FAQs

Who is Nourished Wellness Group suitable for?

Nourished Wellness Group is suitable for anyone seeking holistic approaches toward greater mental health and well-being. While our services are designed with a focus on supporting women, we strive to foster inclusivity by extending our care to anyone navigating anxiety, trauma, and life transitions. Whether you're interested in individual therapy, relationship therapy, or other specialized offerings, our compassionate wellness collaborative is dedicated to providing personalized care that honors your individual journey and needs.

What are your session fees?

Session fees vary depending on your provider(s). Please see below for a range of estimated costs.* The cost of supplemental holistic offerings our separate from Nourished Wellness Group. Please ask your holistic provider directly for their individual rates. *We maintain a limited amount of sliding scale spots in our schedules. If you’re unable to afford our full fee, please reach out as we’d be happy to offer referrals to other trusted therapists in the area.

What should I expect when I start therapy, especially somatic therapy?

Therapy is a process, not a quick fix—and that’s especially true for somatic work. If you think about your nervous system and the ways it has moved through the world over years or even decades, it’s natural that shifts take time. Healing and growth happen intentionally, in steps, and often in ways that feel subtle at first.

In somatic therapy, we pay attention not just to your thoughts and feelings, but also to how your body holds stress, tension, and patterns from past experiences. To start shifting habits and patterns, you need three key things: awareness, safety, and intentional exploration. Together, we help you notice where your body and mind get stuck, build a sense of safety in those moments, and explore new ways of being—gradually, thoughtfully, and with support.

Here’s what to expect in your sessions:

  • A safe, supportive space: You set the pace, and we meet you where you are.

  • Connection with your body and mind: We explore physical sensations, thoughts, and emotions to uncover patterns that may be holding you back.

  • Practical tools and gentle guidance: From grounding exercises to movement or breath work, you’ll learn strategies to regulate your nervous system and build awareness.

  • Intentional, steady progress: Healing is gradual. It may feel slow at times, but every insight, release, or small shift is meaningful progress toward your goals.

It’s our job to guide you toward your goals while honoring your pace. Somatic therapy is about creating lasting change, not quick fixes. Over time, this process can help you feel more present, empowered, and connected to both your body and your life.

Do you offer virtual therapy options?

Our warm, welcoming space in Encinitas, California, provides a nurturing, stigma-free setting to participate in healing. While we encourage in-person appointments, we understand life gets busy. We’re happy to offer virtual therapy options if that better suits your schedule. Simply let us know your preferences during the free consultation call, and we’ll ensure your appointments are booked accordingly. 

how do I know which therapist is right for me?

We encourage you to visit our About page to get acquainted with our therapists and their respective areas of expertise. With a diverse range of specialties and experiences within our team, we recognize that choosing a therapist can feel challenging. If you’re finding that to be the case, we invite you to schedule a consultation with us. During this initial 1:1 time together, we’ll discuss your needs and preferences to help you find the right fit.

do you take insurance?

We’re excited to share that a select number of therapists at Nourished Wellness Group are now in-network with certain insurance plans. These include Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and UnitedHealthcare affiliates (Surest, UMR, UBH, UHC, Optum, GEHA, Sutter Health/SutterSelect, WebTPA, and Oscar). However, not all therapists in our practice accept insurance. To find out which therapists are in-network, please visit our About page—insurance details are listed in each clinician’s bio.

If you’re seeing a therapist who is private-pay or out-of-network with your plan, we offer a supportive option to help make therapy more accessible and support reimbursement:

  1. Thrizer Platform: You also have the option to use Thrizer. Thrizer is a platform that simplifies the out-of-network insurance process by handling claims on your behalf. Thrizer takes care of submitting and tracking your claims (and ensures you receive reimbursement), so you can focus on therapy without the stress of managing insurance paperwork.

During our intake process, we’re happy to verify your out-of-network benefits and help you determine which option may be best for you.

how often will I attend therapy?

Sessions typically last 50 minutes and are usually scheduled weekly, although the duration and frequency may vary according to your individual needs.

At the onset of therapy, we recommend weekly sessions to establish a strong and positive rapport between you and your therapist. This consistent schedule can also help you move towards your therapy goals more quickly.

how is progress monitored?

First, it’s important to share that client motivation and commitment are necessary for therapy to be successful. Therapy is a gradual process that often necessitates making small adjustments each day.

Your therapist will closely monitor your progress, gathering information from you directly while using various assessment tools to gauge change. If, at any time, you feel that therapy isn’t proving to be beneficial or you aren’t experiencing the desired progress, we encourage you to openly communicate this with your therapist.

Occasionally, the therapist-client relationship may not be the best fit. In this case, we’re more than happy to assist you in finding another therapist within the Nourished community or providing an outside referral.

Session Fees

Do you accept insurance?
Yes, we do! That said, not all of our therapists are in-network. If your therapist isn’t, don’t worry—we often guide clients to use Thrizer, a tool that makes accessing out-of-network benefits simple and stress-free. Thrizer helps you submit claims, track reimbursements, and handle all the paperwork without the hassle.

If you have Aetna or United insurance, you can see Stephanie Shao, LCSW or Dr. Sierra Garthwaite, who are in-network and can help you make the most of your coverage.

During your initial consultation call, we’ll collect your insurance information. Our insurance specialist will verify your benefits, explain their details.

  • Licensed Clinical Psychologist

    • Individual session is $250

    • Somatic EMDR is $250. Intensives vary, please visit EMDR Intensive page to learn more.

  • Licensed Clinical Psychologist

    • Individual session is $250/session.

    • Fees for Attachment-focused EMDR, please visit EMDR Intensives.

    • Fees for Ketamine-Assisted Therapy will be discussed during the consultation call.

  • Licensed Psychologist

    • Individual session is $220.

  • Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

    • Individual session is $200.

    • Couples session is $250.

    • Sliding scale spot may be available.

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker

    • Individual session is $200/session.

  • Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

    • Individual Therapy session is $220.

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