Heale accepts clients on a fee-for-service basis and is paneled with a number of major insurance providers which we bill directly on your behalf. When services meet medical necessity criteria, your mental health or medical benefits may cover all or a portion of your care. If your insurance is not among our accepted plans, we will provide you with a superbill — a detailed statement of services rendered — that you can submit to your carrier for potential out-of-network reimbursement.

We directly bill the following insurance plans:

• Carelon

• Optum

• United Healthcare

• Blue Shield of California

• Cigna

• Aetna

Please note that certain services at Heale are not covered by insurance regardless of your plan or medical necessity status. These include co-parenting counseling, co-parenting skills groups, parenting classes, supervised visitation, HFRP, SIPPAs, and all forensic evaluations. These specialized court-connected and forensic services are provided on a fee-for-service basis only.

We recommend contacting your insurance provider in advance to verify your mental health benefits, deductible status, and any copayment responsibilities before your first appointment.

Getting started is simple. Click the Begin Your Intake button at the top of our website to complete our brief prescreening form through our secure client portal. A member of our team will follow up within one business day to discuss your needs, answer questions, and match you with the right clinician and services. If you are court-connected, please have your court order available as it will help us identify the specific services required.

Mental health services at Heale — including individual counseling, group counseling, and family counseling — are available to any client regardless of court involvement and are billable to most insurance plans. Court-connected services are specialized clinical services designed specifically for individuals and families whose participation is required or recommended by a court order, probation department, or legal professional. Court-connected services are provided on a fee-for-service basis and are not billable to insurance. Both types of services are delivered with the same standard of clinical excellence and professional care.

Yes. All clinical services at Heale are provided in strict accordance with California confidentiality laws and professional ethical standards. Information shared in therapy is confidential and will not be disclosed without your written authorization except in limited circumstances required by law — including mandated reporting of child abuse, dependent adult abuse, or imminent danger to self or others. For court-connected clients, please be aware that court orders may require progress reporting or documentation to be submitted to the court, your attorney, or probation officer. Your clinician will review all confidentiality parameters with you at your first appointment.

Yes. Heale offers telehealth services for eligible clients via our secure, HIPAA-compliant platform. Telehealth sessions are available for individual counseling, group counseling, family counseling, and select court-connected services. Please note that certain services — including supervised visitation, forensic evaluations, and drug testing — require in-person attendance. Contact our team to determine whether telehealth is appropriate for your specific services and court order requirements.

Heale accepts referrals from judges, attorneys, probation officers, dependency court professionals, and other legal professionals. To make a referral, please contact our office directly by phone or email. Please have the client's court order, case number, and required services available when you reach out. Our Client Services Coordinator will respond promptly to confirm service availability, fees, and next steps. We are committed to timely communication and professional coordination with all referring parties.

Heale provides services to clients throughout Modesto, Stanislaus and San Joaquin County and surrounding areas. Telehealth services are available to clients across California where clinically appropriate. Please contact our office to confirm service availability in your area.

We strive to schedule new client intake appointments as promptly as possible. Availability varies by clinician and service type. Please complete the Begin Your Intake form on our website or contact our office directly and a member of our team will advise you of current availability within one business day.

For your first appointment please have the following ready:

• A valid photo ID

• Your insurance card if applicable

• Your court order if you are court-connected

• Any relevant medical or mental health records if available

• Completed intake paperwork — sent to you in advance through our secure client portal

If you have any questions before your first appointment, our Client Services Coordinator is happy to assist.

Yes. Heale's clinical services are provided by licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) and associate-level clinicians (ACSWs) working under the direct supervision of a licensed professional in accordance with California Board of Behavioral Sciences requirements. Our programs are additionally staffed by Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADCs), Clinical Case Coordinators, and Certified Supervision Monitors.

A superbill is an itemized receipt of clinical services that includes the information your insurance provider needs to process an out-of-network reimbursement claim — including service dates, procedure codes, diagnosis codes, and provider information. If Heale does not directly bill your insurance plan, we will provide you with a monthly superbill upon request. You submit this document directly to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement. We recommend calling your insurance provider in advance to confirm your out-of-network mental health benefits before beginning services.

Heale is committed to transparent, professional pricing. Fees vary by service type and clinician licensure level. Below is a summary of our current fee schedule.

