FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are the most common questions, and their corresponding answers, which patients ask Dr. Umar:
I accept payment in cash or by major credit card at the conclusion of each session. In addition, you are free to pay for sessions in advance. I also accept Medicare insurance. I’m not affiliated with other insurance panels, but if you have a PPO and want to submit a claim for out-of-network coverage, I can give you a superbill with all the information you need. If at any time you feel that you can no longer afford to see me, please let me know, and we can discuss other options.
Everything we discuss in our sessions is kept strictly confidential to protect you, and to help you feel safe and secure in discussing your private concerns with me as part of the therapy process. This is extremely important to me, and I take confidentiality very seriously. Since trust is an inherent part of the therapist-patient dynamic, I will never betray your trust by disclosing anything we talk about to anyone.
It is difficult to predict how long a patient will choose to stay in therapy; much of that depends on the progress made. Patients vary widely tremendously in their need for psychotherapy, their interest in it, and the pace at which they achieve results. As we work together, we will constantly assess how your therapy is progressing, and we will openly discuss the option that is best for you.
The decision to enter therapy is a very personal one, but it typically originates from a desire to change or stop feeling a certain way. A patient may have long-standing unresolved issues, such as an ongoing struggle with anxiety or depression, that continues to negatively impact his life, and must be addressed now before it spirals out of control. Other patients may begin therapy to navigate a major life transition, cope with the loss of a loved one, or seek additional support to pursue a path of personal exploration or growth. In all of these examples, therapy can provide support, insight, and new perspective for many of life’s challenges. Therapy is right for anyone who is hoping to get the most out of his life, increase self-awareness, and work toward making positive changes.
I do provide telepsyche support, which involves receiving psychological services via videoconferencing instead of in-office appointments, to select patients. Telepsyche allows patients to receive specialized behavioral health treatment from the comfort of their own surroundings, and overcome barriers to psychological care, such as distance and availability.
To qualify for telepsyche with Dr. Umar, you must be located in California at the time of the appointment. If you’re interested in this type of counseling please email Dr. Umar at drumar@drumar.com.