Frequently Asked questions
Do you have questions about Octave?
Below you will find answers to all of our most commonly asked questions from clients, therapists, and our greater community.
If you have any questions about our services, providers, or your care, please contact our Support Team at [email protected]. We’re here to help with anything related to your therapy experience.
If you are currently seeing a therapist through Octave, we recommend that you log in to your patient portal, where you can live chat with support during our support hours, which are Monday through Friday from 6AM PST to 5PM PST, Saturday from 6AM - 2:30PM PST and Sundays from 8AM - 4:30PM PST
Yes, Octave is currently accepting new clients in all service areas. To get started, complete a short questionnaire so we can match you with the right therapist for your needs.
Octave provides virtual therapy sessions to clients in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. We offer in-person sessions in most of the same states that we offer virtual therapy; to check if there are therapists near you who offer in-person sessions, filter your preferences in our therapist finder.
We also have physical clinic locations in:
- Downtown San Francisco
- Oakland
- Westwood Los Angeles
- Flatiron District, New York
Our hours are Monday through Friday from 6AM PST to 5PM PST, Saturday from 6AM - 2:30PM PST and Sundays from 8AM - 4:30PM PST.
Yes, Octave offers limited early morning, evening, and weekend appointments. You can note your preferences in your onboarding forms or use the online filters to find providers with the availability you need.
Most therapy and intake appointments are available virtually. Octave provides virtual therapy sessions to clients in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. We offer in-person sessions in most of the same states that we offer virtual therapy; to check if there are therapists near you who offer in-person sessions, filter your preferences in our therapist finder.
Please note that due to healthcare regulations, you need to be physically in the state that the therapist is licensed in during your appointment.
If you are interested in working for Octave, email [email protected].
For employment verification, please contact our People Team.
To get ready for your first session, explore our Getting Started with Octave page, where therapists share tips on preparing for therapy and finding the right provider. Being informed and comfortable helps you get the most out of your sessions. For any specific questions, our Care Team is here to support you.
Please note that due to healthcare regulations, you need to be physically in the state that the therapist is licensed in during your appointment.
Visit our Insurance and Pricing page for the most up-to-date list of accepted insurance providers.
Octave is in-network with major employer-sponsored and commercial insurance plans, including Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Blue Cross Blue Shield (various states), Capital Blue Cross of PA, Cigna/Evernorth, Health Net, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Moda Health, Optum, Oscar Health, Regence BlueShield, UnitedHealthcare, and more. Coverage varies by state — please refer to our insurance and pricing page for a complete list.
The BlueCard® Program links Blue plans across the United States through a single electronic network, for claims processing and reimbursement, and Octave is able to accept select BlueCards through our partnership with Anthem Blue Cross of California.
These are the plans we accept through the Bluecard® Program:
- Premera Blue Cross (AK)
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (CA)
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (CT)
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia (GA)
- Blue Cross of Idaho (ID)
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (IL)
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (IN)
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (KY)
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (ME)
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (MO)
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (NV)
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (NH)
- Horizon Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (NJ)
- Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield (NY)
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (OH)
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (TX)
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (VA)
- Premera Blue Cross (WA)
You can start by getting a rough estimate by using our Cost Estimator tool.
Once you complete our onboarding form, we will contact your insurance company on your behalf to learn more about your specific coverage and benefits. Once we have this information, we can provide you with a price range you can expect to pay before you start care at Octave.
Your payment information is collected during the onboarding process. Before your first appointment, you will receive a cost of care estimate in your client portal. You should expect to be billed 2-3 business days after each visit. Octave accepts all major credit and debit cards, as well as HSA and FSA accounts.
Many plans cover telehealth therapy. After your session, Octave provides a superbill and detailed instructions for claim submission. You can then file with your insurer for reimbursement. To request a superbill, email [email protected].
You can update your insurance details securely through the client portal. Once submitted, our Billing Specialists will verify your benefits and you should see your new information updated within 1-3 days.
These are common insurance terms that affect your cost of care. Visit our Insurance Glossary for clear definitions of these terms and how they apply at Octave.
Octave offers evidence-based therapy including behavioral, mindfulness-based, and relational approaches. We tailor care to your needs and match you with a therapist best suited to your goals. Learn more or filter by specialty on our Providers page.