Mental Health Services — Insurance Billable

We directly bill Carelon, Optum, United Healthcare, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, and Aetna. Client responsibility is determined by your individual plan, deductible, and copayment. For clients without accepted insurance, a superbill is provided for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Contact our office for self-pay rates.

Court Connected Services — Fee for Service

Individual Counseling

• Associate Clinician: $140 per 45-minute session

• Licensed Clinician: $170 per 45-minute session

Co-Parenting Counseling

• Associate Clinician: $160 per session

• Licensed Clinician: $210 per session

• Each party is responsible for their own intake fee. Once conjoint sessions begin, the session fee is divided equally between both parties.

Family & Reconnection Therapy

• $210 per session

• The responsible party identified in the court order is responsible for all associated costs.

Programs — Fee for Service

Co-Parenting Skills Group

• $70 per week per participant

Parenting Classes

• $50 per group session

HFRP — Healthy Families Recovery Program

• $225 per week — includes group sessions, individual therapy, case management, random drug testing, and monthly court reporting

SIPPAs — Substance Informed Parenting Plan Assessment

• $2,000–$3,000 depending on case complexity and scope. Please contact our office to discuss your specific case.

Forensic Support Services — Fee for Service

Supervised Visitation

• Orientation Fee: $100 per party — each party is responsible for their own orientation fee

• Standard Visits (Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm): $100 per hour

• After-Hours & Saturday Visits: $130 per hour

730 Evaluations

• Fees range from $8,000–$10,000 depending on case complexity and scope as determined by court appointment. Please contact our office for a case-specific fee estimate.

3111 Parenting Plan Assessments

• Fees are determined by court appointment and case complexity. Please contact our office for current evaluation fees.

Payment is due at the time of service. Heale accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and HSA accounts. We do not bill insurance for court-connected, forensic, or program services.

For a complete fee schedule please contact our Client Services Coordinator at 209-567-2259 or Connect@heale.me

Heale provides professional documentation for court proceedings in accordance with the type of service received. All documentation requests require a minimum of two weeks advance notice to ensure timely and accurate preparation. Please plan accordingly when scheduling court dates.

How to Request Documentation Documentation may be requested in two ways:

• Complete the Documentation Request Form available on our website

• Contact our office directly by phone during business hours

Please note: Documentation is not provided directly to attorneys unless a valid Release of Information is on file. Heale obtains releases of information at intake through our secure client portal and intake forms. Court orders permitting release of information to mediation and the court are honored upon verification.

Documentation by Service Type

Supervised Visitation Supervised visitation clients receive supervision notes documenting visit dates, duration, attendance, and observations. Supervision notes do not include clinical interpretation of any kind and are prepared by certified supervision monitor staff.

Treatment Services (Individual Counseling, Co-Parenting Counseling, Family Counseling, Court Connected Services) A professional court letter is provided documenting attendance, participation, progress, and treatment recommendations as clinically appropriate. Court letters are prepared by the treating clinician and are suitable for submission to the court.

HFRP — Healthy Families Recovery Program Monthly progress reports are provided as a standard component of the HFRP program and are submitted to the court on a regular basis throughout the duration of the program. No separate documentation request is required for monthly reporting.

730 Evaluations & 3111 Parenting Plan Assessments Completed evaluation reports are provided to all parties and submitted to the court a minimum of 10 days prior to the scheduled court hearing in accordance with professional and legal standards.

Proof of Attendance Proof of attendance for all services is available at any time through your HIPPA compliant Simple Practice Client Portal. You will receive an email notification when any documentation is uploaded to your portal. This is the fastest way to access attendance records without submitting a formal documentation request.

Important Notes Regarding Release of Information

• Documentation is not released directly to attorneys without a valid Release of Information on file

• Releases of information are obtained at intake through the secure client portal and intake paperwork

• Court orders authorizing release of information to mediation and the court are honored upon verification

• All documentation is delivered securely through the Simple Practice client portal — clients receive an email notification upon upload

• Heale does not provide documentation via fax, unsecured email, or in-person pickup

Upon scheduling your intake appointment, you will receive a series of forms through your secure Simple Practice client portal to review and complete prior to your first appointment. Completion of all required forms is expected before your intake can proceed. All forms will be reviewed together with your clinician at your first intake appointment — you will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive clarification on anything you do not understand. Below is an explanation of each form you will encounter.

