Rates and Insurance
Why Financially Invest In Therapy?
Investing in therapy is like putting money into a mental health savings account. Just as you’d see a financial advisor to help grow your assets, seeing a therapist helps you manage and improve your emotional well-being, helping you life a more fulfilling life. It’s not just about dealing with problems; it’s about building resilience, understanding yourself better, navigating relationships in a way that you feel good about, and developing healthier ways to handle life’s ups and downs. For those who have experienced trauma, therapy can be especially transformative—it helps you process your experiences without letting them control you, allowing you to reconnect with yourself and live with greater clarity and peace. Think of it this way: by spending on therapy, you’re investing in a happier, more balanced future and a more effective you. That's the best gift you can give yourself!
Why Invest In Your Relationship?
Research shows that being in a healthy relationship improves overall health. Here are all the reasons why to invest in your relationship:
Reduces Stress- Having emotional safety and support from a partner can help buffer the effects of stress. Knowing that you have someone who understands and supports you can make the challenges of life seem more manageable. In healthy relationships, couples are playful together, have enjoyable and meaningful sex, and are able to use humor, these all lead to a reduction in cortisol levels.
Improved Mental Health- A supportive and loving relationship can contribute to better mental health. Emotional intimacy and connection can provide a sense of security and reduce feelings of loneliness or isolation. A healthy relationship allows for open communication, leading to better emotional understanding and expression of emotions. Feeling heard and validated contributes to emotional well-being.
Increased Happiness- Positive interactions with a partner can lead to increased feelings of joy and contentment. Sharing life experiences and creating positive memories together contribute to a sense of fulfillment.
Improved Physical Health- Studies suggest that individuals in healthy relationships may experience physical health benefits, including lower blood pressure, reduced risk of heart disease, and a strengthened immune system.
Healthier Lifestyle Choices- Couples often influence each other's habits. In a supportive relationship, partners may encourage and motivate each other to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, such as exercising together, cooking nutritious meals, or quitting harmful habits.
Longer Life Expectancy- Some research indicates that being in a satisfying and supportive relationship may be associated with a longer life expectancy. The emotional and practical support from a partner can contribute to overall health and well-being.
Improves Coping Skills- When facing challenges or setbacks, having a supportive partner can provide coping mechanisms and resilience. The emotional bond can help individuals navigate difficulties more effectively.
Enhances Self-Esteem- A healthy relationship involves mutual respect, affirmation, and validation. Feeling valued and appreciated by a partner can contribute to improved self-esteem and a positive self-image.
Improves Social Network- Being in a relationship provides a built-in social support network. Having someone to share experiences and challenges with can contribute to a sense of belonging and connectedness.
A healthy relationship involves mutual respect, communication, trust, and support, which improves our wellbeing. On the other hand, unhealthy relationships can have detrimental effects on both mental and physical health.
Couples Therapy vs. Divorce Costs:
I often hear that the barrier preventing partners from seeking therapy is the cost. Financially investing in your relationship is a significant consideration, and when all parties involved are dedicated to doing the work, it can be more cost-effective. The cost of divorce and couples therapy can vary significantly depending on various factors such as location, the complexity of the situation, the duration of therapy, and legal fees. Generally, couples therapy tends to be more affordable than divorce proceedings. In a study done in 2023, the average cost of divorce in Florida was $13,500 for couples without children. Couples divorcing with children involved, the cost averaged around $20,000. Divorce costs can be substantial. Legal fees, court costs, and other related expenses can add up, especially if the divorce is contested or involves significant assets. In Florida, for the average cost of a divorce with no kids, you could have 77 therapy sessions.
It's essential to consider that the financial impact of divorce extends beyond the immediate legal expenses. Individuals may also face ongoing financial changes, such as alimony, child support, and the division of assets. Couples therapy, while an investment in the relationship, can be a more cost-effective option for those seeking to address and resolve issues before they escalate to the point of divorce. Ultimately, the decision between divorce and therapy involves personal considerations, overall well-being, and financial factors are a few aspects of the overall equation.
Cost for Services
My therapy fees are structured to reflect the value of the services provided, taking into consideration the time, expertise, and personalized attention dedicated to each client's well-being.
