MARK W. MARVIN, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, PSY11800

444 Camino del Rio South, Ste. 215 San Diego, CA 92108

858.565-0066, x4

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is a good time to seek psychological services?

If you are considering psychological services, go for it! People seek services for many different reasons and levels of distress. Although I see people with serious mental health concerns (such as suicidal thoughts), I also see many clients who find it beneficial to utilize me for an occasional "tune up" or as a "coach" to assist them through a temporary challenging time.

What is meant by "confidentiality?"

Laws and professional ethics ensure quality of care. Confidentiality is the hallmark of psychological services because paramount is your your trust that I keep information about you private. Unless there is a "Release of Information" form signed by you authorizing me to provide clinical information to a specific recipient, information is not disclosed unless a mandated confidentiality exception arises, such as:

Although confidentiality is an area we will discuss at our initial meeting, please call me in advance should you have any questions about its implications.

How long and often are the office visits?

Sessions tend to be 45-50 minutes. Expect to meet once per week. I tend to have 3 to 10 sessions with most clients.

Are you qualified to provide EMDR?

Yes! I am certified at the advanced level. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can be beneficial in resolving trauma. EMDR is frequently requested by public safety personnel. That says a lot about its efficacy. It is believed that EMDR facilitates the accessing of traumatic memories, thus allowing accelerated and thorough information processing. Click on EMDR to view in depth information about this intervention.

Will my mental health benefit plan cover services?

If you are affiliated with a public safety agency that contracts with Focus Psychological Services or are connected to DHS-OBP, there is no charge to you or your family members. Plus, there is no paperwork or communication provided to your agency identifying who uses psychological services!

I am selective about contracting my services with benefit plans. Your care can be compromised by the limitations of services imposed by benefit plans. Many problems (such as relationship difficulties) are not even covered by them. My services are not influenced by gate keepers. Beyond a few mandated exceptions, my policy is to have you pay me our agreed upon fee in full at the time of each session. I can provide you a "Statement of Reimbursement Request" form for you to submit to your insurance carrier.

Can I just pay cash or by credit card & bypass my insurance carrier?

Yes! Many clients prefer to completely bypass their insurance due to concerns of:

PRIVACY: To decide about authorizing services, your benefit plan will require detailed information about your mental functioning. Your information then goes into a data base of which you have no control over. Personal information could be used against your future health or life insurability, security clearances, or job offers. Paying out-of-pocket avoids any such compromising of your privacy.

CHOICE: Benefit plans typically limit your choice of referral possibilities and treatment options.

PSYCHOLOGICAL SEVICES AUTHORIZED: Gate keepers employed by benefit plans determine treatment authorization, not treating clinicians! There could be financial incentive to restrict service authorization. That is, the less paid in claims to clinicians, the more the insurance companies and managed care companies profit!