Therapy & Insurance: What You Need to Know Before Starting

Therapy & Insurance: What You Need to Know Before Starting

When most people start looking for a therapist, the first question they ask is:
“Do you take my insurance?”

And it makes sense! Therapy is an investment—emotionally and financially—and knowing your options upfront is key. As a therapist, I accept insurance, bill insurance, and also offer self-pay rates. Each option has its own pros and cons, and what’s best for you depends on your personal situation, preferences, and even your profession.

Let’s break down a few important things you should know about using insurance for therapy.

1. Using Insurance Isn’t Always as Simple as It Sounds

Yes, using insurance can reduce your out-of-pocket costs—but there are a few things to keep in mind:

• You’ll need a mental health diagnosis.
  In order for therapy to be covered by insurance, your therapist is required to provide a diagnosis and submit documentation like intake forms and session notes.

• Your insurance company will have access to that information.
  This doesn’t mean they’re reading every detail of your sessions, but they do receive clinical codes and notes that become part of your medical record.

• You might still have to pay upfront.
  If you haven’t met your deductible, you’ll be responsible for paying out-of-pocket until that deductible is met—just like with other healthcare services.

2. Why Some People Choose to Self-Pay for Therapy

Some of my clients, especially first responders or those in sensitive professions, choose to pay privately for therapy instead of using insurance.

Why?

Because, unfortunately, a documented mental health diagnosis—depending on the label—can impact their job eligibility or future career paths. They prefer to keep their therapy completely confidential, with no paper trail through insurance.

Self-pay offers more privacy and flexibility. You can often choose the type of therapy, session length, and frequency without being limited by insurance policies.

3. What About EAPs (Employee Assistance Programs)?

If your employer offers an EAP (Employee Assistance Program), you might have access to free or discounted therapy sessions—but only if your therapist is in-network with that EAP.

EAPs can be a great short-term solution. They usually cover a set number of sessions (anywhere from 3–12), and some even help with referrals afterward if you want to continue care.

4. What Option Is Best for You?

There’s no right or wrong answer. Here are a few questions to help you decide:

• Do you feel comfortable having a diagnosis in your medical record?

• Do you want the flexibility of choosing your own therapist, even if they’re out-of-network?

• Are you early in the year and haven’t met your deductible yet?

• Are privacy and confidentiality a top priority for your profession?

If you’re unsure, talk to your therapist about the options they offer. Most of us are happy to walk you through the billing side of things—we get how confusing it can be!

Bottom Line

Therapy is a powerful tool for growth and healing—and understanding how to pay for it shouldn’t get in the way. Whether you use insurance, EAPs, or choose to self-pay, the most important thing is that you find a therapist who makes you feel safe, supported, and truly seen.

If you’re curious about starting therapy, struggling to find the right fit, or just need a place to land—reach out. I’d love to connect and help you begin your journey. Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all. Let’s figure out what works for you.

I currently accept the following insurance plans:
✅ Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna - Other’s coming very soon!
✅ Self-Pay Rate: [$120 per 50-minute session]
Sliding scale available upon request.

👉 Ready to get started? Contact me or call 630-945-5793 to schedule a free consultation or go to our contact page and fill in the information you will get a response with in 24 hours of inquiry.