Frequently Asked Questions about Therapy

You can request an appointment by filling out our online request form or calling our office. After we receive your request, you can expect to hear from our intake coordinator within two business days.

For privacy reasons, do not include confidential or private health information in website forms. Share details after you're connected with our intake team or clinician.

Availability changes and dependent on many factors. For example, whether the clinicians who have current availability have expertise in the issues you want help with, or whether they fit the demographic profile you requested can affect how long you may wait to be matched with a therapist.  If you are requesting only evening hours the wait is likely to be significantly longer. Being on our waitlist is not a guarantee that you will be matched with a therapist and matching doesn’t necessarily go in order of  how long someone has been waiting. If the wait is longer than is comfortable for you, we encourage you to continue looking elsewhere for treatment while you wait.

We match you based on factors like your concerns (e.g., anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues), your preferences (therapy approach, identity considerations when relevant), and scheduling/availability across Cambridge, Salem, and telehealth. Our clinicians represent a range of treatment approaches and we try to match you with someone who will be a good fit for you.

We have two offices:

• Kendall Square (Cambridge): 234 Broadway, Suite 2, Cambridge, MA 02139

• Salem: 10 Federal Street, Suite 307, Salem, MA 01970

What ages do you treat?

• Cambridge (Kendall Square): adults 18+

• Salem: adults, adolescents, and children 8+

Yes. We offer remote, video-based therapy using HIPAA-compliant technology.

No. Many clients come from Greater Boston and the North Shore, and telehealth can expand access depending on clinical appropriateness and logistical considerations.

Our clinicians work with many concerns, including:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Trauma

• Relationship and intimacy issues

• Grief and loss

• LGBTQ+ concerns

• Stress management

• Academic/work concerns

• Health concerns and chronic illness coping

• Procrastination

• Life transitions

Our team offers a range of evidence-based and depth-oriented approaches, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Psychodynamic psychotherapy

• Mindfulness-based stress reduction

• Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

• Narrative therapy

• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Yes. Medications can be a useful adjunct for some clients, and we have psychiatrists and nurse practitioners on staff to consult and prescribe when clinically appropriate.

Yes. We provide testing and assessment services, though details vary by clinician and service line. If you're seeking diagnostic evaluation (e.g., ADHD testing), request an appointment and specify what you're looking for so intake can route appropriately.

"In-network" means your clinician/practice has a contract with your insurance company. If we're in-network for your plan, you typically pay only your copay and/or deductible (depending on your benefits).

"Out-of-network" means we don't have a contract with your insurer. Some plans (often PPO or POS) may reimburse part of the cost for out-of-network psychotherapy, after any deductible and according to your out-of-network benefits.

Common reasons include: preference for a specific clinician, specialty match, or scheduling availability. If you're considering out-of-network care, ask your insurer about your "outpatient mental health" benefits.

Kendall Psychological Associates is in-network with:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield

• Harvard Pilgrim Health Care (Point32)

• Tufts Commercial (NOT Tufts Health Direct)

• Optum, which includes:

• MGH Brigham Optum/Allways (for MGH Brigham employees)

• Commercial Allways plans

• Health Plans, Inc.

• United Behavioral Health

If we are in-network with your specific plan, your responsibility is typically copays and deductible (and sometimes coinsurance, depending on your plan design).

We are out-of-network with Aetna and Cigna, though PPO/POS plans may pay a percentage of the cost.

Contact your insurer and ask:

• Do I have out-of-network outpatient mental health benefits?

• What is my deductible, and has it been met?

• How many sessions per year are covered?

• What is the allowed amount per therapy session?

• Is approval required from my primary care physician?

If you have an HMO plan from a plan that we are in-network with (see above) then we are in-network with your HMO. We specifically cannot accept HMO plans from Cigna or Aetna.

Note: HMOs often have limited or no out-of-network benefits, whereas PPO/POS plans more often reimburse out-of-network care.

No. We are not MassHealth or Medicare providers.

What are your fees if I'm paying out of pocket?

• Individual therapy: $225/session

• Couples therapy: $250/session

• Family therapy: $250/session

• Psychopharmacology initial consultation: $375

• Medication management follow-up: $225

Payment is due at the time of your session. We accept cash, check, and all major credit cards.

Contact our billing director using the email listed on the Insurance + Fees page of our website.

If you don't have insurance, or you're not using insurance, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges for non-emergency services.

If your bill is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. This aligns with CMS guidance on the patient-provider dispute process.

We require 24 hours notice for cancellations. If you cancel within 24 hours or do not show up for your appointment, you are required to pay the full cost of the session.

Yes. What you discuss in psychotherapy is not shared without your written permission, except for specific legal and safety exceptions.

Exceptions include:

• Suspected abuse reporting requirements

• Threats of serious harm to others

• Serious risk of self-harm where steps are required to keep the client safe

If you are in immediate danger:

• Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911

• Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support 24/7

You can refer by having the patient request an appointment through our website or by phone. Our Contact page provides phone and email for general inquiries.

For HIPAA/privacy reasons, avoid sending sensitive details through unsecured email. Helpful high-level items include:

• Presenting concerns

• Risk level/urgency

• Insurance plan

• Desired modality (in-person Cambridge/Salem vs telehealth)

• Any preference requests (e.g., trauma-focused therapy, CBT/ERP, psychodynamic, EMDR)

Share clinical details via appropriate channels once connected.

Yes. We have prescribers available when medication is clinically appropriate, and coordination can occur with proper releases of information, as is typical in outpatient care.