What patients are saying
Overall rating
4.56
Average wait time
4.65
Bedside manner
4.74
“Excellent experience. Dr. Austin was professional, attentive, and very easy to talk to. He listened carefully, asked the right questions, and handled the evaluation with care and clarity. I felt heard and respected. Highly recommend.”
Noys C.February 11, 2026Video visit
“Super knowledgeable and really good at breaking things down in a way that actually makes sense. He’s direct but respectful, and you can tell he knows his clinical stuff. I felt understood and actually walked out with a plan instead of just venting. Highly recommend!”
CSLess than 6 months ago
About Dr. Richard Heafey
Focus areas
Anxiety
Depression
Psychotherapy
Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Test
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Counseling
Therapy
Court Evaluations
Psychological Testing
Clientele seen
Children (<13)
Adults (25-64)
Families
Teenagers (13-17)
Individuals
Young adults (18-24)
Couples
Treatment approaches
Attachment-based
Eclectic
Coaching
Existential
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Exposure Response Prevention
Identity
Gender
MaleFaith
ChristianLanguages spoken
English
Getting to know Dr. Richard Heafey
**WE DO NOT ACCEPT MEDICAL INSURANCE**
My name is Dr. R. Austin Heafey. I am a licensed clinical psychologist with a PsyD in Clinical Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies. I also hold a Master's in Counseling and Forensic Psychology from Holy Names University and a Bachelor's degree from Georgetown University. I work with children, adolescents, parents, and families to provide both support and treatment for a wide range of social, domestic, personal, and psychological concerns.
Regardless of who I am working with, my primary focus is on improving self-esteem, building self-confidence, and enriching my patients' self-worth. The more faith a person has in their own abilities and innate uniqueness, the more they are able to engage with the world they live in, the family they belong to, and the life they deserve to experience. Put simply, I aim to improve my patients' quality of life.
What should a new client know about working with you?
I meet my patient's where they are - they should not feel embarrassed or hesitant to share what they believe is the deepest, darkest, most shameful secret. Aside from the reality that out of hundreds of thousands of people, it is highly unlikely any predilections or interests are either not normative or something I have never heard, I am sincerely empathetic to the struggle one goes through processing what they often believe is "wrong."
Be it in a relationship, a worry about a family member, so form of concern about oneself - these are the core aspects which facilitate ones personal growth. I do offer advice, and I do lend my opinions, when asked. Many of my colleagues do not - I believe this is a disservice to our patients.
The reality is many personal concerns are simply unknown. When I go to a car mechanic, I do not want them to take me on a deep, expensive, journey for me to discover the truth. I want to understand it, and in a manner which is egosyntonic (in a way I can both take in, and in a manner I am capable of hearing at the time.) You will have to trust my clinician judgment to determine when the time is right - and I always trust my patients to let me know when they feel ready to consider alternative perspectives.
None of us are flawed, nor can any of us change our personalities. What we can impact is our behaviors and how we choose to respond to what other's have said or done. Above all, however, I believe bad things can happen to us in life, and WE CAN STILL BE HAPPY.
If this is the treatment goal you are seeking; if these tenets align with you, then I welcome the opportunity to work with you, to find greater harmony in life, and greater confidence in yourself.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
I begin with a telephone call: to hear your concerns, listen to your thoughts, and ascertain the strengths you already possess. After having listened, and asked a few questions of my own, I ask you to send your full name, phone number and email address to (details available upon contact), so my team can send you the necessary intake forms.
These forms help us get through the minutia I'd prefer not have to spend our time collecting (personal details etc.) I also will ask you if it is ok to send a few assessments, in order to get a better understanding of your current baseline.
I consider myself a scientist, and in science, one must understand the beginning in order to determine the course of the future. Put another way, I want to know if my treatment is working: have improvement's been made, has your mood increased, your anxiety decreased? If not, why?
I am highly trained in psychological assessments, and consider them an invaluable tool when used appropriately. It is highly dependent on the scenario - I apply the tools I believe my patients are ready for. I never push, nor want anyone to feel as though they are beyond their comfort zone. No step needs to be taken without the appropriate psychological strengths you need - put another way, we go forward together, and the path will never be rocky or unknown.
