I am currently in network with several insurance providers, namely:

• Aetna / Meritain

• United Health Care / Optum

• Cigna / Evernorth

• *Tricare Out of Network Approved

Using health insurance to cover therapy is a common and helpful option for many clients — but it comes with trade‑offs. Below is a balanced breakdown of pros, cons, and some tips for navigating the process.

Why You Might Want to Use Insurance

• Lower Cost Per Session
  Using insurance can make therapy significantly more affordable. You may only be responsible for a copay (e.g., $20–$80 per session - individual plans vary) or a coinsurance amount (a percentage of the total fee). This can make ongoing therapy more financially manageable.

• Helps Meet Your Deductible
  If you’re working toward meeting your annual deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, your therapy sessions may count toward that total, helping you reach it sooner.

• Coverage for Mental Health Is Legally Required
  Under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, most insurance plans are required to cover mental health services at similar levels to medical services. This includes individual therapy, and often couples or family therapy too.

• Encourages Ongoing Care
  Having insurance coverage may make it easier to commit to therapy consistently, which is key for long-term progress.

Things to Be Aware of When Using Insurance

• You’ll Need a Mental Health Diagnosis
  To approve and pay for therapy, insurance companies require your therapist to assign you a diagnosis from the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual). Examples include depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc.
  This becomes part of your permanent medical record, which may matter in future situations like applying for life insurance or certain jobs.

• Privacy Is Reduced
  When insurance is involved, your information may be shared with your insurance provider. This can include your diagnosis, session dates, and sometimes treatment plans or progress notes.
  While this is standard practice, some people prefer to keep their therapy fully confidential, which is only possible when paying privately.

• Insurance May Limit Your Care
  Some plans only cover a set number of sessions per year, or require pre-authorization. They may also restrict the types of therapy that are covered — for example, not reimbursing for couples therapy, coaching, or certain treatment styles.
  In some cases, insurance can stop covering sessions if they decide treatment is no longer “medically necessary.”

• Not All Therapists Accept Insurance
  Many highly experienced or specialized therapists choose not to be in-network with insurance companies due to administrative demands, billing delays, or restrictions on care. If your preferred therapist is out-of-network, you may have to pay upfront and request reimbursement (see the section above on Superbills & Out-of-Network Reimbursement).

• There Can Be Billing Surprises
  Even with coverage, some clients are surprised by high deductibles or changes in benefits from year to year. It’s always a good idea to double-check with your provider before starting therapy.

If I’m not in-network with your insurance provider, you may still be able to get reimbursed for part of the cost of therapy. Many insurance plans offer what's called "out-of-network benefits", which allow you to see the therapist of your choice — and get some money back.

Here’s how it works:

1. You pay me directly for each session at the regular rate.

2. I give you a superbill — a special receipt with all the info your insurance company needs (like dates, services, and a diagnosis code).

3. You submit that superbill to your insurance company (usually via their app, website, or by mail).

If your plan includes out-of-network benefits, they'll reimburse you a portion of what you paid — sometimes 50%–80%, depending on your plan.

Helpful questions to ask your insurer:

• Do I have out-of-network benefits for mental health?

• What is my deductible and has it been met?

• What is my copay?

• What is the reimbursement rate for a 55-minute psychotherapy session (CPT code 90837)? What other CPT codes are covered?

• Do I require approval or an authorization from my primary care physician?

Check out this resource for more info on this topic: How to Pay and Get Reimbursed for Therapy — «Link to article with more info about paying/reimbursement for therapy services»

I offer a free 15 minute phone consultation where I’ll briefly ask about history, recent symptoms, and therapeutic need to determine if I’m the right therapist for you or your child. This is also a great time for you to ask questions of me and make your own determination of our fit.

I work primarily with individuals in 55 min session increments. Some individuals are seen weekly or twice a week, others every other week, and others monthly. Session frequency will be determined after the intake appointment.

In certain instances, such as when working with children, I will offer adjunct family or parenting sessions if needed. Similarly, when working with an individual, if his/her partner would like to join in an occasional session to focus on specific conflicts or issues, this can also be arranged.

Under the No Surprises Act, health care providers — including mental health professionals — are required to provide a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) to clients who are not using insurance or who are self-paying for services. This estimate outlines the expected costs of your care, so you can make informed decisions and avoid unexpected expenses.

What Is a Good Faith Estimate? A Good Faith Estimate is a written document that includes:

• The type and frequency of services you’re likely to receive

• The expected cost per session

• An estimated total for services over a 12-month period

It's not a contract or a bill — just an upfront overview of what therapy may cost based on what we know now. If your needs or the frequency of sessions change, we can revise the estimate at any time.

Who Gets a Good Faith Estimate?

You are entitled to a GFE if you:

• Are uninsured

• Choose not to use insurance

• Are paying for services out of pocket

I will provide your estimate in writing before your first appointment, and I’m happy to answer any questions you may have about it.

When Will I Receive It?

You’ll receive your Good Faith Estimate:

• At least 1 business day before your first scheduled session

• Or upon request, even before you book

What If My Costs Go Over the Estimate?

If the actual charges are $400 or more above what was listed in the estimate, you have the right to dispute the bill through a federal process. Full information on how to do this will be included in your GFE.

My goal is to be clear, transparent, and fair about the cost of care. Therapy is an investment in your well-being, and you deserve to feel confident in both the emotional and financial aspects of that decision.

If you have any questions about fees, payment, or the Good Faith Estimate, feel free to reach out.

You can read more about the Good Faith Estimate and your rights under the No Surprises Act here:
www.cms.gov/nosurprises

Payment is due at the time of each session. Accepted forms of payment include:

• Credit/debit cards

• HSA/FSA cards

• Checks

• Cash (in-person sessions only)

Your appointment time is reserved just for you. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice.

• Cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice or missed appointments will be charged the a $100 fee.

• Insurance does not cover missed or late-cancelled sessions, so this fee is your responsibility.

I understand that emergencies happen — if something unexpected comes up, please reach out as soon as possible.