Your Questions Answered
Click any question to jump to its answer.
03 Do you offer sliding scale or discounted rates?
04 Where do you offer therapy?
05 How is therapy different from talking to a friend?
08 Do you meet with couples clients individually?
09 How is a psychologist different from other therapists?
10 What is the first therapy session like?
11 What’s your cancellation policy?
01 What are your fees?
Individual therapy is $225 per 50-minute session, couples therapy is $325 per 75-minute session, phone consultations and clinical or professional consultations are $225 per 50-minute session, and emergency or after-hours consultations (weekdays after 5:30pm HST, weekends, and holidays) are $450 per 45-minute session. My regular hours are Monday to Thursday, 8:00am to 5:30pm HST.
**If a report, letter, or consultation with an outside party is requested, you will be billed for any time needed to prepare documentation or conduct in-person/phone consultations. Dr. Simon’s standard service fee applies for all actions outside of legal proceedings and court involvement.
View Dr. Simon's Notice of Good Faith Estimate
View Dr. Simon's Notice of Privacy Practices
02 Do you accept insurance?
I don’t bill insurance directly. I’m considered both a private-pay and out-of-network provider, and that’s an intentional choice. This model allows us to protect your privacy, avoid unnecessary diagnoses, and tailor your treatment to your actual needs rather than what an insurance company approves.
That said, I’m committed to making care accessible. Many PPO plans offer out-of-network benefits that may reimburse you for a significant portion of your session cost. I provide a superbill, a detailed receipt with all necessary service and diagnostic codes, that you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement. I’m happy to walk you through how this works.
Learn more about out-of-network reimbursement and my accessible care philosophy.
03 Do you offer sliding scale or discounted rates?
Yes. I believe everyone deserves access to high-quality, compassionate mental health care, and my scholarship programs reflect that commitment.
I offer the Live & Love Well ™ Scholarship Program, which provides income-based reduced fees for individuals and couples, and the Native Hawaiian Kanaka Scholarship Program, created to honor Kanaka Maoli communities. If you identify as Native Hawaiian, please contact me directly, price will not be a barrier to service.
Eligibility is based on household income and my availability, and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Learn more about the scholarship program.
04 Where do you offer therapy?
I’m licensed in Colorado (License #3404) and Hawai’i (License #1972), and I see clients in person in both states. I also offer secure telehealth sessions, video or phone, and hold the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) through PSYPACT, which allows me to work with clients in more than 40 states and territories.
05 How is therapy different from talking to a friend or family member?
Friends and family are vital, and they’re not a replacement for therapy, they’re a different thing entirely. The people who love you bring their own feelings, histories, and stakes to every conversation. That’s beautiful, and it’s also limiting. In therapy, you get something rare: an objective, nonjudgmental space with someone who is trained to listen deeply, offer new perspectives, and teach you evidence-based tools for lasting change. Therapy is structured and purposeful: not only feeling heard, but building real resilience over time. Taking the first step can feel intimidating. Reaching out is one of the most courageous things you can do.
06 Is AI a substitute for therapy with a trained clinician?
In short: no. AI mental health tools are becoming more common, and some are well designed. They are not therapy, and not a substitute for a licensed clinician who can assess your circumstances, protect your confidentiality, and give you personalized care.
There are real risks. AI platforms can give inaccurate or incomplete guidance, what you share may not be protected by HIPAA or state confidentiality law, and AI advice can conflict with your treatment in ways that create confusion.
If you are ever in crisis, having suicidal thoughts, or feeling unsafe, please do not rely on an AI tool. Contact 988, call 911, or go to your nearest emergency department.
07 How do I know if we’re ready for couples therapy?
Couples therapy works best when both partners are emotionally present, open to accountability, and able to stay relatively grounded during conflict. If one or both of you is feeling overwhelmed, highly reactive, or unsure, the process can feel more chaotic than healing.
If you’re questioning the timing, ask whether you can each stay present during conflict, whether personal healing work needs attention first, and whether you are both willing to take responsibility rather than stay in blame.
If one or both of you isn’t quite ready, working with an individual therapist, either before or alongside couples therapy, can lay the groundwork for deeper, more effective relationship work. Whether that’s with me or another trusted clinician, this step often creates the clarity and emotional stability needed to move forward together.
Learn more about couples therapy at Live & Love Well ™.
08 Do you meet with couples clients individually?
Yes, when it's clinically appropriate. Individual sessions within the context of couples therapy can be a valuable part of the process. They offer space to explore a personal pattern more deeply, to clarify what you're feeling before bringing it to your partner, or to work through something you're not yet ready to discuss together. They also give me a fuller understanding of each partner, which strengthens the work we do as a couple. Individual sessions aren't right for every situation, and we'll discuss openly whether they'd benefit your process.
Read more HERE about my clinical approach to individual wellness.
09 How is a psychologist different from other therapists?
The distinctions genuinely matter. A licensed psychologist (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) holds a doctoral degree in psychology and completes at least one year of post-doctoral supervised experience. Psychologists may use titles like doctor, psychologist, therapist, or counselor.
Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) hold master’s degrees in their respective fields and complete two years of post-graduate supervision. Licensed Social Workers (LSWs) hold a master’s in social work. Therapist candidates have completed their degrees and are working toward full licensure under supervision. Psychiatrists are medical doctors (M.D. or D.O.) who can prescribe medication and may also offer therapy depending on their training.
Each of these professionals plays a valuable role. As a licensed psychologist, I bring advanced training in assessment, diagnosis, and integrative therapy methods that support your whole-person wellness.
10 What is the first therapy session like?
Our first meeting is a comprehensive intake session lasting 60 to 90 minutes, longer than a typical session. We’ll review your paperwork, discuss your history and current concerns, set realistic short- and long-term goals, and begin to get a sense of whether we’re a good fit for each other.
The first three sessions are a trial phase, designed to determine whether our work together will be short- or long-term. If either of us feels that another provider might better meet your needs, I’ll offer a thoughtful referral. The goal is always the right match, not just any match.
11 What’s your cancellation policy?
I ask for at least 72 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Without that notice, or in the case of a missed session, the full session fee applies. But, I do understand that life happens. If your cancellation is due to a genuine emergency, we’ll talk through it together and figure out next steps.
12 Can I use a credit card or HSA to pay for therapy?
Yes. I accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover credit cards, as well as cash, personal checks, and Flexible Spending (FSA) or Health Savings Accounts (HSA). All payments are processed through a HIPAA-compliant portal called Therapy Partner. Payment is due at the time of service.
13 Do you prescribe medication?
No. As a licensed clinical psychologist, I provide talk therapy but do not prescribe medications. That said, I frequently collaborate with psychiatrists and medical providers when medication may be helpful. Research consistently shows that the most effective outcomes often come from a thoughtful combination of therapy and medication, when appropriate.