Regular Hours

Current Avaiability

Unfortunately, I am no longer accepting new patients.  Nevertheless, if you'd still like to contact me, the safest way is through my encrypted email service.  You can sign up for a free email at hushmail.com and email me through this service. You will be asked to create your own password.  Please keep it safe so you can use it to log in again if you wish.  (Sometimes people tell me to create a new password even though you'd never created one before.  Please ignore such a message and just create one now.)  I pay for this service to protect your confidentiality to and from me. There is no cost to you.  My email is drkarenjohnson@hushmail.com.

I work out of my home in Pacifica, CA Tuesday and Thursday. 

Please note:  my practice is primarily psychotherapy with medication only if necessary.  While many psychiatrists specialize in treatment with medications only, I do not offer medication management separate from psychotherapy.

Regarding medication, I specialize in helping people experiencing depression and/or anxiety.  I do not specialize in treating people needing help with ADD, ADHD, bi-polar disorder, problems with drugs, alcohol or psychosis.


Rates

$260 for an initial consultation (45-50 minutes)
$220 for regular sessions (45-50 minutes)
$140 for brief medication check-ins (20-25 minutes)*
    * Again, my practice is primarily psychotherapy, although I do help my therapy patients with medication if it is appropriate.
 

Insurance

Services may be covered in full or in part by your health insurance or employee benefit plan. Historically I was a preferred provider for Aetna, Blue Shield, Cigna, HealthNet, Magellan/HAIC/MHN and United Behavioral Health/Optum.  However, in the last two years, many of these insurance companies have discontinued their previous contract with me.  Some other insurance companies have me listed as one of their preferred providers even though I am not.   For example, I am not a Blue Cross preferred provider, although some people find me through their website.  You need to check directly with your insurance company to determine whether I am or not an actual Preferred Provider.  Your plan may offer specific exceptions for a single case agreement if you were a previous patient of mine. 

I recommend that you check this in advance.  In addition, using a free hushmail account, please email your name, date of birth, subscriber ID and the name of your insurance.  I will check your coverage through the physician only portal and confirm whether you are covered or not and, if you are, what your co-pay is.  Please pay your co-pay at each appointment. 

Nevertheless, please also check your coverage carefully by asking the following questions:

• Do I have mental and behavioral health benefits?
• Is Dr. Johnson a preferred provider?
• If not, how much does my plan cover for an out-of-network provider?
• What is my deductible and has it been met?
• How many sessions per calendar year does my plan cover?
• What is the coverage amount per therapy session and what is my co-pay?
• Do I need pre-authorization?

Payment

If you have insurance, I will send an electronic claim to your carrier.   Even if I'm a preferred provider with your carrier, we may not know what your actual fee is until they respond to the claim.

If you have a co-payment or they apply your fee to your deductible, please plan to cover visit(s) with a personal check online debit or credit card payment in the Make a Payment section.  If your insurance does not cover your appointment(s) or you do not have insurance, you can pay in either of the ways noted above.  Please ask for a self-pay discount if this is your situation.

Cancellation Policy-Important, Please Read

If you do not show up for your scheduled appointment, and you have not given at least 24 hours in advance, you are responsible to pay the full cost of the missed session.

Schedule Online

Request an appointment online here.

Contact

Questions? Please contact me for further information.