Payment
Cash, check and credit cards accepted for payment. This includes HSA (Health Savings Account) credit cards. Payment is due at the beginning of each session.
You are also welcome to prepay for your appointments now.
Rates
125.00 for a 50 minute session
170.00 for an 80 minute session
180.00 for an 80 minute couples session
Distance counseling (phone, email, video, chat) is prorated at $125 per hour for regular in person therapy clients.
For a more affordable option, please ask me about a distance package for you.
I currently have sliding scale spots open for those who have been personally affected financially by the COVID-19 Coronavirus. Please email me for more details.
Sliding scale– please use the paypal button below. Please enter the agreed upon rate. Note a $2 fee will be added. To avoid this fee, please pay up front with cash or check.
Insurance
Update- September 2019.
I frequently get calls and emails asking if I “take” a particular insurance.
My previous standard issued one paragraph here didn’t cut it in explaining so I’m going to leave the professional jargon– and lay it out.
My counseling office is not like your regular doctor’s office. I am personally credentialed by many insurance companies (all of the big ones). But that does not mean I am an In Network Provider. I am a Credentialed Out of Network Provider.
What that means-
For example, if you have Blue Cross or Medcost, your personal plan will determine how much you will get reimbursed for your sessions with me. If you have a bare bones plan, you will most likely have to meet your deductible before they pay you back. I am credentialed to be reimbursed- but if you are and how much will be, is completely determined by your plan.
How it works:
You come to counseling.
Your life feels better already. Ahhh. That first exhale! (Seriously. This happens). You pay for the counseling.
I submit to your insurance company if you want me to.
You come back, and realize what an investment your life is. Think about all of the money you spend reacting to the things in your life. (Someone somewhere wrote an amazing article on why investing in good counseling actually saves you so much money- research included- I’ll have to post it here sometime). Anyway- back to how it works.
You come to counseling, and you pay for it upfront. If you have an HSA card, you are welcome to use that too!
If you’d like to file with your insurance, I will be happy to submit your claim for you (unless you have a very obscure insurance company that is not in my system). I can submit these claims after each session or after a certain number of sessions. Then, the insurance company will mail you a check to reimburse you. If you’ve got a decent plan, you can probably get a refund for up to 80% of each session.
If you want to find out for sure what your coverage is, please call your insurance company and ask them what they would cover for you for counseling for a credentialed out of network therapist. Everyone is a bit different! I don’t have the answers for you personally beyond what I’ve just shared. Some clients get all of their sessions reimbursed and end up with a $20 co-pay, and some have to wait a few months. You can also look on your insurance card and see what the OON Specialist copay is and subtract that from the session fee. That will most likely be the cost of your sessions after your deductible.
Please note, payment is due at the time of each session, whether you choose to file with your insurance or not.
Why would someone not choose to file with their insurance?
And why would I choose to not be “IN Network?”
Great questions.
1- Some people choose to not use their insurance for counseling for a variety of reasons. Using insurance puts some parameters around your experience. In filing a claim with your insurance company, I have to, as a licensed clinician, give you a diagnosis out of the DSM-V. Granted, if you don’t actually have a mental disorder we have some diagnostic codes to work around this. They are not dishonest, and they are not severe. Still, some choose to not have these things enter their medical record if they don’t have to. If you see me and you have insurance but choose not to use it, that information will not automatically be sent to them. One of the other big reasons people choose not to use their insurance as the indicator of who they can see is the quality of care, and the length of care.
2- Not all therapists out there who are In-Network are burnt out counselors, but to be In – Network it requires the counselor to handle a much bigger case load. I think it is very important that when you are sitting in my office, you have all of my undivided attention, and my time with you isn’t just a check off on a long list of people to get through in a day.
I listen, I remember. I don’t take notes (unless it is a useful part of the session itself that I share with you).
I’ve been in private practice for ten years now, and ethically, quality of care is my overriding influence in the discussion of insurance panels. Quality over quantity.
I completely understand the financial need sometimes to make sure you find someone in network. If that is your situation, thankfully our town is full of so many counselors!
If you’d like to work with me, we can be flexible with how often you come in; I may have a sliding scale spot open, and/ or please utilize the Online Messaging option! It would also be helpful to see what your insurance plan does provide you, what your deductible is, and what other expenses you may have that would help bring that down. It would also be helpful to look at what unnecessary expenses you have that are related to any of the issues for which you are seeking counseling.
8 Week Challenge
The proof is in the research. I’d have to add another page to list the research articles continually confirming this! Actually, the majority of the research says it’s 12 weeks. But 8 weeks still represents significant change. It also says psychotherapy starts working at the first session- unlike medication. Ultimately, therapy is your choice and you should never feel contractually obligated to come. But sometimes a good challenge helps motivate us to commit to ourselves. So I challenge you to commit to yourself at least 8 weeks of consecutive counseling. (1 session per week). If you come each week, your 8th session will be free of charge. I recommend paying your 7 sessions up front to encourage your commitment. But you are welcome to pay as you go each week too. But it only works for 8 consecutive weeks. Don’t forget- if you have insurance- they will most likely pay you back 60-80% of this. BCBS usually sends my clients refund checks in 2-3 weeks.
Start Your 8 Week Challenge Now
Reduced Fee/ Sliding Scale
Reduced fee services are available on a limited basis. If you are serious about engaging in counseling and beginning the self work involved, I will do what I can to work with you as I believe that every willing person deserves this opportunity. I also understand that not everyone’s insurance covers the cost of counseling, and will work with you to come up with fair payment. Because I value both my and your time, an initial assessment will occur before this agreement is made to ensure fit and likelihood of progress. Please contact me so we can discuss your options.
First time clients
Developing a therapeutic alliance and “good fit” is one of the most important parts of the counseling process. I offer a brief initial consultation free of charge for face to face clients while you are trying to find the right therapist.
Cancellation Policy
If you do not show up for your scheduled appointment you will be required to pay the full cost of the session. If you need to cancel or change your appointment time, please contact me at least 24 hours in advance of your appointment time, to avoid being charged for a missed session.
