Do you accept insurance?

Yes — I am in-network with a wide range of insurance plans across California, including: Aetna, Aetna - Allied Benefits, Aetna - Luminare, Aetna - Moda, Aetna - WebTPA, Aetna - Healthez, All Savers, AvMed, Blue Shield, Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial), Golden Rule, Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare, IHSS Healthy Workers, L.A. Care Covered, L.A. Care Covered Direct, L.A. Care PASC-SEIU, Optum, OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions, Oscar, Oxford, Sharp Health Plan, Surest (formerly Bind), Sutter Health Plan, United Medical Resources, UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance, UnitedHealthcare Shared Services, UnitedHealthcare StudentResources, and UnitedHealthcare/Optum.

What is your private pay rate?

Private pay sessions are available at $150 per session for clients whose insurance I don't currently accept or who prefer to pay out of pocket.

Do you offer in-person or telehealth sessions?

Currently all sessions are via telehealth, available to clients in California and Alaska. I am planning to open a physical office location in Rancho Cucamonga in the near future.

What happens in the first session?

The first session is really about getting to know each other. I'll ask you questions about what brings you in, your history, and what you're hoping to work toward. You'll leave knowing whether this feels like the right fit.

What ages do you work with?

My primary focus is adolescents (ages 13–17) and young adults (18–26). I have worked with clients ranging from 13 to 75 and bring the same standard of care to every age group.

How long does therapy typically take?

This depends on what you're working on and how you respond to the process. Some clients make significant progress in six months. Others find value in longer-term ongoing work. I typically recommend starting with weekly sessions for the first month so we can assess what you need, then adjust from there.

Do you work with families and not just individuals?

Yes. I offer family therapy for families navigating adolescent mental health, communication challenges, and relational conflict. Reach out to discuss whether this format is right for your situation.

Do you offer DBT therapy in California?

Yes. I am DBT-trained and incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy techniques across my individual, adolescent, and young adult therapy work. DBT is particularly effective for mood disorders, BPD, and emotional dysregulation.

Do you offer Christian counseling?

Yes. For clients who want to integrate their faith into the therapeutic process, I offer faith-integrated Christian counseling via telehealth in California. This is always an option but never a requirement.

How do I book a therapy appointment in California?

Reach out through the contact form or book a free 15-minute consultation directly through my calendar. I respond within 24 hours. There's no commitment required from that first conversation — just a chance to see if we're a good fit.

FAQs About Therapy in California | Insurance, Rates & Telehealth

Your Questions, Answered

Everything you want to know before reaching out.

Yes - I am in-network with a wide range of insurance plans across California. Here is the full list of plans I currently accept:
Aetna | Aetna - Allied Benefits | Aetna - Luminare | Aetna - Moda | Aetna - WebTPA | Aetna - Healthez | All Savers | AvMed | Blue Shield | Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial) | Golden Rule | Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare | IHSS Healthy Workers | L.A. Care Covered | L.A. Care Covered Direct | L.A. Care PASC-SEIU | Optum | OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions | Oscar | Oxford | Sharp Health Plan | Surest (formerly Bind) | Sutter Health Plan | United Medical Resources | UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance | UnitedHealthcare Shared Services | UnitedHealthcare StudentResources | UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Private pay sessions are available at $150 per individual therapy and $185 for family therapy session for clients whose insurance I don't currently accept or who prefer to pay out of pocket.
Currently all sessions are via telehealth, available to clients in California and Alaska. I am planning to open a physical office location in Rancho Cucamonga in the near future - stay tuned!
The first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another. We'll explore what brought you to therapy, your personal history, and the goals you'd like to work toward. While gathering this information is important, I don't believe your first session should feel like you're simply reading an intake form out loud.
My goal is for you to leave our very first conversation with more than just paperwork completed. Whether it's a new perspective, greater clarity, practical tools, or simply the relief of feeling genuinely heard, I want you to leave knowing you've already taken a meaningful step forward.
Just as importantly, you'll have the opportunity to determine whether this feels like the right therapeutic fit for you. Building a trusting relationship is one of the strongest foundations for meaningful, lasting change, and I believe that process begins from our very first conversation.
While my primary areas of focus include children, adolescents, and transitional-aged youth, I proudly serve clients ages 8 to 70. Regardless of your age or stage of life, you'll receive the same thoughtful, individualized care because healing isn't one-size-fits-all—and neither are you.
The length of therapy is different for everyone and depends on your goals, the concerns you're working through, and how you respond to the therapeutic process. Some clients experience meaningful progress within a few months, while others find value in longer-term support as they continue to grow and navigate life's transitions.
My standard therapy sessions are 60 minutes, allowing us the time to move beyond the surface and engage in meaningful, productive work together. I typically recommend beginning with weekly sessions during the first month so we can build a strong therapeutic foundation, better understand your needs, and develop momentum toward your goals. From there, we'll regularly assess your progress together and adjust the frequency of sessions based on what best supports your healing and long-term success.
Yes. I offer family therapy for families navigating adolescent mental health concerns, communication challenges, behavioral concerns, life transitions, and relational conflict. Family therapy can strengthen communication, improve understanding, and help families work together toward healthier relationships and lasting change.
If you're unsure whether family therapy is the best fit for your situation, I'd be happy to discuss your concerns and help determine the most appropriate approach during your consultation.
Yes. For clients who want to integrate their faith into the therapeutic process, I offer faith-integrated Christian counseling via telehealth in California. This is always an option but never a requirement.
You can connect with me in the way that's most convenient for you. Reach out through the contact form below, schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation directly through my website, or book an appointment through Tebra, Headway, Grow Therapy, Rula, or by searching for Mental Wellness University, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Inc. or Lauresha Z. Hawkins, LCSW on Google.
I strive to respond to all inquiries within 24 hours. There is no obligation to move forward after your consultation—it's simply an opportunity for us to get to know one another, discuss your needs, and determine whether we're the right fit for your healing journey.

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