Therapy sessions generally last 45 minutes, though duration may vary based on your personalized care plan.
Begin by completing our online intake form to be matched with a therapist, or browse our therapist directory to choose a provider directly. We offer individual, couples, and family therapy for a wide range of mental health needs. These therapy services are available in-person or virtually.
Yes. When completing your intake form, list the provider’s name or tell your Care Navigator when they contact you. Requests are honored whenever possible, though availability may affect scheduling.
Our therapists specialize in diverse areas, from anxiety and depression to relationship challenges and life transitions. You can filter therapists by specialization on our Providers page.
Yes, all Octave providers are fully licensed and highly trained. Each therapist is carefully vetted through clinical interviews, case reviews, and background checks to ensure quality, ethical, and culturally competent care.
Octave provides therapy for adults aged 18 and older. All participants in couples or family sessions must also be 18 or older.
Psychologists treat emotional and mental health issues through therapy. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication. Octave providers focus on psychotherapy and do not prescribe or manage medication.
No, Octave focuses on therapy services and does not prescribe medication. However, our providers can collaborate with psychiatrists if you’re already taking or exploring medication.
We understand that things come up. Please keep in mind that appointments must be canceled or rescheduled at least 24 hours in advance of the session to avoid any charges.
To cancel an intake appointment (i.e. your first appointment with your therapist), email [email protected].
To cancel any therapy appointment after your initial intake, please log into your Client Portal and go to your “Appointments” tab. There, you will see a list of your upcoming appointments, with a button to cancel next to each one. If you'd like to reschedule that appointment, please email your provider to coordinate an alternate time.
Appointments must be canceled or rescheduled at least 24 hours in advance of the session to avoid any charges. Clients who cancel a session with less than 24 hours' notice, or miss a session, will be charged a $100 cancellation fee to their credit card on file.
The minimum duration of an individual therapy session with an Octave clinician is 16 minutes, and the minimum duration of a relationship therapy (couples or family) session is 26 minutes. Any sessions that don’t meet that minimum duration are considered a late cancellation and the late cancellation fee applies.
All Octave sessions have a 15 minute grace period for clients to attend. Providers waiting longer than 15 minutes can end the session; the session will be considered a “late cancellation” and the cancellation fee will apply.
The cancellation fee is not eligible for insurance reimbursement.
Consecutive or repeated cancellations may result in your appointments being removed from the schedule. Consistent sessions are essential to make progress in therapy, and repeated cancellations can be very disruptive to your care. We also need to provide fair access to other clients who may need those appointment slots.
We respect our therapists’ time, and make sure they get paid even when a client has to cancel close to the appointment time. Unfortunately, insurance will not cover the cost of a late cancellation because no actual care was administered.
It’s standard in therapy to charge the full out-of-pocket cost of the session ($170-250) for late cancellations, but Octave only charges a flat $100 fee. We do this so the financial burden isn’t such a shock for our clients, while still making sure our therapists are at least partially compensated for their lost time.
Sessions include a 15-minute grace period. If you arrive later than 15 minutes, your provider may end the session and apply the late cancellation fee.
We know emergencies happen, so we do have a process for appealing your late cancellation fee if you feel you have a special circumstance. In general, we can grant a fee waiver for these situations:
- Health emergency that requires hospitalization
- Death of close family or friend
- Jury duty
- Natural disaster
To submit a fee waiver request, send an email to [email protected] with:
- The date of your canceled session
- Your reason for canceling
Please note that your account may be automatically charged with the $100 late cancellation fee, but it will be refunded back to your credit card if your waiver is granted. Please do not dispute the charge with your bank until a decision on the waiver is made because Octave cannot refund charges that have an active bank dispute.
Octave is in-network with multiple insurance plans, so most of our clients pay only a small co-pay fee. Most clients pay just $28 per session with in-network insurance.
For those paying out of pocket, here are the ranges for our services:
- Individual Therapy: $170-250/session
- Couples or Family Therapy: $190-275/session
For details based on your state, use our Cost Estimator tool.
During sign-up, we’ll also contact your insurance company on your behalf and provide a detailed Cost of Care before your first session, so you’ll know exactly what to expect.
