How much does therapy cost and what forms of payment do you accept?

My fee is $165 for a 45 minute session, for both in-person sessions in my Sacramento office and online sessions. Full payment is due at the time of service. I accept cash, all major credit cards, Health Savings Accounts, and Flexible Spending Accounts. No shows and late cancellations (less than 48 hours notice) are charged the full session fee.

Do you take insurance?

I do not accept insurance as an in-network therapist. However, I am an out-of-network therapist for most PPO insurance plans. What this means is that you’re responsible for the full session fee at the time of our appointment and I’ll give you a monthly statement (known as a superbill or CMS-1500 form) that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. The amount reimbursed will depend on your current health plan. I can’t guarantee that you’ll be reimbursed by your insurance company, so please contact member services to clarify your out-of-network benefits prior to beginning therapy.

Why don't you take insurance?

I’d have to give you a diagnosis – In order to meet the insurance company’s requirement of “medical necessity” I would have to give you a mental health diagnosis. Many of the issues I work with, including stress and self-worth issues, aren’t considered a “medical necessity.” Even if the symptoms you’re experiencing do meet the criteria for a mental health diagnosis, you may not want such a label on your permanent record as it can affect your ability to qualify for life insurance, certain types of employment, or other things in the future.
Insurance compromises confidentiality – Your insurance company can audit your records, including your treatment plan and session notes, at any time. While I believe there should be no stigma in seeking therapy, I also believe that much of the healing power of the therapeutic relationship lies in its confidentiality. By not taking insurance, I am able to prioritize my clients’ rights to privacy.
The insurance company dictates how we work together – The harsh reality is that an in-network therapist works for the insurance company, not for you. Your insurance company's priority is their bottom line—keeping costs as low as possible. My top priorities are your mental health and well-being. I’d prefer for you and me to decide together what’s in your best interest and how therapy should proceed, without any arbitrary limits imposed on us by insurance.

What do I ask my insurance company to clarify my out-of-network benefits?

- Does my plan include out-of-network mental health benefits?
- Are out-of-network services by a licensed marriage and family therapist covered?
- Is any pre-approval (such as written approval from my primary care physician) required before obtaining out-of-network mental health services in order to be reimbursed?
- Does my plan limit how many out-of-network sessions per calendar year I can have? If so, what is the limit?
- Is there a maximum dollar amount the insurance company will reimburse within a year or period of time?
- Is there an out-of-network deductible I need to meet before the insurance company will start to reimburse me? If so, what is the deductible, and have I met it yet?
- Will I be reimbursed the full amount I pay for out-of-network mental health services? If not, what percentage will be reimbursed?
- How long will it take to receive my reimbursement?
- Will the insurance company ask for access to my records?
- How might a mental health diagnosis on record with my insurance company impact future insurance costs?

Need help?

The Reimbursify app can help you find out what your coverage is and submit your out-of-network claims. All you need is your insurance card. I am not affiliated with Reimbursify in any way, but I share this service because I know how complicated and overwhelming navigating insurance can be. Check out this blog post to learn more about exactly how out-of-network reimbursement works.

Can I come in every other week to reduce the cost?

No. Twice monthly sessions might work for some therapists, but I’ve found that they’re not ideal for me and the way I work. My goal is to help you heal as quickly as possible so that you don’t have to be in therapy forever. In my experience, clients who come to therapy weekly almost always make more progress than those who come in every other week. I want to give you the best results possible and I would rather say no than have you spend money on something that’s not going to be as impactful.

If the cost of therapy is a barrier for you, I reserve a limited number of reduced-fee slots in my caseload for those who cannot afford my full fee. Please go to Open Path Collective to see if any slots are available and for more information.