Yes. I provide a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to help determine whether we are a good fit. If we choose to move forward, your initial intake session (50 minutes, in person or virtual) is usually scheduled within 1–2 weeks. During this session, I’ll gather a thorough biopsychosocial history and current symptom profile covering emotional, physical, and psychological concerns. We’ll also engage in collaborative goal setting and determine the best level of clinical care for your needs.

A six-week course of treatment provides the minimum “dose” of therapeutic intervention needed to begin creating meaningful change and improvement in symptoms. Much like a course of antibiotics, where the right dose and timing are essential to restoring health, therapy also requires consistency and structure to be effective. In many cases, we recommend a six-week treatment plan consisting of double sessions (100 minutes each, once per week). This format allows us to make steady progress without losing momentum or spending valuable time “catching up” at the start of each session.

• Direct transfers: e-Transfer (Canada), Venmo or Zelle (U.S.)
• All major credit cards (3% processing surcharge applies)

Services may be eligible for reimbursement through extended health benefits or insurance plans; however, coverage varies by provider and plan.

• California: Dr. Dashtban is contracted with third-party companies that will verify benefits, determine the portion of fees covered by insurance, and identify the portion that is the patient’s responsibility. These companies will submit claims on the patient’s behalf and will collect any required copayments, coinsurance, or other out-of-pocket amounts directly from the patient.
• Ontario: Patients are responsible for payment in full at the time of each session. A receipt will be issued, which may be submitted by the patient to their insurance provider for potential reimbursement. The provider does not guarantee reimbursement and assumes no responsibility for the policies or decisions of insurance companies.

The patient remains financially responsible for all fees incurred, regardless of insurance coverage or reimbursement outcomes.

Patients may contact the office administrator for brief administrative matters, such as confirming appointment times or clarifying homework assignments. This information is always available on your patient portal as well.

Clinical or therapeutic concerns are best addressed during scheduled sessions. Lengthy email exchanges or therapeutic conversations outside of session are not encouraged, as the most effective treatment occurs within the therapeutic hour.

Please note that email and voicemail are not monitored 24/7 and should not be used for urgent matters. Messages will typically be responded to within 1–2 business days. In the event of an emergency, patients are instructed to call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency department.

If you’d like me to review materials (texts, contracts, email threads, articles, etc.), please bring them to your session. We’ll decide together what is most useful to review based on your therapy goals and how best to use our time.

This practice does not provide letters for work leave, therapy or emotional support animals (ESA), or requests for special treatment or accommodations from employers.

Instead, such matters may be explored during sessions to better understand the underlying needs and to identify appropriate resources or referrals. My approach to psychotherapy is focused on helping patients return to full engagement in their personal and professional lives, with an emphasis on health, resilience, and effectiveness. Supporting documentation that reinforces illness or incapacity falls outside of this therapeutic approach.

Yes. I offer expert witness testimony and consultation on a case-by-case basis. Fees are discussed and determined individually for these services.

Patient records will never be shared without the patient’s explicit, written consent. In most cases, if documentation is requested, records are provided directly to the patient. When the release of information to another professional is clinically appropriate and justified, this will be discussed with the patient prior to any action being taken.

Please note that my standard session rates apply for the time spent preparing records and for any clinical discussion with patients regarding the release of information.

All patients are required to review and sign confidentiality and consent forms prior to beginning treatment. These forms outline the limits of confidentiality and the protections of personal health information in accordance with the regulations of the California Board of Psychology and the College of Psychologists of Ontario.

Appointments are reserved specifically for each patient. A minimum of 48 hours’ notice is required to cancel or reschedule a session. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours’ notice, or missed appointments without notice, will be charged the full session fee.

This policy is in place because time is specifically set aside for your care. As with any professional service, the time reserved is valuable; late cancellations and missed appointments prevent that time from being used to serve other patients in need of care.

Patients are responsible for obtaining any external books, workbooks, or other materials recommended as part of therapy. While many resources—such as podcasts, videos, or online readings are freely accessible, some may incur a cost, which will be the patients’ responsibility.

All clinical worksheets, forms, and customized materials provided during or between sessions are included in the cost of therapy. These materials are designed to support therapeutic progress, enhance engagement, and facilitate the application of skills outside of sessions.

As a licensed doctoral-level psychologist, I strictly adhere to the legal, ethical, and professional standards required in both California and Ontario. These standards include, but are not limited to:

• The Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct of the American Psychological Association (APA)
• The Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists established by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)
• The regulatory guidelines and jurisprudence set forth by the California Board of Psychology
• The standards and practice guidelines established by the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO)

These standards encompass all aspects of professional practice, including mandatory reporting laws and limits to confidentiality. Detailed information regarding these obligations and protections is provided in the consent and confidentiality forms, which patients review and sign prior to initiating treatment.

To participate in virtual therapy sessions, patients must have:

• A device with a functioning camera and microphone
• A reliable, high-speed internet connection
• A private, quiet, and stable environment free from interruptions

Virtual sessions are held with the same professionalism and boundaries as in-person therapy. Patients are expected to:

• Be appropriately dressed and prepared to engage meaningfully in therapy
• Have necessary materials ready, including the ability to write or type in shared digital workbooks
• Participate from a space free of intrusions, including other people, pets, or background noise
• Avoid smoking or consuming meals during the session; drinking water or non-alcoholic beverages is permitted

Please do not join sessions while in transit or in public spaces. Following these guidelines helps ensure the session is productive, confidential, and respectful of the therapeutic process.

Phone sessions are not offered. Therapy is provided exclusively in-person or via secure video-based (Telehealth) sessions. Face-to-face interaction, whether in-person or through video, ensures a higher level of clinical engagement, therapeutic accountability, and overall effectiveness.

Additionally, video-based sessions allow for observation of nonverbal cues, which are essential for accurate clinical assessment and intervention. This format also ensures privacy and confidentiality in accordance with professional and ethical standards, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in California and the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) in Ontario. Such protections are not available through standard phone lines.