Frequently Asked questions
Do you have questions about Octave?
Below you will find answers to all of our most commonly asked questions from clients, therapists, and our greater community.
If you have any questions about our services, providers, or your care, please contact our Support Team at [email protected]. We’re here to help with anything related to your therapy experience.
If you are currently seeing a therapist through Octave, we recommend that you log in to your patient portal, where you can live chat with support during our support hours, which are Monday through Friday from 6AM PST to 5PM PST, Saturday from 6AM - 2:30PM PST and Sundays from 8AM - 4:30PM PST
Yes, Octave is currently accepting new clients in all service areas. To get started, complete a short questionnaire so we can match you with the right therapist for your needs.
Octave provides virtual therapy sessions to clients in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. We offer in-person sessions in most of the same states that we offer virtual therapy; to check if there are therapists near you who offer in-person sessions, filter your preferences in our therapist finder.
We also have physical clinic locations in:
- Downtown San Francisco
- Oakland
- Westwood Los Angeles
- Flatiron District, New York
Our hours are Monday through Friday from 6AM PST to 5PM PST, Saturday from 6AM - 2:30PM PST and Sundays from 8AM - 4:30PM PST.
Yes, Octave offers limited early morning, evening, and weekend appointments. You can note your preferences in your onboarding forms or use the online filters to find providers with the availability you need.
Most therapy and intake appointments are available virtually. Octave provides virtual therapy sessions to clients in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. We offer in-person sessions in most of the same states that we offer virtual therapy; to check if there are therapists near you who offer in-person sessions, filter your preferences in our therapist finder.
Please note that due to healthcare regulations, you need to be physically in the state that the therapist is licensed in during your appointment.
If you are interested in working for Octave, email [email protected].
For employment verification, please contact our People Team.
To get ready for your first session, explore our Getting Started with Octave page, where therapists share tips on preparing for therapy and finding the right provider. Being informed and comfortable helps you get the most out of your sessions. For any specific questions, our Care Team is here to support you.
Please note that due to healthcare regulations, you need to be physically in the state that the therapist is licensed in during your appointment.
Visit our Insurance and Pricing page for the most up-to-date list of accepted insurance providers.
Octave is in-network with major employer-sponsored and commercial insurance plans, including Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Blue Cross Blue Shield (various states), Capital Blue Cross of PA, CareFirst (DC, MD, VA), Cigna/Evernorth, Health Net, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Moda Health, Optum, Oscar Health, Regence BlueShield, UnitedHealthcare, and more. Coverage varies by state — please refer to our insurance and pricing page for a complete list.
The BlueCard® Program links Blue plans across the United States through a single electronic network, for claims processing and reimbursement, and Octave is able to accept select BlueCards through our partnership with Anthem Blue Cross of California.
These are the plans we accept through the Bluecard® Program:
- Premera Blue Cross (AK)
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (CA)
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (CT)
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia (GA)
- Blue Cross of Idaho (ID)
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (IL)
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (IN)
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (KY)
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (ME)
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (MO)
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (NV)
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (NH)
- Horizon Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (NJ)
- Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield (NY)
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (OH)
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (TX)
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (VA)
- Premera Blue Cross (WA)
You can start by getting a rough estimate by using our Cost Estimator tool.
Once you complete our onboarding form, we will contact your insurance company on your behalf to learn more about your specific coverage and benefits. Once we have this information, we can provide you with a price range you can expect to pay before you start care at Octave.
Your payment information is collected during the onboarding process. Before your first appointment, you will receive a cost of care estimate in your client portal. You should expect to be billed 2-3 business days after each visit. Octave accepts all major credit and debit cards, as well as HSA and FSA accounts.
Many plans cover telehealth therapy. After your session, Octave provides a superbill and detailed instructions for claim submission. You can then file with your insurer for reimbursement. To request a superbill, email [email protected].
You can update your insurance details securely through the client portal. Once submitted, our Billing Specialists will verify your benefits and you should see your new information updated within 1-3 days.
These are common insurance terms that affect your cost of care. Visit our Insurance Glossary for clear definitions of these terms and how they apply at Octave.
Octave offers evidence-based therapy including behavioral, mindfulness-based, and relational approaches. We tailor care to your needs and match you with a therapist best suited to your goals. Learn more or filter by specialty on our Providers page.
