01
How does telehealth therapy work?
Pacific Mental Health Services delivers all sessions through Doxy.me, a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform. Doxy.me is completely free to use and does not require patients to create an account or download any software.
Prior to your session, your clinician will provide you with a secure room link and password to join. Simply click the link at your appointment time and you will be connected directly to your provider.
We strongly recommend joining from a quiet, private space — ideally your own home — and advise against connecting to public Wi-Fi. All patients must be physically located within California at the time services are rendered.
Privacy Notice: Telehealth sessions carry inherent privacy limitations including potential data interception over unsecured networks and the presence of others in your environment. By participating, you acknowledge these limitations.
02
Associate clinician vs. fully licensed therapist
In California, associate clinicians hold titles such as APCC, ACSW, or AMFT. These designations indicate the clinician has completed graduate-level education and holds a provisional license issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), authorizing them to practice under the direct supervision of a board-approved clinical supervisor.
Associates are working toward full licensure, which requires 3,000 supervised post-graduate clinical hours. Once completed and all licensing examinations are passed, the clinician transitions to fully independent practice.
All associate clinicians at Pacific Mental Health Services practice under the supervision of Ryan Frost, LMFT #51777, a licensed clinical supervisor registered with the California BBS.
03
How long are therapy sessions?
Standard individual therapy sessions at Pacific Mental Health Services are 50 to 60 minutes in length. For billing and insurance purposes, sessions of 53 minutes or more are classified under CPT code 90837 — the 60-minute individual psychotherapy code. Sessions of 38 to 52 minutes are billed under CPT code 90834.
Your clinician will work with you to determine the session length and frequency that best supports your treatment goals. If you have questions about how your insurance covers specific session lengths or CPT codes, we recommend contacting your insurance provider directly or speaking with your clinician prior to your first session.
04
How do I get started?
Getting started is straightforward. You can reach us by phone or email — whichever you prefer. We respond to all inquiries within 24 hours.
Ryan Frost, LMFT — (530) 604-4309 · rfrost@pacmhs.com
Dmitri Kolpacoff, APCC — (925) 771-0430 · dkolpacoff@pacmhs.com
Once we hear from you, we will schedule your free 15-minute consultation at a time that works for you. From there, if it feels like a good fit, we will schedule your intake session and get your care underway. We are currently accepting new patients immediately and do not maintain a waitlist.
There is no pressure and no commitment required at any stage. The consultation exists solely to answer your questions and ensure we are the right match for your needs.
05
Do you accept insurance?
Yes. Pacific Mental Health Services currently accepts Partnership Health Plan of California and Medi-Cal. Partnership Health Plan covers all session types offered at our practice.
We also offer private pay options for patients who are uninsured, whose insurance we do not currently accept, or who prefer to pay out of pocket. Private pay rates will be discussed directly with you during your free 15-minute consultation, as rates may vary depending on the clinician and your specific circumstances.
If you are unsure whether your insurance is accepted or have questions about coverage, please contact us before your first session and we will do our best to help clarify your options.
06
What is the free 15-minute consultation?
The free consultation is a brief, no-obligation introductory conversation designed to help both you and your prospective clinician determine whether we are a good fit. It is not a therapy session — it is simply an opportunity to connect before making any commitment.
During the consultation, your clinician will ask about what brings you to therapy, your presenting concerns, your goals, and how you heard about us. We will also explain the services we offer, walk you through what to expect from the process, and answer any questions you have.
Consultations are conducted by whichever clinician has availability, most commonly an associate clinician. You may choose to have the consultation over a secure telephone call or through Doxy.me, our HIPAA-compliant video platform. Either option is completely free.
07
Is everything I share in therapy confidential?
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the therapeutic relationship. At Pacific Mental Health Services, what you share in your sessions is private and protected under both California law and federal law, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA).
Before services begin, all patients are asked to review and sign a comprehensive informed consent and confidentiality agreement. This document outlines your rights, the nature of the therapeutic relationship, and the circumstances under which confidentiality may be limited.
