Individual Therapy

We are in-network with most Anthem, Aetna, Cigna, Health Net, and UMR plans. At this time, if you are insured through Medicare, Medicaid, Medi-Cal, or Tricare we are not able to provide services to these beneficiaries due to associated regulatory requirements. To learn more about insurance at Octave, please visit our insurance page.

Octave takes the time to learn about you and your unique concerns. Upon signing up, you will complete a short questionnaire to indicate your specific needs and preferences. After completion, clients may have the opportunity to self-select a provider, while others may opt to be matched to a provider by our Care Navigation Team. Clients may also be asked to schedule a consultation with a Care Navigator if we require more information in order to match.

Our Care Navigation Team will thoroughly review your onboarding questionnaire to learn about your unique needs and preferences. Using specialized knowledge on Octave’s providers, your Care Navigator will match you with the best possible fit.

While everyone’s experience in therapy is different, there are a few basics you could expect. During your first session, your therapist will take most of the session to conduct what is called an “intake assessment” which is just asking a series of questions to have a full understanding the concerns you want to address and how they impact you, your history of emotional concerns and how different aspects of your life (like work, social, family, health) are going. Next, your therapist will collaboratively create a “treatment plan” with you which will serve as a therapy road map for the following sessions for what to focus on to achieve your specific goals. What happens after that is where everyone’s experience can be different. Some people feel immediate relief from creating a plan and starting to address their concerns. For others, it can feel a bit challenging to talk about their struggles. An analogy to think of here is that you have to disinfect a wound for it to heal properly, and sometimes the disinfecting part stings before it feels better.

With your treatment plan and therapy goals set, you’ll have a guide to know when you are feeling better and when you have succeeded in making the improvements you desired when you started the therapy process.

Individual therapy might be right for you if you're struggling with personal challenges, such as anxiety, depression, stress, relationship issues, or simply feeling overwhelmed by life. Therapy provides a confidential space to explore your thoughts and feelings with a professional who can support you to find clarity in your situation and develop tangible skills to support your mental health. If you're unsure, consider having an initial consultation with one of our Care Navigators to discuss your needs and see if it feels like a good fit.

Our therapists are skilled and experienced in providing individual therapy and are well-versed in a variety of evidenced-based approaches (such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy) in order to address a wide range of conditions and concerns, such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Based on your specific needs, we can connect you with a therapist who has specialized training to offer the support you need.

The duration of therapy varies greatly depending on individual needs and goals. Most clients at Octave find benefit from short-term therapy (12-16 sessions) to address specific issues, while others need additional time to meet their goals. Your therapist can help you develop a plan and provide guidance on what might be most effective for you. It's important to remember that therapy is a personal journey, and the length of time you're in therapy should be based on your own progress and comfort.

No, Octave is not a subscription/membership service. Clients are charged on a per appointment basis.

If you are thinking about canceling, we encourage you to speak directly with your Octave therapist or your Care Navigator.

If you wish to switch to a new Octave provider, your therapist will be able to initiate this process, and you can expect to be contacted by a member of the Care Navigation Team within 1-4 business days. From there, your Care Navigator will assist in rematching you with a new provider.

If you prefer, you can cancel your appointments by emailing [email protected] or by visiting your Client Portal to cancel.

Yes, you can definitely return to therapy. It's common to take a break and come back when you feel the need. Clients often come back to therapy if they notice their emotions feel overwhelming, they notice a change in their behavior, or if they experience life transitions such as a move, a new relationship or a significant life loss. If you had a good connection with your previous therapist, reaching out to them is a good first step. If your needs have changed, you might consider finding a new therapist for a fresh perspective.

Take some time to think about what you want to focus on this time. Your goals or challenges may have evolved, and having a clear idea can make your sessions more effective. Once you're ready, you can schedule a session to discuss your current situation and goals, or you can connect with the Octave team to find a therapist for your current needs.

The good news is that for most concerns online therapy has been shown to be as effective as in-person therapy. When choosing between online and in-person therapy, you should consider your own comfort level with these options. Things to consider are:

Are you comfortable with technology and logging into a virtual session? 

Do you have a space you can step into that’s private and quiet so you can concentrate during your session? 

Do you prefer the convenience of being able to quickly log into a session or do you prefer the face-to-face interaction in a therapist's office?