My sessions last for 55 minutes and I charge $175 for both individual and relationship therapy.
This pricing accounts for my training, one-on-one in-session therapeutic support, time outside of sessions for connecting with other providers on your treatment team, and researching, consulting, and building a case conceptualization to ensure quality care. I believe in delivering high-quality therapeutic services, and these fees reflect my dedication to providing a valuable and enriching therapeutic experience for both individuals and couples.
CANCELATION POLICY: Please note if you miss a scheduled session or have not rescheduled 48 hours prior to appointment, you will be charged the full session fee. If you are late, we will end the session on the time that was scheduled. If you are going to be late, please notify me. I give clients a 15 minute grace period and clients are not in sessions, I consider the session a no-show.
Do you take Insurance?
Yes, I do! I currently accept Aetna, Cigna, and United Healthcare Insurance.
However, client confidentiality is very important to me, and I want to ensure quality care. Please be aware that insurance companies may request detailed information about a client's condition, treatment progress, and personal history, which could potentially compromise the confidentiality essential for building trust in the therapeutic relationship. To use insurance, I have to provide a mental health diagnosis, and being diagnosed with a mental health condition can sometimes affect eligibility for certain professions.
Additionally, using insurance can have limitations. Insurance companies may dictate the number of sessions and their duration, and some may review notes and deem sessions "not medically necessary," requiring retroactive payment. Because a diagnosis is necessary for insurance coverage, and since couples and family therapy often do not have a formal diagnosis, such sessions may not be covered.
By choosing not to use insurance, I can prioritize maintaining client privacy and trust, allowing for more open and honest communication, and client centered care. This autonomy also enables me to tailor therapy specifically to your needs and your partner's needs, creating a more personalized and effective therapeutic experience.
What's A SuperBill?
A Superbill is essentially an invoice for services rendered, commonly provided by healthcare providers. What sets it apart from an invoice, is that it includes diagnostic codes, enabling patients to submit it to their insurance companies for potential reimbursement. The amount reimbursed varies depending on factors such as the insurance provider and policy terms.
If you're interested in utilizing your out-of-network benefits, reach out to your insurance company to ask if they would reimburse a superbill from an out-of-network, outpatient mental health therapist. The codes I would be using are 90834 for individual sessions and 90847 for relationship therapy sessions. If they do, I'm happy to send you a superbill for you to submit. However, please note that reimbursement is not guaranteed.
Good Faith Estimate
It's incredibly frustrating to encounter hidden fees or unexpected service charges. Healthcare costs shouldn't catch you off guard. Under the No Surprises Act, which came into effect on January 1, 2021, healthcare providers are required to provide patients with a 'good faith estimate' for anticipated costs.
In therapy, clients seek assistance for a variety of complex issues, making it impossible to predict an exact number of sessions needed to achieve desired outcomes. In my experience, clients typically begin to notice shifts or the impacts of therapy within 6-12 sessions. However, everyone's journey is unique, and progress in therapy cannot be guaranteed. While I cannot offer a guarantee, I can provide a comprehensive outline of all charges, with the current procedural terminology (CPT) code associated with treatment to ensure transparency and prevent surprise costs.
Intake Session: CPT Code (90791) 55 Minute - $175
Individual Session: CPT Code (90837) 55 Minute - $175
Family/ Couples with Client Present: CPT Code (90847) 55 Minute - $175
Family/ Couples without Client Present: CPT Code (90846) 55 Minute - $175
Support Call: CPT Code (90832) Correspondence lasting longer than 15 minutes (16-37 minutes) - $60
(Calls longer than 37 minutes I charge for a full session. I am not an emergency service and do not typically offer support services, however if needed you need to be aware of the cost for my time)
Legal Services: Due to confidentiality, it is discouraged to have your therapist involved in legal affairs. If the therapist receives a subpoena to testify or provide documents in connection with litigation, I understand that the following fees will apply: 1. Preparation time (including record submission), phone calls regarding litigation or testimony, depositions, time spent in court premises and travel to and from court: $175/hr (billable in 15-min increments). 2. All attorney fees and costs that are incurred by the therapist as a result of legal action.