I No Longer Accept Insurance - And Here’s Why

I understand that navigating mental health care can be overwhelming, and I want to be upfront about why I’ve chosen not to accept insurance. This decision was not made lightly, but ultimately, it allows me to provide the highest quality care for my clients.

Insurance Companies Get in the Way of Quality Treatment

When insurance is involved, they decide what is “medically necessary,” which often doesn’t align with what is actually effective. They may limit the number of sessions, dictate the type of therapy I can provide, or even deny coverage altogether if they don’t believe your treatment fits within their guidelines.

For individuals seeking specialized treatment, such as therapy for OCD, these restrictions can significantly hinder progress. Effective OCD treatment requires flexibility—some sessions may need to be longer, more frequent, or involve approaches that insurance doesn’t recognize as “standard.” Rather than allowing an insurance company to make these decisions, I believe your treatment plan should be based on what will help you get better.

Protecting Your Privacy

When you use insurance, I’m required to submit a mental health diagnosis that becomes part of your permanent medical record. Insurance companies can also request session notes and treatment plans, meaning a third party—not just you and your therapist—has access to deeply personal details about your mental health. By not working within the constraints of insurance, I can ensure that your information remains fully confidential, giving you greater control over your privacy.

No Surprise Bills or Denials of Coverage

Many people assume that if their insurance covers therapy, they won’t have to worry about unexpected costs. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Insurance companies can deny claims retroactively, leaving you with an unexpected bill. They may also determine that certain types of therapy or specific diagnoses don’t qualify for coverage, forcing you to either stop treatment or pay out-of-pocket unexpectedly.

With private pay, you know exactly what your therapy costs upfront. There are no hidden fees, no surprise denials, and no middlemen deciding whether your mental health care is “necessary” enough to be covered.

Treatment Tailored to You, Not Insurance Policies

Every person is different, and therapy should reflect that. When insurance is involved, treatment is often limited to what fits within their rigid guidelines rather than what actually works for you.

By not taking insurance, I can provide treatment that is flexible and tailored to your needs—not a one-size-fits-all approach dictated by a corporation. This means we can focus on what will actually help you move forward, rather than trying to fit your therapy into a set of pre-approved boxes.

What Are Your Options?

I understand that private pay can feel like a financial barrier, and I want to help make therapy as accessible as possible. While I do not accept insurance directly, I can provide a superbill upon request.

A superbill is a detailed receipt that you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement if you have out-of-network benefits. Every plan is different, so I encourage you to check with your provider to understand what they cover. Additionally, many clients use Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) to pay for therapy with pre-tax dollars.

The Bottom Line

I became a counselor to help people—not to navigate insurance bureaucracy. My priority is to provide the highest quality, most effective care possible, without interference from companies that don’t understand the complexities of mental health treatment.

If you have any questions or concerns about accessing care, I’m happy to discuss options with you. I believe therapy should be about healing, not red tape, and I’m here to support you on your journey.