Frequently Asked Questions

  • Sessions will be 50 minutes and are offered both in-person and virtually. You may expect a process of getting to know one another— your therapist getting to know your background and history, and you getting to know your therapist’s style and “vibe.” This is the rapport- and trust-building phase of therapy. As your relationship deepens, you can expect your therapist to ask you thought-provoking questions and highlight his/her observations in order to help you deepen your understanding of yourself. The work will also entail discussion and activities around becoming more in tune with your emotional experiences and physical body, and processing any resistance to doing so as it may arise.

  • I charge $225 for a 50-minute session. The fee is due at the time we meet by cash, check, or credit card. I offer a limited number of sliding scale slots and am happy to discuss this further by phone.

  • I provide sessions weekly or bi-weekly, depending on your needs. Sessions are held on Monday through Thursday 9am-4pm.

  • I do not bill insurance. I am happy to provide you with monthly superbills if you would like to submit them to your insurance carrier for reimbursement. Additionally, if you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) through your employer, you may be able to receive reimbursement from that account.

  • My office is located in Silver Lake just underneath Cafe Tropical. The address is 2904 Sunset Blvd, Suite #3, Los Angeles, CA 90026. There is ample free and metered street parking located on the surrounding streets. Once your appointment is confirmed, I will provide you with more detailed instructions for your arrival, including the entrance locations, door code, and waiting area specifics.

  • Sessions are 50 minutes, and usually begin and end on time. If you arrive late, we will still end on time. If I arrive late, I will make up the time at the end of the session.

    In the event that you are unable to keep an appointment, I ask that you give at least 24 hours notice. I will charge the full fee for any sessions not cancelled within that time frame. With regard to rescheduling a session, the same 24-hour policy applies except for extenuating circumstances.

  • People seek diagnostic testing for a variety of reasons. Some benefits of receiving a formal diagnosis from testing include:

    • Assisting your providers with treatment planning

    • Increased personal understanding/insight

    • Assisting in receiving necessary accommodations for school or work

  • If you have any relevant documents (e.g., records from childhood) or completed rating scales from any other professional, please bring these to your intake session.

    Make sure you are well-rested and nourished. If you are currently taking stimulant medication, please refrain on each day of testing until after the session has completed.

    You may not bring anyone into your testing sessions, but it may be helpful to invite a close other to your feedback session for added emotional support.

  • I will provide you with a list of recommendations based on the results of your testing. This may include referrals for other services or suggestions for obtaining accommodations in the workplace or at school.

  • Testing will likely be some combination of in-person and virtual sessions, depending on which tests are to be administered.

  • Prior to our first session, I require a 15-minute free phone consultation to make sure it’s a good fit. You can schedule this phone consultation by calling me at 408-214-3043,  contacting me by email at drnicolestrauss@gmail.com, or by using the form on my Contact page

Psychotherapy Consent Form

Notice of Privacy Practices

Good Faith Estimate

Guide for Inquiring about Out-of-Network Benefits