One very important detail all should know: I am not in business to keep a person in treatment for months, or years on end. My goal is to identify the concern and systematically work towards finding either control over it, mastery of it, or its elimination. When this has occurred, I will encourage a graded termination: 1x a week, will transition to bi monthly, then 1x a month. After that, I always let all my patients know they are never alone, or without support: it is but a phone call or sms message away. At this point, I leave my patient with the pride of having achieved something they never thoughts possible.
Out-of-pocket fees and assistance
Initial session: $385 for 50 minutes
Ongoing session: $375 for 50 minutes
- Files your insurance claim: You pay the session fee upfront and the provider files the claim for you, so you can get reimbursed directly without worrying about the paperwork
More information on payments and coverage
**PLEASE NOTE: WE DO NOT ACCEPT INSURANCE
Clients are responsible for prepaying for services.
At Unfold Psychology, we are a Concierge Provider, and as such, realize the financial burden of both paying for Health Insurance and Out-of-Network providers is enormously difficult. It is complicated to be reimbursed, and even more confusing to know 1) what to submit to your Insurance; 2) the type of information required; and 3) when you will receive what is owed to you - what you deserve.
Given these concerns, we have worked hard to provide all of our patients with the following insurance reimbursement supportive options: 1) promptly providing you "Superbills" (the form your insurance inevitably wants); 2) at no extra cost, allowing any patient or family to sign up with "Reimbersify," an "out-of-network" support platform; and 3) a dedicated Medical Billing Specialist who is employed by Unfold Psychology and is eager and willing to both support you through the reimbursement process and advocate for you - on your behalf.
Unfold Psychology realizes Mental Health is an absolute necessity and there is a shortage of competent providers for child, adolescents, adults, and their families. You deserve doctors who will do anything they can to make paying for the best services in the Bay Area as seamless, timely, and straightforward.
Seeking out help can be difficult in and of itself; Your Health Insurance should eagerly fulfill their commitment to you! You work to have access to the best healthcare, when you require it. When Insurance Companies fall short, we are here for you, to hold them accountable, ensure you receive the out-of-network benefits you deserve, and take that stress off your shoulders so you and focus, and we can work to improve our patient's quality of life!
Office locations
Dr. Richard Heafey, PsyD, MA, MFS, BS also offers online video visits for patients
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Education and background
Practice names
Hospital affiliations
- Highland Hospital
Education and training
- California Institute of Integral Studies, PsyD in Clinical Psychology
- Holy Names University, Master’s in Counseling and Forensic Psychology
- Georgetown University (Bachelor's)
Professional memberships
- American Psychological Association
- California Psychological Association
Awards and publications
- Psy Chi Award
NPI number
1629336003
Patient reviews
All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
4.56
Wait time
4.65
Bedside manner
4.74
Your trust is our top concern, so providers can't pay to alter or remove reviews. We also don't publish reviews that contain any private patient health information. Learn more here
52 reviews
Most relevant
I need to know why I was charged so much and my insurance was taken. I did not approve these charges
October 13, 2024Dusty A.Verified patientVideo visit
The appointment never happened. No one called me to talk to me. No staff no doctor.
September 25, 2024Imtethal A.Verified patientVideo visit
I highly recommend this doctor, my daughter feels much better just after one consultation.
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenVideo visit
Excellent experience. Dr. Austin was professional, attentive, and very easy to talk to. He listened carefully, asked the right questions, and handled the evaluation with care and clarity. I felt heard and respected. Highly recommend.
February 11, 2026Noys C.Verified patientVideo visit
Super knowledgeable and really good at breaking things down in a way that actually makes sense. He’s direct but respectful, and you can tell he knows his clinical stuff. I felt understood and actually walked out with a plan instead of just venting. Highly recommend!
Less than 6 months agoCS
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October 10, 2024Dusty A.Verified patientVideo visit
Dr. Heafy is extraordinary. He is kind and brilliant. I felt so safe talking in his office, and I didn’t even cry when I spoke about topics that have previously made me get choked up. I can’t recommend him enough. He inspires me with how knowledgeable and kind he is. He gave me a lot of strength to move forward on an issue I was having. He is the best doctor in this field in the entire Bay Area. Thank you so so much, Dr. Heafy!
September 21, 2024Arly D.Verified patient
As a neuroscientist suffering of chronic PTSD, I have had the privilege of working with Dr. Heafey for over a year, and I am grateful for the positive impact he has had on my mental health.
