What to expect on your first visit:
Counseling
Your first counseling session is different from follow-up sessions. During our first meeting, you will be asked to fill out paperwork regarding your rights, responsibilities and payment information. I will also gather information about you, asking you a variety of questions to help me get to know you so I can assist you more effectively in helping you reach your personal goals. Payment is due upon arrival.
Additional Information about Payment, Insurance and Pricing
Accepted forms of payment:
I accept checks, cash, and major credit cards. All payments must be made at the time of service.
What if I don't accept your insurance:
I can provide appropriate documentation which will allow you to file for reimbursement with your insurance carrier, should you have insurance that covers services provided by your therapist.
Benefits of paying out-of-pocket:
There are advantages and drawback both of out-of-pocket private payment and to using insurance and medicaid. Obviously, the biggest drawback of out-of-pocket private pay is that it is an immediate out-of-pocket expense. However, there are several advantages of private pay that may make the expense worthwhile.
- Confidentiality and Privacy: Clients who pay out of pocket are guaranteed that the only people who know any of the details of therapy are themselves and their therapist. Aside from normal limits to confidentiality, therapy is completely confidential, without any third party being privy to information exchanged in session.
- Diagnosis: Most insurance providers require a mental health diagnosis in order for therapy to be covered. This means that many issues (such as marital problems, life stress, or personal growth) are not covered by insurance anyway. When clients pay out-of-pocket, there is no requirement of a mental health diagnosis for treatment, which means that anyone can seek treatment. Private pay also carries the additional benefit of reducing pressure to pathologize normal individuals who simply need help coping with some area of life. Finally, treatment without the necessity of a mental health diagnosis means that the stigma of some diagnoses can often be avoided.
- Duration of treatment: Private pay clients have complete control of the duration and style of their treatment. Modalities that are ethically viable but not covered by insurance are open to private pay clients. Private pay clients are able to choose the focus of their therapy, the duration of therapy, and the frequency of therapy, and even the length of individual sessions.