tackle school stress, mastering practical organizational systems, or navigating the college application maze together, our goal is to build your confidence and independence.
LOCATIONS
Four Bay Area offices
Plus telehealth throughout California.
We are proud to provide inclusive care for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Still have questions?
If you're not finding the answers you need, book a free consult or reach out via phone or text.
Or Text Us at (650) 993-9321