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

The longer answer is that the mental health insurance landscape has become genuinely difficult for therapists and clients alike. Reimbursement rates have stayed flat for years, while the administrative burden has grown significantly. Insurance is also increasingly shaped by cost-containment pressure from large, profit-driven systems, where the incentive is to keep sessions short, not support deeper care. That model is built for short-term, symptom-focused treatment, not the specialized, depth-oriented work I do with gay and bisexual men around body image, eating concerns, and anxiety.

By working outside of insurance, I can offer longer sessions, take on fewer clients, and give each person more of my time. It also means I'm not required to assign a diagnosis to justify your care, which matters for clients simply navigating hard moments rather than meeting clinical criteria, and it means your records aren't part of an insurance file other parties could access. Most importantly, no one outside this room decides how long you get to do this work. That's between you and me.

I know private pay is a significant financial commitment and isn't accessible to everyone. If cost is a barrier, I'm happy to talk through options during a consultation.

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.

A "good faith estimate" is a document provided by a healthcare provider that outlines the expected charges for a scheduled medical procedure or service, given to patients who are uninsured or not planning to use insurance to pay for their care, essentially acting as a pre-bill detailing what they can anticipate paying for their treatment. 

You’ll receive a good faith estimate as part of your intake paperwork.