SERENA PUGA, MD
  Psychiatry and Therapy 

COMPREHENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FOR ADULTS, ADOLESCENTS AND COUPLES
IN PERSON AND VIDEO APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE

What type of patients are treated?

 

I treat adults in primarily individual treatment. I have a special interest in treating young adults in transition, personality disorders and have specialized training in mood disorders. I work with many people who want to receive psychotherapy from the same person that prescribes their medications or can offer medication services if they become necessary in the course of treatment. I work psychotherapeutically on a one time weekly or greater basis, as oftentimes the patients I work with need more support than once weekly sessions can provide. With the patient's consent I also  work with families to educate and support them in coping with the condition of their loved one.

 

Is my treatment confidential?  

 

With the exception of risks of harm to self or others or being functionally incapacitated due to illness, your treatment is strictly confidential unless your express consent is given.

 

How long does it take?

 

The length of treatment depends entirely on what your goals and objectives for treatment are. There is a time and a place for short term support in a crisis, but if the goals are more comprehensive and if the condition is more longstanding, treatment can take much longer. For some psychiatric conditions, medications will make people feel much better quite quickly, but it may require maintenance treatment and surveillance in an ongoing fashion.

 

Do you take insurance?

 

I do not contract directly with any insurance provider. I bill my fees directly to patients and patients generally get reimbursed by submitting the claim to their insurance company, if they are eligible for reimbursement for out of network care.  The Affordable Care Act has greatly narrowed physician networks and placed higher deductibles and coinsurance on out of network care in recent years, and this is a quickly evolving area of change. I strongly recommend speaking to one's insurance company directly prior to seeking out of network care to be clear on what is reimbursed. I provide a superbill for insurance submission. I do not take Medicare or Medi-CAL.

 

Do you have a sliding scale?

 

I provide unreimbursed care to UCLA students through the Office of Mental Health Services for Physicians in Training, but I am not able to provide sliding scale treatment outside of this program. I can make recommendations for lower cost treatment if my fees are not feasible for you.

 

What are your fees?

 

Please call the office to inquire.