Private Pay FAQ

Why do you not accept insurance?

Choosing not to work with insurance allows therapy to remain focused on you — not a diagnosis, a company, or limitations set by a third party.

Insurance companies often require:

  • A mental health diagnosis

  • Ongoing justification for treatment

  • Access to your personal health information

For some people, that structure works well. For others, it can feel limiting — especially when what you’re going through doesn’t fit neatly into a diagnosis, or when privacy feels especially important.

By working privately:

  • Your care stays confidential and between us

  • We can focus on your goals, not what insurance deems “medically necessary.”

  • Therapy can move at a pace that truly supports your growth

For many clients, this creates a space that feels safer, more flexible, and more personalized.

Choosing how to invest in your mental health is a meaningful decision.
It’s completely normal to have questions about cost, insurance, and what to expect.

This page is here to help you understand your options — so you can choose what feels right for you.

What are the benefits of private pay?

Private pay therapy allows for:

  • Greater privacy – No diagnosis required unless clinically appropriate

  • More flexibility – Session frequency and length can be tailored to your needs

  • Personalized care – We focus on what matters to you

  • Deeper work – Space to explore patterns, relationships, and long-term growth

For many clients, this means therapy feels less like something you have to fit into — and more like something that fits you.

How much does therapy cost?

Session Fee: $200 per 50-minute session

To keep things simple and consistent, the same rate applies to all sessions — whether we are meeting individually, as a couple, or as a family.

Payment is due at the time of service.

Can I use HSA or FSA funds?

Yes. Therapy is typically an eligible expense for HSA/FSA accounts. Please confirm with your specific plan.

Do you provide documentation for out-of-network reimbursement?

Yes. If you have out-of-network benefits, I can provide a superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.

I recommend contacting your insurance provider and asking:

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

  • What is my deductible?

  • What percentage is reimbursed?

  • How do I submit a superbill?

Why doesn’t insurance typically cover couples or family therapy?

Couples and family therapy are a little different — and insurance doesn’t always account for that difference.

Insurance is designed to cover “medically necessary treatment for an individual”, not for relationships.

Because of this, couples and family therapy are often:

  • Not covered, or

  • Only covered under very specific conditions

In many cases, insurance requires:

  • One person to be identified as the “patient”

  • A diagnosable mental health condition

  • Documentation that treatment is focused on that individual

But relationship challenges — like communication struggles, feeling disconnected, navigating parenting or blended families, or working through hurt — are just as real and important even when they don’t meet criteria for a diagnosis.

What this means in practice

For couples and families, using insurance may:

  • Require assigning a diagnosis to one person, even if it doesn’t fully reflect the situation

  • Shift the focus toward one individual rather than the relationship

  • Limit the type or length of therapy allowed

Why private pay supports relationship work

Private pay allows us to:

  • Focus on the relationship itself as the client

  • Work with each person as an equal part of the process

  • Address patterns, communication, and connection without needing to “fit” into a diagnosis

This creates space for more balanced, collaborative, and meaningful work.

Do you offer sliding scale or reduced fees?

To maintain consistency in care, I offer a standard fee structure. If cost is a concern, I’m happy to help you explore other options or referrals.

Why should you invest in therapy?

Therapy is an investment in your:

  • Emotional well-being

  • Relationships

  • Patterns that impact your daily life

Unlike many short-term solutions, therapy supports long-term change and deeper understanding — the kind that continues to benefit you well beyond sessions.

If you’re unsure whether private pay is the right fit, that’s completely okay.
This is an important decision — and you deserve to take your time with it.

If you have questions, I’m here to help you think it through.

Ready to get started? Schedule your free consultation.