Limits of confidentiality. Confidentiality is not absolute. There are specific, legally defined circumstances under which a clinician is required or permitted to disclose information without your consent. These include:
· Mandatory reporting obligations. All clinicians at Pacific Mental Health Services are mandated reporters under California law, including Assembly Bill 1542 and Penal Code § 11166. If a clinician has reasonable suspicion that a child, dependent adult, or elder is being abused or neglected, they are legally required to report this to the appropriate authorities.
· Imminent danger. If a clinician has reason to believe that you pose a serious and imminent threat of harm to yourself or another identifiable person, they may be required to take steps to prevent that harm, including contacting emergency services or the intended victim.
· Court orders. In certain legal proceedings, a court may order the disclosure of records or testimony.
Coordinated care and additional consents. If you would like your clinician to communicate with your primary care provider, another licensed healthcare professional, or any other individual involved in your care, you will be asked to complete a written Authorization for Release of Information. This ensures that any sharing of your information is done with your full knowledge and explicit consent.
Use of AI tools. Pacific Mental Health Services utilizes certain Artificial Intelligence tools to support clinical documentation and administrative functions. Prior to the use of any such tools in connection with your care, you will be provided with and asked to sign a separate Consent for Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools in Therapy Services, which explains how AI is used, what information may be involved, and your rights in that process.
08
What can I expect from my first session?
Before your first session. Once you are scheduled, you will receive an invitation via email to set up your patient account through SimplePractice, our secure practice management platform. Through SimplePractice, you will complete all required intake paperwork — including your informed consent forms, demographic information, and any relevant intake questionnaires — prior to your first appointment. Completing this paperwork in advance allows your clinician to dedicate the full session to getting to know you.
During your first session. Most intake sessions are 50 to 60 minutes in length and are billed under CPT code 90837. Your first session is an opportunity for your clinician to understand who you are and what brings you to therapy. You can expect your clinician to ask about your presenting concerns, your personal and family history as it relates to your mental health, your goals for treatment, and what you are hoping to get out of the therapeutic process. Together, you and your clinician will begin to develop a treatment plan tailored specifically to your needs.
The first session is also an opportunity for you to assess the fit. Therapy is a collaborative process, and feeling comfortable with your clinician matters. There is no pressure to share more than you are ready to — the pace of your care is always guided by you.
After your first session. If you and your clinician agree that it is a good fit, you will schedule ongoing sessions at a frequency that supports your goals. If at any point you have questions about the process, your clinician is available to address them.
09
Do you offer therapy for children, teens, and couples?
Yes. Pacific Mental Health Services provides therapy for individuals of all ages — including children, adolescents, adults, and older adults — as well as couples and families. We do not have a minimum age requirement.
Children and adolescents. We recognize that children and teenagers face a distinct set of challenges, including school-related stress, academic pressure, behavioral concerns, family conflict, social difficulties, anxiety, and emotional regulation. Our clinicians are experienced in working with younger populations and adapt their approach to meet each patient where they are developmentally.
For minor patients, a parent or legal guardian is required to be present for the intake session, as parental or guardian consent is a fundamental part of initiating care for minors. Following the intake, the structure of ongoing sessions — including the degree of parental or guardian involvement — is determined collaboratively based on what best serves the minor's therapeutic progress. We understand that every family is different, and we approach the question of family involvement with the flexibility and nuance that each situation deserves.
All decisions regarding the sharing of information between a minor patient and their parent or legal guardian are made in accordance with California law — including the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA), HIPAA, and applicable provisions of the California Family Code — and are discussed transparently with all parties at the outset of treatment.
Couples counseling. We offer couples therapy for partners who are navigating relationship challenges, communication difficulties, conflict, life transitions, or other relational concerns. For couples therapy to be most effective, we expect both partners to attend each session. The shared space is where the therapeutic work happens, and consistent participation from both individuals is essential to meaningful progress.