Consent to Treatment

The Consent to Treatment is a professional contract between you and your Heale clinician that outlines the parameters and boundaries of your therapeutic relationship. It is an important document and we encourage you to read it carefully. Key areas covered include:

• Confidentiality — what information is kept private and your rights as a client

• Limits of Confidentiality — circumstances required by law where information may be disclosed, including mandated reporting of child abuse, dependent adult abuse, or imminent danger to self or others

• Telehealth Consent — your agreement to participate in services via secure video platform where applicable

• Fees for Services — your financial responsibility, applicable insurance billing, and self-pay rates

• 24-Hour Cancellation Policy — appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice may be subject to a cancellation fee

• Additional parameters and boundaries of your treatment relationship with your clinician

Releases of Information

Two standard Releases of Information are automatically included in your intake paperwork:

• Release to Court/Mediation — authorizes Heale to communicate with the court and mediation as applicable to your case

• Release to Attorney or Identified Individual — authorizes Heale to communicate with your attorney or another individual you identify

Additional Releases of Information are available upon request if you wish to authorize communication with other identified individuals such as medical providers, schools, or other treating professionals.

Unlicensed Provider Disclosure Statement

California law requires that clients receiving services from an associate-level clinician working under supervision be informed of and consent to that arrangement. This form discloses that your services may be provided by an associate-level clinician — an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW) or Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT)— working under the direct supervision of a licensed clinical social worker in accordance with California Board of Behavioral Sciences requirements. All associate clinicians at Heale are supervised by the owner and clinical director of Heale, A Professional Licensed Clinical Social Work Corporation.

Demographic & Insurance Forms Demographic forms collect essential information needed to establish your client record, including personal identification, date of birth, address, and emergency contact information. If you are using insurance, you will be required to upload a photo of your insurance card and complete your insurance demographics accurately to facilitate billing. A valid form of payment is required to be on file for every client regardless of insurance status.

Payment & Cancellation Policy

A valid form of payment must be on file prior to your first appointment. Applicable fees, copayments, and session fees are collected at the time of service. If fees or copayments remain unpaid, future appointments may be cancelled until the outstanding balance is paid in full. If you have questions about your fees or payment responsibilities, please contact our Client Services Coordinator prior to your appointment.

Accessing Your Forms All signed forms and documents are stored securely in your Simple Practice client portal and can be accessed at any time. You will receive an email notification whenever new documents are uploaded to your portal. If you have difficulty accessing your portal or need assistance completing your forms, please contact our Client Services Coordinator by email at Connect@heal.me or phone, 209.567.2599 and we will be happy to help.

At Heale, the protection of your private health information is a fundamental professional and ethical obligation — not an afterthought. We take every reasonable measure to ensure that your personal and clinical information is handled with the highest standards of confidentiality, security, and professional integrity.

HIPAA Compliance Heale operates in full compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the federal law governing the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI). Your health information is never shared, sold, or disclosed to any third party without your written authorization except in limited circumstances required by law.

Secure Client Portal All client records, forms, documents, and communications are stored and transmitted through SimplePractice — a HIPAA-compliant electronic health record and client portal platform. SimplePractice maintains a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) in accordance with HIPAA requirements, ensuring that your information is encrypted, secure, and protected at every stage.

Telehealth Security All telehealth sessions at Heale are conducted through SimplePractice's secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. We do not conduct clinical sessions through standard video platforms such as FaceTime, Zoom personal accounts, or other non-compliant technology.

Document Security All clinical documents, court letters, progress reports, and signed forms are delivered exclusively through your secure SimplePractice client portal. You will receive an email notification when documents are uploaded. Heale does not transmit protected health information via unsecured email, fax to unverified numbers, or in-person pickup without verified identification.

Release of Information Your health information will not be shared with any outside party — including attorneys, courts, family members, or other providers — without your written authorization through a signed Release of Information. Limited exceptions exist where disclosure is required by law, including mandated reporting obligations and valid court orders. These exceptions are explained in detail in your Consent to Treatment, which is reviewed with you at your intake appointment.

Staff Confidentiality All Heale staff — including clinicians, associate clinicians, Clinical Case Coordinators, Certified Supervision Monitors, and Client Services Coordinators — are trained in and bound by professional confidentiality standards. Access to client records is limited to staff members with a direct clinical or administrative need.

Contact Form Privacy The inquiry form on our website is intended for general questions only and should not be used to submit protected health information. Submission of a contact form does not establish a therapeutic relationship or constitute clinical services.

