Frequently Asked Questions

► Adults & teens for all issues

► Children ages 6+ for trauma, tics, and anxiety only

► Physicians & other high-performing professionals

► Organizations seeking keynote speakers or emotional wellness programming

► Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) & evidence-based treatment

► Coaching sessions for high-performing professionals

► Physician wellness support

► Full diagnostic assessments

► Specialty assessments for PTSD & related issues for military veterans and active personnel

► Keynote speaking on emotional wellness, as well as a diverse range of other research-based topics

► Letters for disability support, ADHD medication, etc.

► Letters for support animals regarding travel & housing

Generally, Dr. Bira specializes in short-term cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) & executive coaching.

Particularly, Dr. Bira specializes in the treatment of PTSD & trauma-related issues, as well as in treatment of anxiety-spectrum issues.

Dr. Bira is licensed to provide clinical services to clients living in Texas or Florida.

She provides coaching & educational services to clients living anywhere in the world.

Dr. Bira’s 1:1 sessions are 45 minutes & can be longer if requested or required.

Dr. Bira does not hold any in-person therapy or coaching sessions and does not plan to. All sessions take place over a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform.

Dr. Bira does offer in-person retreats for qualified professionals.

Research has shown that video sessions are just as effective as in-person sessions with no disadvantage & can be more effective, as they are much more convenient for a client to attend. Accordingly, most large institutions are now using video therapy.

Logistically, video sessions allow Dr. Bira to see clients in any location.

Dr. Bira takes an action-oriented approach, working quickly to decrease symptoms and improve emotional health and functioning. She recommends at least 4-6 therapy or coaching sessions, but has found that, for some patients, even 1 session is enough to provide difference-making insight & a path forward.

Dr. Bira is a clinical psychologist, not a psychiatrist; therefore, Dr. Bira does NOT prescribe medication. She works with individuals, taking an action-oriented, cognitive behavioral approach to target the root of symptoms & retrain the brain for lasting psychological health. Research indicates cognitive behavioral therapy’s advantages over medication, though combination of the two can be most beneficial if symptoms are moderate to severe.

Dr. Bira does offer full diagnostic assessments & letters that can help you get medication & she works closely with prescribing providers when it is helpful.

Dr. Bira is not a crisis provider. She does not immediately respond to inquiries or other forms of contact. Anyone needing emergency services or constant supportive contact should connect with a crisis provider or find more intensive/inpatient models of care (PHP/IOP models).

That being said, Dr. Bira’s current clients do have direct access to her, as she values her ability to be helpful if needed & to support progress as much as she can.

Dr. Bira doesn’t currently offer phone consultations as she is almost full and uses her time for scheduled sessions. That is why there is so much information here, so you can understand the details.

The only way to speak with Dr. Bira directly is to schedule a therapy or coaching session so that she can ensure her time and attention are wholly dedicated to you. Even just one session can be helpful for understanding and to create a roadmap for change. If you feel you need to speak with her directly, submit a form HERE.

The best way to schedule a therapy or coaching session with Dr. Bira is to request one directly through her calendar by following the instructions listed HERE.

((PLEASE NOTE: Should you have trouble finding a calendar opening, it’s likely that Dr. Bira’s schedule is currently full. To be added to Dr. Bira’s waitlist, enter your information HERE or call her office at 210-920-5469.))

When requesting an appointment, you’ll be prompted to enter a credit card number, but no charge will be taken until the session has taken place. After you request an appointment, Dr. Bira will accept the calendar addition & send you a welcome email that directs you to e-sign forms & enter information into your secure client portal.

Dr. Bira charges $300-$350 per 45-minute 1:1 session. Sliding scale may be available - contact Dr. Bira to discuss.

Rates for diagnostic assessments, letters, and speaking engagements vary — contact directly for details.

Dr. Bira is a specialized, PhD, doctoral-level provider, as well as Adjunct Medical Professor at UT. She completed multiple additional fellowships with Harvard Medical School and other well-regarded institutions for further specialization alongside leaders in the field (click HERE to read more about Dr. Bira’s educational background).

As such, Dr. Bira is among the most highly trained clinical psychologists treating trauma and PTSD in the country, and has published leading research in top scientific journals. She makes movement quickly and effectively.

Additionally, she completes consistent training and integrates cutting-edge technology into her practice to ensure her services are top-tier and effective. Currently, she integrates Virtual Reality (VR) therapy into cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to ensure treatment is tailored & as effective as possible.

She began her private practice in 2015, and consistently holds a full clinical caseload.

There are several reasons for this:

► Insurance companies typically don’t recognize levels of specialization or training quality in providers.

► Insurance companies require a formal diagnosis to be kept on record, compromising privacy.

► Insurance companies often restrict the number of sessions compensated, which restricts a provider’s ability to provide adequate treatment.

► Insurance companies typically cause delays in treatment because of added paperwork & slow payments.

► The back-and-forth with insurance companies often burns out providers, which compromises their ability to offer top-tier & effective treatment.

► Dr. Bira does not need referrals from insurance companies, as she’s a top-referral for other institutions & quality providers in Texas & Florida.

Out-of-Network Insurance Reimbursement: Most of Dr. Bira’s clients get money back in this way. Typically, if you have out-of-network insurance benefits, there’s a deductible to reach before becoming eligible for reimbursement. For example, Dr. Bira is an accepted out-of-network TriCare provider. Once a client reaches TriCare’s $300 out-of-network deductible, TriCare will reimburse around 60% of Dr. Bira’s fee to the client, after they’ve paid for sessions & submitted an itemized session list called a “superbill” (Dr. Bira provides this for submission).

HSA/FSA Accounts: Some clients pay through Health Savings Accounts or Flex Spending Plans (HSA/FSA) made available through their employers

A different provider: There are many providers out there and it always makes sense to find one who matches your needs. To find a provider charging lower rates, click HERE and use the therapist finder tool. Then filter your search results by zip code, insurance type, or session fee that fits your needs. Dr. Bira recommends emailing & calling several therapists who look good to you so that you maximize the likelihood of connecting with a therapist who has openings & feels like a good fit.

Dr. Bira doesn’t currently offer reduced-rate or pro-bono sessions. Financial health is very important, and she recommends that you find another provider by following the steps below:

Click HERE and use the therapist finder tool. Then filter your search results by zip code, insurance type, or session fee that fits your needs. Dr. Bira recommends diligence in viewing profiles and emailing and/or calling several therapists in advance of making an appointment, so that you maximize the likelihood of connecting with a therapist who has openings and is a good fit for you.