--- title: "Frequently Asked Questions | Fanshen Thompson, LCSW" description: "Answers about couples therapy, sex therapy, online therapy in California, fees, and what to expect in your first session." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": [ "ProfessionalService", "MedicalBusiness", "MedicalClinic" ], "@id": "https://fanshenthompson.com/#business", "name": "Fanshen Thompson, LCSW", "url": "https://fanshenthompson.com", "logo": "https://fanshenthompson.com/og.jpg", "image": "https://fanshenthompson.com/og.jpg", "email": "fanshen@fanshenthompson.com", "priceRange": "$$$", "medicalSpecialty": "Mental Health", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "addressLocality": "Berkeley", "addressRegion": "CA", "addressCountry": "US" }, "areaServed": { "@type": "State", "name": "California" }, "contactPoint": { "@type": "ContactPoint", "contactType": "customer service", "email": "fanshen@fanshenthompson.com" }, "founder": { "@id": "https://fanshenthompson.com/#practitioner" }, "employee": { "@id": "https://fanshenthompson.com/#practitioner" }, "openingHoursSpecification": [ { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek": [ "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday" ], "opens": "09:00", "closes": "18:00" } ], "sameAs": [ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/fanshen-thompson-lcsw-672425216/", "https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086164215212", "https://pin.it/5enxDfD" ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://fanshenthompson.com/#practitioner", "name": "Fanshen Thompson", "honorificSuffix": "LCSW", "jobTitle": "Licensed Clinical Social Worker", "url": "https://fanshenthompson.com", "image": "https://fanshenthompson.com/og.jpg", "email": "fanshen@fanshenthompson.com", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "addressLocality": "Berkeley", "addressRegion": "CA", "addressCountry": "US" }, "worksFor": { "@id": "https://fanshenthompson.com/#business" }, "hasCredential": [ { "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "credentialCategory": "License", "identifier": "LCSW #25004", "recognizedBy": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "California Board of Behavioral Sciences" } } ], "knowsAbout": [ "Couples Therapy", "Relationship Therapy", "Sex Therapy", "Individual Therapy", "Intimacy", "Communication", "Attachment", "Sexual Shame", "Desire Discrepancy" ], "sameAs": [ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/fanshen-thompson-lcsw-672425216/", "https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086164215212", "https://pin.it/5enxDfD" ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://fanshenthompson.com/#website", "url": "https://fanshenthompson.com", "name": "Fanshen Thompson, LCSW", "publisher": { "@id": "https://fanshenthompson.com/#business" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://fanshenthompson.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Faq", "item": "https://fanshenthompson.com/faq" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "cssSelector": [ "h1", ".faq-question", ".faq-answer" ] }, "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do you work with all kinds of relationships?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "I absolutely work with all kinds of relationships — married, partnered, dating, gay, straight, monogamous, non-monogamous. I have a humanist approach, meaning I don't specialize in any one of those areas. In my experience, my approach applies to any and all humans. If you're looking for a specialist in one of those areas, I might not be the right fit for you." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is this covered by insurance?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "I am currently an out-of-network provider and do not directly accept insurance. However, if you have a PPO, I work with Mentaya, who will automatically file out-of-network claims for you so you can avoid the hassle and overwhelm of this, and help you potentially get partial reimbursement for my services." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I have to be in California?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. California state law requires that I only provide clinical therapy to residents of the state. I see clients online anywhere in California, via secure video." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What if only one of us wants to do this?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Individual therapy can still create real change in your relationship. When one person shifts how they show up, the dynamic shifts too." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How long does it take to see results?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Many couples notice shifts after even the first session, and at least within the first 4-8 sessions. Depending on how long the challenges have remained unaddressed and how deeply you're interested and willing to work on healing the relationship, it can take anywhere from six months to multiple years of consistent effort. But in the end, this is completely up to you. I follow your lead and support you in whatever way you need." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Are sessions confidential?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. Therapy sessions are protected by clinical confidentiality with the standard legal exceptions." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do you offer sliding scale?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "I hold a small number of reduced-fee slots in my practice. Please ask during your consultation if cost is a barrier." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What should I expect in a free consultation?