Q: What is a Good Faith Estimate Notice?

No Surprises Act Effective January 2022 You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask me as your health care provider for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.(www.cms.gov/nosurprises)

Question 1

What is different about your approach?

Accepted Answer

I blend EMDR, somatic therapy, and polyvagal-informed practices because healing happens in both mind and body. My therapy dog Talu joins us when it feels right, offering a gentle presence that supports nervous system regulation. I'm especially drawn to working with women navigating midlife transitions—the intersection of trauma, identity, and the profound changes of the menopause passage. Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, trauma, burnout, or the challenges of this life stage, my integrative approach creates space for real, lasting transformation.

Question 2

What are your therapy session rates? Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

I am private pay only and accept payment via credit card and/or HSA/FSA benefit card.  I can also provide a superbill which you can submit to your insurance for reimbursement.

For my current therapy session rates, please refer to Therapy section of the main page.
Please note that EMDR Intensives are not typically reimbursed by insurance.

Question 3

What is a Good Faith Estimate Notice?

Accepted Answer

No Surprises Act 
Effective January 2022
​
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask me as your health care provider for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.  For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.(www.cms.gov/nosurprises)

Question 4

What are your cancellation and privacy policies?

Accepted Answer

Therapy is a collaborative relationship and being able to attend with consistency and practicing changes daily to meet your goals is an important part of the process.  Which is why part of our collaboration is a time agreement.

For EMDR therapy I require a 48 Hour prior to the time of your appointment.  A full session fee will be charged for any cancellation that does not provide sufficient notice.

For information on my Notice of Privacy Practices, please refer to my Notice of Privacy Practices

Question 5

Where can I find trauma therapy in Fresno?

Accepted Answer

I offer trauma therapy in Fresno through an integrative approach that blends EMDR therapy, somatic techniques, and polyvagal-informed care. You can access my services both in-person at my Fresno office and via telehealth throughout California. My focus is on helping you heal from trauma using evidence-based, body-centered methods.

Question 6

Can  EMDR help with my anxiety?

Accepted Answer

Many people wonder how EMDR can help with anxiety. The process works by targeting the distressing memories and beliefs that fuel your anxiety. Through bilateral stimulation and guided reprocessing, we can reduce the emotional charge of these memories, shift negative thought patterns, and help your nervous system find calm.

Question 7

How does somatic therapy help?

Accepted Answer

Somatic therapy taps into your body's wisdom about stress and trauma. By tuning into sensations, tension, and patterns, we can release what's stored in your system. This body-centered work helps shift you out of fight-or-flight responses and into greater balance and self-regulation.

Question 8

What makes your approach different?

Accepted Answer

My  work combines evidence-based EMDR with body-centered somatic practices, creating a holistic path to healing. This integration addresses trauma in both mind and body, particularly helpful for complex or long-standing patterns.

Question 9

What is Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy?

Accepted Answer

Unlike talk therapy methods which focus on relational and insight-oriented resolution toward change,   EMDR therapy is a holistic mind-body approach toward change. While still relationally based, EMDR is more clinician led and an evidence based psychotherapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  It also has well-documented literature for treatment of other mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, recent traumatic events,  psychiatric disorders and somatic complaints.

EMDR is based in neuroscience and with an understanding of how adverse experiences are held in the nervous system and body.  EMDR is based in a what is called the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model which posits that  much of psychopathology is due to incomplete processing of disturbing or adverse life experiences.   To address the incomplete process, EMDR works in phases and utilizes a three prong approach of past, present and future.  This approach has been shown to alleviate presenting concerns, decrease or elimate distress from disturbing memories, relieve somatic disturbance and improve the view of oneself.

EMDR has an incredibly wide level of application and can be utilized in enhancing performance such as in athletics, business and relationships.

For more information please visit www.emdria.org (www.emdria.org)

Question 10

What is an EMDR Intensive?

Accepted Answer

Models of therapy are shifting and not only is committing to weekly therapy sessions not always a viable option, but resesarch is increasingly demonstrating the benefits of extended, shorter term sessions.  An EMDR Intensive involves short term treatment in which sessions are scheduled for either an extended period of time and/or several sessions within a short amount of time.  For example, what would normally be six (6) 1-hr weekly sessions could instead be addressed as three (3) 2-hr extended, intensive sessions in a single week.

