FAQ

Invest in Yourself

Page subtitle

Frequently asked questions about the process of beginning therapy

and the investment costs

What is therapy?

Therapy involves sharing as openly as honestly as possible, being open to receive feedback and suggestions, trying on new behaviors and ways of being in the world, and learning specific techniques designed to help improve your quality of life, functioning, and overall happiness and well-being.

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom".

- Anais Nin

How do I get started?

The first critical piece of therapy is determining whether we will have rapport and trust to lay the foundation for a strong therapeutic relationship. We can begin with a complimentary consultation if that would be helpful to determine how these services may be helpful to you. I can also lay out my therapeutic orientation, and we can explore both of our expectations for how the therapeutic relationship will work to determine if this is a good fit.

During our first scheduled appointment and intake, we begin by exploring your history, as well as your current strengths and areas for growth. I will begin thinking through possible treatment plan recommendations and options designed specifically for you. During our next appointment, we will collaboratively develop a treatment plan with your particular goals and objectives in mind. From that launching point, we have a working foundation to begin therapy.

What is the investment cost?

60 minute session (typically individual counseling) : $125

90 minute session (typically couples and families, hypnotherapy) : $175

Payment is accepted in the form of cash, check, or Venmo

Can I use my medical insurance or do I have to pay out-of-pocket?

I am currently accepting private payment only.

Out-of-Network benefits may be accessed if available on your insurance plan. You may be able to be reimbursed by your insurance for your expenses, usually at the rate of about 50%-70%. I would be happy to supply you with receipts to submit to your insurance company.

Why don't you accept insurance?

I have decided not to utilize in-network insurance benefits because there are several limitations to using your medical insurance and benefits to private (out of pocket) payment:

Using in-network insurance benefits to access therapy means that the insurance company will have a say in whether or not you are approved for treatment. They will also direct the course and duration of your treatment, your treatment plan, therapy goals, etc. The insurance company is able to override the professional clinical recommendations from your therapist about the best treatment for you based on what they will and will not approve. They will often request documentation of our work toward their "approved goals" and "approved treatment plan". These goals may or may not be in line with the reason you are seeking therapy. This is not an ideal way to offer counseling services, and I would prefer to offer high-quality services tailored exactly to what my client needs, not what their insurance company believes they need.
If you decide to use your insurance benefits in-network with another counselor or out-of-network with myself, please understand that this gives your insurance company access to your medical record because they are a payor.
Use of health insurance for treatment requires a formal mental health diagnosis (such as Alcohol Abuse or Dependence, Major Depressive Disorder Disorder, and Anorexia Nervosa for example). Many people do not want a formal mental health or substance use diagnosis in their permanent health record, and many people who do not meet the criteria for a mental health diagnosis may benefit from counseling.
By paying privately your file and everything we discuss is kept completely confidential. Many clients do not want a paper trail documenting their mental health or substance use diagnosis and treatment. I would also prefer that your records are kept confidential and seeing clients on a private pay basis is one way to ensure client confidentiality is kept.
Medical insurance will typically not pay for couples, family, parenting, grief, or wellness counseling, and many other reasons for which you may be seeking therapy. If you are looking for help in one of these areas, you will need to find a private pay therapist.
Please feel free to call me at 717-490-3291 and we can discuss this further if you have any other questions about utilizing in-network insurance benefits versus private pay.