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A 15–20 minute video call where we get to know each other a little, you can share what's bringing you here, and you can ask any questions about how I work and whether we'd be a fit." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do you work with issues around sex and intimacy specifically?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes — sex and intimacy are a core part of my work. We can address mismatched desire, intimacy avoidance, sexual disconnection, and rebuilding erotic connection." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What if we've tried couples therapy before and it didn't work?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "You're not alone. Often previous therapy didn't go deep enough, or didn't address the underlying patterns. My approach is different — we go beneath the content of the fights to the dynamics keeping them alive." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do I book?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Click any 'Book a Free 20-Minute Consultation' button or visit the contact page. You'll fill out a short form and I'll be in touch to schedule your free consultation." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is your cancellation policy?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "My cancellation policy is 24 hours." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do you provide a Good Faith Estimate (No Surprises Act)?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. Under the federal No Surprises Act, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of the expected cost of care if you are uninsured or choose not to use insurance. I provide a written Good Faith Estimate before your first session, and you can request an updated estimate at any time. For more information, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://fanshenthompson.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "FAQ", "item": "https://fanshenthompson.com/faq" } ] } ] --- [![Fanshen Thompson, LCSW](/assets/logo-mark-DCWEUPFA.png)Fanshen Thompson LCSW ](/) [Home](/)[About](/about) Services Specialties [Approach](/approach/gottman-method)[Notes](/blog)[FAQ](/faq)[Resources](/resources) [Book a Free 20-Minute Consultation](/contact) FAQ # The questions _most people ask._ If your question isn't here, just reach out — I'm happy to answer it directly. Do you work with all kinds of relationships? I absolutely work with all kinds of relationships — married, partnered, dating, gay, straight, monogamous, non-monogamous. I have a humanist approach, meaning I don't specialize in any one of those areas. In my experience, my approach applies to any and all humans. If you're looking for a specialist in one of those areas, I might not be the right fit for you. Is this covered by insurance? Do I have to be in California? What if only one of us wants to do this? How long does it take to see results? Are sessions confidential? Do you offer sliding scale? What should I expect in a free consultation? Do you work with issues around sex and intimacy specifically? What if we've tried couples therapy before and it didn't work? How do I book? What is your cancellation policy? Do you provide a Good Faith Estimate (No Surprises Act)? Begin ## Let's start with a free conversation. A 20-minute consultation so we can see if we're a fit — and so you can get a feel for how I work. [Book a Free 20-Minute Consultation](/contact) ![Fanshen Thompson, LCSW logo](/assets/logo-mark-DCWEUPFA.png) Relationship therapy for people who are ready for real change. Licensed Clinical Social Worker · LCSW #25004 [](https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/971893) Affiliations ![Gesher Community Care affiliate provider](/__l5e/assets-v1/7e4684e6-648d-48d4-892e-5c8678e89c88/gesher-community-care.png) Online Therapy Sessions held via secure video for clients across California. Hours Tue–Fri, 9am–6pm PT Contact [fanshen@fanshenthompson.com](mailto:fanshen@fanshenthompson.com)[Book a Free 20-Minute Consultation](/contact) [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/fanshen-thompson-lcsw-672425216/)[](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086164215212)[](https://pin.it/5enxDfD) Explore - [About](/about) - [Therapy](/therapy) - [Therapy for Couples](/therapy/couples) - [Therapy for Individuals](/therapy/individuals) - [Sex Therapy](/therapy/sex-therapy) - [Coaching](/coaching) - [Notes](/blog) - [FAQ](/faq) - [Resources](/resources) - [Relationship Therapy in Berkeley](/relationship-therapy-berkeley) - [Find an Online Sex Therapist](/how-to-find-an-online-sex-therapist) - [Contact](/contact) Specialties - [Infidelity & Affair Recovery](/specialties/infidelity-affair-recovery) - [Desire Discrepancy](/specialties/desire-discrepancy) - [Sexual Shame](/specialties/sexual-shame) - [Communication Breakdown](/specialties/communication-breakdown) - [Anxious Attachment](/specialties/anxious-attachment-couples) - [Parenting Conflict](/specialties/parenting-conflict) In crisis? If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call or text [988](tel:988) (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call [911](tel:911). This site is not a substitute for emergency care. [Privacy](/privacy.html)[Terms](/terms.html)[Cookies](/cookie.html)[Disclosures](/disclaimers.html)[Good Faith Estimate](/good-faith-estimate.html)[Accessibility](/accessibility)[Cookie Settings](/cookie.html) Contacting this practice does not establish a therapist–client relationship. Individual outcomes vary. Nothing on this site guarantees a specific clinical result. © 2026 Fanshen Thompson, LCSW. All rights reserved. Photography by Allison Busch Website by [Automaus.ai](https://automaus.ai) Your privacy matters Functional cookies are required. Analytics and marketing cookies are off by default — you choose. 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