If you're interested in being placed on my EMDR Intensive session waitlist, please reach out to me using the contact form on this site.

Question 11

What is Parts Work?

Accepted Answer

Have you ever heard yourself say "there's a part of me that wants to do things this way..." followed by "...but there's another part that wants to do it this other way?" Welcome to parts work!

Parts work focuses on working with these parts of ourselves that hold disowned, protective, or opposing aspects.  Parts can sabotage resolution and healing as they often try to protect us from the vulnerable feelings that occur with adverse circumstances.  While there are many therapuetic approaches to working with parts, I draw primarily from Internal Family Systems (IFS) and/or Ego States (Structural Dissociation) and have advanced, specialized training working with somatized parts.

Question 12

What is Flash Technique and how might it help me?

Accepted Answer

The Flash Technique is a recently developed therapeutic intervention that aids in reducing disturbances associated with traumatic or adverse circumstances.  What is most significant about the Flash Technique is that it is minimally intrusive and does not require the client to consciously engage with the traumatic memory.   Unlike other trauma therapies, it can allow processing of adverse circumstances without feeling the distress. The flash technique can be helpful with recent event traumas, grief/loss, anxiety and many other mental health concerns.

For more information:   https://flashtechnique.com/wp/ (https://flashtechnique.com/wp/)

Question 13

Do you work with women going through menopause?

Accepted Answer

The menopause transition brings unique mental health challenges. I specialize in understanding how hormonal shifts affect emotional well-being and can resurface old patterns. My menopause-informed approach addresses anxiety, mood changes, and the deeper identity questions that emerge during this passage.

Question 14

How does menopause affect mental health?

Accepted Answer

Perimenopause and menopause are whole-body experiences that deeply affect mental health. Hormonal changes can trigger anxiety, depression, and mood swings—and sometimes resurface old trauma patterns. In my Fresno practice, I provide menopause-informed care that addresses both the emotional and physical dimensions of this transition. This isn't just about managing symptoms; it's about understanding the profound shifts happening in your body and psyche.

Question 15

How can I decide between therapy and coaching?

Accepted Answer

If you're working through trauma, anxiety, or mental health symptoms and live in California, therapy may be the right path for you. If you’re seeking guided support for a life transition, such as menopause, career change, or burnout recovery—and want a creative, body-honoring approach—coaching may be a great fit.

Question 16

What kinds of holistic tools does Julie use in coaching?

Accepted Answer

Coaching sessions may include nature-based practices, expressive arts, somatic rituals, menopause education, burnout recovery tools, and midlife wellness mapping. These are grounded in Julie’s extensive training and experience but are not considered clinical treatment.

Question 17

How do pricing, confidentiality, and insurance differ between therapy and coaching?

Accepted Answer

Therapy may be eligible for out-of-network reimbursement and follows strict privacy laws (HIPAA). It requires a license and is a treatment-oriented model of care. Coaching, on the other hand, is not covered by insurance, does not involve clinical diagnosis, and follows a different confidentiality structure. I'm transparent about these differences and will help you make an informed choice.

Question 18

Can I work with Julie for both therapy and coaching?

Accepted Answer

Possibly, but not at the same time. To maintain clear ethical boundaries, clients can either engage in therapy as a California resident under Julie’s LMFT license or choose coaching/wellness services through Heartscapes, LLC. If you’re unsure which path is best, reach out to discuss options.

Question 19

What services does Heartscapes, LLC offer?

Accepted Answer

Heartscapes, LLC is my separate wellness practice offering holistic coaching, workshops, and educational programs for midlife transformation, burnout recovery, menopause support, and nature-based healing. These services are not clinical therapy and are open to clients across state lines.

Question 20

Are therapy and coaching the same?

Accepted Answer

No. While both offer support, growth, and healing, therapy and coaching serve different purposes and are structured differently.
 • Therapy is a regulated healthcare service. It is focused on treating mental health conditions, healing past trauma, and exploring emotional patterns.
 • Coaching is not therapy. It is future-focused, goal-oriented, and designed to help individuals make empowered life changes, navigate transitions, and integrate holistic tools for growth.

Julie Cardoza