If you have specific questions about how your health information is handled, please do not hesitate to ask your clinician or contact our Client Services Coordinator directly. You have the right to know exactly how your information is used and protected at every stage of your care at Heale.

The preferred methods for contacting your provider are reviewed with you at your intake appointment. You have two convenient options for reaching your clinician or our team directly:

Secure Client Portal Message

The fastest and most secure way to contact your provider is through your SimplePractice client portal. Simply log in to your portal and send a secure message directly to your clinician. All messages sent through the portal are encrypted and HIPAA-compliant, ensuring your communication remains private and protected.

Contact Our Office

You may also reach our team directly by phone at 209.567.2259 during regular business hours. Our Client Services Coordinator will ensure your message is directed to the appropriate clinician or team member promptly.

Please note: For clinical emergencies or crisis situations, do not use the client portal or office line as your primary contact. Call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or 911 immediately if you or someone you know is in danger.

Heale understands that life happens and scheduling changes are sometimes unavoidable. You have two convenient options to cancel or reschedule your appointment:

Client Portal Log into your SimplePractice client portal at any time to cancel or reschedule your appointment directly. This is the fastest and most convenient option and is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Contact Our Office You may also call us directly at 209.567.2259 during regular business hours and our Client Services Coordinator will assist you with cancelling or rescheduling your appointment.

24-Hour Cancellation Policy Heale requires a minimum of 24 hours advance notice for all appointment cancellations and reschedules. Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice may be subject to a late cancellation fee as outlined in your Consent to Treatment.

Please be aware that repeated late cancellations or no-shows may impact your scheduling priority and the continuity of your care. We ask that you contact us as early as possible when you are unable to attend a scheduled appointment so that we may offer that time to another client in need.

For court-connected clients: Please be aware that attendance is tracked and reported to the court as required by your court order. Missed appointments may be documented in your progress report or court letter. Please contact our office as soon as possible if you are unable to attend a scheduled session.

At Heale, we welcome all feedback — whether you want to recognize a team member for exceptional service or raise a concern about your care. Every voice matters and every experience helps us grow.

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Bright Spots — Recognizing Exceptional Service Did a clinician, Clinical Case Coordinator, Supervision Monitor, or team member go above and beyond for you? We want to hear about it. Bright Spots are how we celebrate the exceptional work happening across the Heale team every day.

To share a Bright Spot, send a fill l out our Bright Spots form to share recognition to our providers, call us at 209.567.2259, or mention it directly to our Clinical Director. Your recognition means the world to our team and helps us continue delivering the standard of care Heale is built on.

Concerns & Complaints — Escalation Process

If you have a concern about your care, we encourage you to address it promptly through the following escalation process:

Step 1 — Speak Directly with Your Provider In most cases, concerns can be resolved quickly and professionally by speaking directly with your clinician. We encourage open, honest communication and your clinician will make every effort to address your concern in a timely and respectful manner. You may raise your concern during a session or send a secure message through your SimplePractice client portal.

Step 2 — Contact the Clinical Director If your concern is not resolved through direct communication with your provider, or if you are uncomfortable addressing it directly, you may escalate your concern to our Clinical Director:

Melissa Hale, LCSW #69098 Clinical Director, Heale — A Professional Licensed Clinical Social Work Corporation

Please send a secure message through your client portal or contact our office at 209.567.2259 and request to speak with or leave a message for the Clinical Director. All concerns directed to the Clinical Director are taken seriously and will be responded to promptly and professionally.

Step 3 — California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS)

If your concern involves a potential ethical violation or professional misconduct and has not been resolved through Heale's internal escalation process, you have the right to file a complaint directly with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) — the licensing authority that regulates licensed clinical social workers and associate clinicians in California.

California Board of Behavioral Sciences 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite S-200 Sacramento, CA 95834 Phone: (916) 574-7830 Website: www.bbs.ca.gov

The BBS accepts complaints regarding licensed and associate-level clinicians and has the authority to investigate concerns related to professional conduct, ethical violations, and scope of practice. Filing a complaint with the BBS is your legal right as a client and will not affect your access to services at Heale.

Heale is committed to resolving all client concerns with professionalism, transparency, and respect. We welcome both recognition and feedback as opportunities to continuously improve the quality of care we provide to every person we serve.

We understand how important it is to begin court-ordered services promptly — and we share your commitment to ensuring there is no unnecessary delay in service delivery.

