The short answer: insurance stopped making sense for the kind of care I want to provide.

The longer answer:

• Reimbursement is low and set by insurers, not by the value of the work. Rates have stayed flat for years while administrative demands have grown.

• Insurance requires a diagnosis code, whether or not you actually meet criteria for one. That means your symptoms get forced into a label they may not fit, or worse, insurance decides you aren't 'sick enough' and denies care altogether.

• Your file isn't private in the way you'd expect. Insurers can request session notes to determine if care is "medically necessary," and those records become part of a file other parties can access.

• Care gets capped arbitrarily by insurance companies rather than clinical judgment. This works for therapy that’s overly structured, short-term and symptom-focused, but that’s not the kind of work I do.

• Billing administration eats into client time, and it's unpaid labor. The paperwork and phone calls insurance requires add up fast, and as a solo practitioner, every hour spent on that is an hour I'm not with a client.

Working outside insurance means I can offer longer sessions, carry a smaller caseload, and let you and me, not a third party, decide how long this work takes. It also tends to bring a different level of engagement: clients making this investment often show up more committed and take more ownership of their own progress.

I know private pay is a real financial commitment and isn't accessible to everyone. Many out-of-network plans reimburse clients 50 to 80% of the session fee, and I'm happy to walk through that, along with other options, during a consultation.

Yes, I offer reduced fee and pro bono therapy on a limited basis, but those spots are currently full as of summer 2026. I will update this section when spots become available.

Yes! Here’s how the process works:

You pay me directly for each session. If your plan includes out-of-network benefits, your insurance company may reimburse you for a portion of the cost after you've met your deductible — the amount you're required to pay out-of-pocket each year before reimbursement kicks in.

One important thing to understand: insurance companies reimburse based on what they call an "allowed amount," which is typically lower than my actual fee. So even with good out-of-network benefits, you'll likely be responsible for the difference between what they reimburse and what I charge. Calling your insurance company ahead of time is the best way to understand what that gap might look like for you.

I provide a monthly superbill, a detailed receipt, that you submit directly to your insurance company. Most plans process reimbursements within 2-6 weeks and mail checks directly to you.

I don't communicate with insurance companies on your behalf, but I'll give you everything you need to submit on your own. Use the script below to guide your call, and make sure to ask for a reference number at the end.

Optional script:
“Hi, I’m planning to work with an out-of-network licensed psychologist for individual therapy. Can you tell me if my plan offers reimbursement for out-of-network mental health providers?”

If they say yes, ask:

• Do I need pre-authorization or a referral from my PCP?

• What is my deductible for out-of-network mental health services, and has it been met?

• Once I meet my deductible, what percentage is reimbursed per session?

• How many outpatient sessions are covered per year, and how long can they be?

• Are the following CPT codes covered, and at what reimbursement rate?
  – 90791 (initial intake session)
  – 90837 (60-minute session)
  – 90853 (group therapy)

• How do I submit a superbill for reimbursement, and how long does it usually take to process?

• At the end: “Can you please give me a reference number for this call?”

I accept all major credit and debit cards, as well as HSA and FSA cards. Your card will be kept securely on file and charged after each session.

Since I don't bill insurance, federal law requires that I give you a written estimate of what your care is likely to cost - this is called a Good Faith Estimate, or GFE.

Think of it as a heads-up in writing: what a typical course of therapy with me might cost, based on the rate and frequency we agree on. I’ll send you a GFE as part of your intake paperwork.