Therapy sessions generally last 45 minutes, though duration may vary based on your personalized care plan.
Begin by completing our online intake form to be matched with a therapist, or browse our therapist directory to choose a provider directly. We offer individual, couples, and family therapy for a wide range of mental health needs. These therapy services are available in-person or virtually.
Yes. When completing your intake form, list the provider’s name or tell your Care Navigator when they contact you. Requests are honored whenever possible, though availability may affect scheduling.
Our therapists specialize in diverse areas, from anxiety and depression to relationship challenges and life transitions. You can filter therapists by specialization on our Providers page.
Yes, all Octave providers are fully licensed and highly trained. Each therapist is carefully vetted through clinical interviews, case reviews, and background checks to ensure quality, ethical, and culturally competent care.
Octave provides therapy for adults aged 18 and older. All participants in couples or family sessions must also be 18 or older.
Psychologists treat emotional and mental health issues through therapy. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication. Octave providers focus on psychotherapy and do not prescribe or manage medication.
No, Octave focuses on therapy services and does not prescribe medication. However, our providers can collaborate with psychiatrists if you’re already taking or exploring medication.
We understand that things come up. Please keep in mind that appointments must be canceled or rescheduled at least 24 hours in advance of the session to avoid any charges.
To cancel an intake appointment (i.e. your first appointment with your therapist), email [email protected].
To cancel any therapy appointment after your initial intake, please log into your Client Portal and go to your “Appointments” tab. There, you will see a list of your upcoming appointments, with a button to cancel next to each one. If you'd like to reschedule that appointment, please email your provider to coordinate an alternate time.
Appointments must be canceled or rescheduled at least 24 hours in advance of the session to avoid any charges. Clients who cancel a session with less than 24 hours' notice, or miss a session, will be charged a $100 cancellation fee to their credit card on file.
The minimum duration of an individual therapy session with an Octave clinician is 16 minutes, and the minimum duration of a relationship therapy (couples or family) session is 26 minutes. Any sessions that don’t meet that minimum duration are considered a late cancellation and the late cancellation fee applies.
All Octave sessions have a 15 minute grace period for clients and providers to attend. Providers waiting longer than 15 minutes can end the session; the session will be considered a “late cancellation” and the cancellation fee will apply.
The cancellation fee is not eligible for insurance reimbursement.
Consecutive or repeated cancellations may result in your appointments being removed from the schedule. Consistent sessions are essential to make progress in therapy, and repeated cancellations can be very disruptive to your care. We also need to provide fair access to other clients who may need those appointment slots.
We respect our therapists’ time, and make sure they get paid even when a client has to cancel close to the appointment time. Unfortunately, insurance will not cover the cost of a late cancellation because no actual care was administered.
It’s standard in therapy to charge the full out-of-pocket cost of the session ($170-250) for late cancellations, but Octave only charges a flat $100 fee. We do this so the financial burden isn’t such a shock for our clients, while still making sure our therapists are at least partially compensated for their lost time.
Sessions include a 15-minute grace period. If you arrive later than 15 minutes, your provider may end the session and apply the late cancellation fee.
We know emergencies happen, so we do have a process for appealing your late cancellation fee if you feel you have a special circumstance. In general, we can grant a fee waiver for these situations:
- Health emergency that requires hospitalization
- Death of close family or friend
- Jury duty
- Natural disaster
To submit a fee waiver request, send an email to [email protected] with:
- The date of your canceled session
- Your reason for canceling
Please note that your account may be automatically charged with the $100 late cancellation fee, but it will be refunded back to your credit card if your waiver is granted. Please do not dispute the charge with your bank until a decision on the waiver is made because Octave cannot refund charges that have an active bank dispute.
Octave is in-network with multiple insurance plans, so most of our clients pay only a small co-pay fee. Most clients pay just $28 per session with in-network insurance.
For those paying out of pocket, here are the ranges for our services:
- Individual Therapy: $170-250/session
- Couples or Family Therapy: $190-275/session
For details based on your state, use our Cost Estimator tool.
During sign-up, we’ll also contact your insurance company on your behalf and provide a detailed Cost of Care before your first session, so you’ll know exactly what to expect.