When Can Services Begin? For co-parenting counseling, reconnection therapy, and supervised visitation, services cannot begin until both parties have completed their intake appointment or orientation. This is a clinical and administrative requirement that ensures all parties are properly informed, consented, and prepared before services commence.

Once both parties have completed their intake or orientation, Heale will promptly reach out to coordinate scheduling. We ask that both parties remain flexible and cooperative in coordinating schedules to ensure timely service delivery — delays in scheduling due to unavailability may impact your compliance timeline as reported to the court.

If your co-parent has not yet completed their intake or orientation, here is what you can expect from Heale and what you can do to help move the process forward:

What Heale Will Do In some circumstances, if you are able to provide contact information for your co-parent, Heale may make one courtesy outreach attempt to your co-parent to inquire whether they are ready to begin court-ordered services. This outreach is strictly administrative — no case information, clinical details, or confidential information is shared. This single outreach is made as a professional courtesy to support timely service delivery and is conducted at Heale's discretion.

What You Can Do If your co-parent has not followed through with their intake and services have not yet begun, we encourage you to take the following steps:

• Contact your attorney or paralegal to discuss available legal options

• Contact the court directly to report the delay and request guidance

• Document all attempts to cooperate and begin services — this demonstrates your good faith compliance to the court

• Access your invoice through your SimplePractice client portal — your invoice serves as proof that you have completed your co-parenting intake and are ready to begin services. This document is available to you at any time through your portal and is suitable for submission to the court, your attorney, or your probation officer as evidence of your individual compliance

Supervised visitation at Heale is a structured, professional service that requires coordination between both parties, our certified supervision monitor staff, and our scheduling team. Below is a step-by-step overview of the process from start to finish.

Step 1 — Both Parties Schedule Their Orientation

Both the custodial and non-custodial party must independently contact Heale to schedule their orientation appointment. The fastest way to do this is by booking directly through the scheduling links provided by our office. Both parties must complete this step promptly — supervised visitation cannot begin until both orientations are completed.

Step 2 — Complete Required Forms

Upon scheduling your orientation, both parties will receive intake forms through the SimplePractice client portal to review and complete prior to their orientation appointment. Completion of all required forms is expected before orientation can proceed.

Step 3 — Complete Orientation & Pay Orientation Fee

Both parties must attend their individual orientation appointment and pay the associated orientation fee of $100 per party. Each party is responsible for their own orientation fee. Orientation is conducted separately for each party and covers the policies, procedures, expectations, and professional standards governing all supervised visitation at Heale.

Step 4 — Scheduling Begins

Once both parties have successfully completed their orientation and all associated fees have been received, our Client Services Coordinator will reach out to both parties to begin the visit scheduling process. Both parties will be contacted and every effort will be made to schedule visits according to client availability and supervision monitor availability.

Step 5 — Appointment Confirmation

Once a visit date and time has been confirmed by both parties and a supervision monitor is assigned, a text message confirmation will be sent to both parties with the date, time, and location of the scheduled visit. Please ensure your contact information on file is current and accurate to receive scheduling communications promptly.

Cancellations & Rescheduling

We understand that scheduling conflicts arise. If you need to cancel or reschedule a supervised visitation appointment, please contact our office as early as possible at 209.494.8860. Every reasonable attempt will be made to reschedule your appointment in a timely manner according to client and supervision monitor availability.

Please note the following regarding cancellations:

• 24-hour advance notice is required for all cancellations and reschedules

• Late cancellations may be subject to a cancellation fee as outlined in your orientation paperwork

• Repeated cancellations or no-shows are documented and may be reflected in supervision notes submitted to the court

• If you are court-connected, consistent attendance at scheduled visits is essential to your compliance — please contact our office immediately if circumstances arise that may affect your ability to attend

Important Reminders

• Both parties must complete orientation before any visits can be scheduled — there are no exceptions to this requirement

• Orientation fees must be paid in full before scheduling begins

• A valid form of payment must be on file prior to your first visit

• Visit fees are due at the time of service

• All visit reports are prepared by certified supervision monitor staff and delivered through the SimplePractice client portal following each visit

If you have questions about the supervised visitation process or need assistance scheduling your orientation, please contact our Client Services Coordinator at 209.567.2259. We are committed to ensuring this process moves forward as smoothly and promptly as possible for everyone involved.