Dr. Heafey stands out for his empathetic approach and non-judgmental listening, which have been crucial in addressing my concerns. His insightful feedback and practical strategies have been invaluable in navigating my challenges.
Not only is Dr. Heafey highly skilled and current with the latest research, but he is also genuinely invested in his clients' well-being.
Dr. Heafey’s patience and support are remarkable. His encouragement has been instrumental in my progress.
Dr. Heafey is truly an exceptional clinical psychologist with a hands-on approach and deep expertise. His combination of caring demeanor and cutting-edge methods makes each session both insightful and effective. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable psychologist who genuinely cares, Dr. Heafey is a top choice!
More than 1 year agoME
Dr Heafey has a remarkable way of working with people and getting to the importance of the matters at hand without making peple feel defensive or insecure- he is made for his work
More than 1 year agoMM
He’s been very helpful, the best doctor I’ve been to. I’ve had a lot of therapists over the years and he has helped me more than any of them. I am a much better person because of his help. :)
More than 1 year agoCF
He’s a very great doctor. Honestly my life is so much different because of his help. I’ve had a very difficult life and he’s helped me get through some extreme moments.
More than 1 year agoCF
I had my first session and it was truly a worthwhile experience. We delved into many layers of my concerns, and he listened attentively, offering insightful feedback. I appreciated the thoughtful plan we developed together. I’m looking forward to continuing this journey with him and highly recommend.
August 17, 2024Initials hiddenVideo visit
After seeing him for months, I finally know what a good psychologist is like. He’s changed my life for the better astronomically. I couldn’t have gotten luckier, thank god I found him.
More than 1 year agoCF
Dr. Heafy’s office was absolutely adorable, and he was also one of the best listeners I’ve ever spoken too. I’m new to seeking out mental health treatment and I couldn’t imagine finding a better provider for my situation.
August 16, 2023Ladarris S.Verified patient
I highly recommend Dr. Heafey. He offered great bedside manner and was an awesome listener. It felt like a very safe space to voice my feelings and I really appreciated the incite and perspective he provided.
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
Great overall experience, felt heard.
September 6, 2022Victor H.Verified patientVideo visit
Very easy to talk to and got to the point. Had goals for me to try to get me in a better state of mind and what kind of environment I should try to be in to make that happen.
August 30, 2022Samuel R.Verified patientVideo visit
Great first session was able to identify what needed to be worked on and had a clear confident demeanor. I am confident I will find in him the help I seek.
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenVideo visit
Great first session, was able to identify my issues from the start and had a clear, confident demeanor. I feel confident I will get the help I seek.
August 6, 2022Daniel K.Verified patientVideo visit
It was a very positive experience! -AK
August 1, 2022Ardelia K.Verified patient
December 4, 2025Initials hiddenVideo visit
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April 3, 2025Daryn L.Verified patientVideo visit
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July 15, 2024Hannah T.Verified patientVideo visit
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January 15, 2023Elsbeth P.Verified patientVideo visit
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October 7, 2022Gabriella C.Verified patientVideo visit
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September 14, 2022Niall Q.Verified patient
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July 21, 2022Scott G.Verified patientVideo visit
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How soon can I make an appointment with Dr. Richard Heafey?
Generally, Dr. Richard Heafey has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Dr. Heafey's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Dr. Richard Heafey accepting new patients?
Dr. Richard Heafey generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Dr. Heafey's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Dr. Richard Heafey accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Dr. Heafey is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Dr. Richard Heafey online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Dr. Heafey using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
Which hospital is Dr. Richard Heafey affiliated with?
Dr. Richard Heafey is affiliated with Highland Hospital.
What practice does Dr. Richard Heafey work with?
Dr. Richard Heafey works with Unfold Psychology.
Where is Dr. Richard Heafey's office located?
Dr. Richard Heafey has 5 office locations, including in Oakland, San Francisco, Corte Madera, and San Jose, view full addresses on Dr. Heafey's profile.
What are common reasons for patients to see Dr. Richard Heafey?
Dr. Richard Heafey frequently sees patients for Depression, New Patient Visit, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Dr. Richard Heafey on their profile.
What languages does Dr. Richard Heafey speak?
Dr. Richard Heafey speaks English.
How do patients rate Dr. Richard Heafey in reviews?
52 patients have reviewed Dr. Richard Heafey. The overall rating for this doctor is 4.56/5. They have a 4.74/5 rating for bedside manner and a 4.65/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.