Payment Options

I’ve chosen not to work directly with insurance because I believe therapy should be guided by your needs—not by the limits of a third party. Insurance companies often require a formal diagnosis, restrict the number of sessions, or narrow the types of treatment available. By working outside of insurance, we can create a space that’s flexible, personalized, and focused entirely on you.

If you’d like to use your out-of-network benefits, I’m happy to provide a superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.

Questions To Ask Your Insurance Provider Prior To Counseling

If you would like to investigate the possibility of reimbursement for out-of-network coverage, please check your policy carefully and ask the following questions of your provider:

1.    Do I have mental health benefits?

2.    What is my deductible and has it been met?

3.    How many mental health sessions per calendar year does my insurance plan cover?

4.    How much does my plan cover for an out-of-network mental health provider?

5.    How do I obtain reimbursement for therapy with an out-of-network provider?

6.    What is the coverage amount per therapy session?

7.    Is approval required from my primary care physician?

Benefits of Forgoing Insurance and Paying Privately

1.    Choosing a therapist that's right for you - Participating therapists on an insurance panel elect to seek participation on that insurance panel, and are accepted per the insurance company's availability for new providers. More often than not, there is not a careful selection process, but instead insurance companies typically include therapists based on location, price, or therapeutic approach. This may mean that access to customized, quality mental health coverage is limited and you find your therapist is not a good fit for you.

2.    Control over your therapy - Many insurance companies set limits on the type, frequency, or amount of sessions you may have. Insurance companies may demand a review of your mental health records, which means they can review and/or question the treatment you're receiving and/or whether or not they will discontinue coverage for your sessions. Insurance companies may also require that you take medication before they will approve counseling sessions for you.

3.     Confidentiality - Insurance companies require, at minimum, dates of service and mental health diagnosis in order to pay (or reimburse you) for your therapy sessions. While your counseling is confidential, you must sign a form that allows the counselor to communicate this confidential information to your insurance company. In the event that your insurance company requires pre-authorization for treatment and/or reviews your file, additional information, such as therapy session notes, must be provided to the insurance company. It is important to note that this information becomes part of your record and could be used by insurance companies to determine future insurance rates or eligibility, eligibility in the armed forces, driving record, etc. This is particularly important when considering counseling for your child(ren).