Get started
Getting started is one low-pressure call.
It begins with a free 15 to 20 minute Get to Know Us call. No intake interrogation, no commitment, just a chance to tell us what's going on and see whether we're the right fit. Ready when you are.
What happens on the call
Four small steps, and none of them are scary
Reaching out is the part people dread most. Here's exactly how it goes, so nothing about it is a surprise.
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You book the free call
Pick a time that works on our scheduler. It's 15 to 20 minutes, by phone or video, and it's genuinely free. You don't need to prepare anything or have your story tidy.
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We listen
You tell us what's bringing you in, in your own words and at your own pace. We're listening for what you need and hoping you'll feel understood, not running you through a checklist.
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We match you to the right person
Based on what you share, we point you to the right therapist, whether that's Kay directly or one of the associates she personally trains and supervises. The fit matters more than the resume.
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You book your first session
If it feels right, we schedule your first full session with that therapist, usually within 24 hours. If we're not the right fit, we'll happily point you toward someone who is.
Where it happens
The room you'd actually walk into.
No clipboard clinic, no waiting room with a sliding glass window. Our office on Third Street looks a lot more like someone's living room, because an hour spent talking about the hardest thing in your life should not also involve fluorescent lighting.
If getting here is the hard part, telehealth covers any California resident, and Beach Therapy happens on the coastline a few blocks away. The room is one option of three.
Pick a time
Book your free Get to Know Us call.
Choose whatever slot suits you. It is 15 to 20 minutes, by phone or video, and nothing is owed after it.
| Service | Rate |
|---|---|
| Sessions with an associate therapist | $160 to $315 |
| Sessions with Kay Wenger | $190 to $390 |
The range reflects session length (50, 75, or 90 minutes) and format (individual, couples, or family). We're out-of-network and provide a Superbill at every session for PPO reimbursement. A sliding scale is available on request. The free Get to Know Us call is always free.
Why don't we take insurance directly? Laguna Beach Counseling is an out-of-network practice. We do not bill insurance directly, which allows us to deliver full-length sessions, protect client confidentiality, and avoid the diagnostic labeling required by insurance reimbursement. We provide Superbills at every session for clients to submit to their PPO insurance for out-of-network reimbursement.
Wondering if that's worth it? For a lot of people it is, and if cost is the thing standing between you and starting, say so on the call. That's a conversation, not a closed door.
Before you book
The questions people ask first
What's a first session actually like?
Wondering what to even say? You don't need to arrive with a tidy summary of your life. That's our job to help sort out together. Less like an interview and more like a conversation, we spend the first session getting a real picture of what's going on and what you're hoping will feel different, at whatever pace feels comfortable for you. Sessions run 50, 75, or 90 minutes depending on what you book, in person in Laguna Beach or by secure video.
Do you take insurance?
We are out-of-network and do not bill insurance directly. If you have a PPO plan, we give you a Superbill at every session that you can submit to your insurer for possible out-of-network reimbursement. We do not accept HMO or EPO plans. We accept payment at the time of service. Whether your plan reimburses you, and how much, is between you and your insurance company, so it is worth calling them before you start.
How do I know who to see?
Not sure who on the team would be the right fit? You don't have to figure that out alone. That's exactly what the free Get to Know Us call is for. Tell us what's going on, and we'll help match you with the right therapist, whether that's me directly or one of the associates I supervise. Most clients find the fit becomes obvious pretty quickly once they're actually talking to someone.
Do you offer evenings and weekends?
Yes to all three. Several therapists offer evening and weekend availability, and we provide secure online therapy to anyone located anywhere in California. Exact openings vary by therapist. Learn how [telehealth across California](/telehealth) works.
Whenever you're ready.
The hardest step is the first one. A free 15 to 20 minute call is a gentle place to take it.
Navigating Life's Waves Together