Forms & Fees
75 minutes
- An intake session is the first appointment, during which we will discuss the paperwork you have completed, arrive at a probable diagnosis, and create an outline for our work together
50 minutes
- Individual sessions
- (by video only during COVID)
- are 45-50 minutes
Variable
- Extended sessions are prorated based on the fee for a 50-minute session
Should I Use Insurance?
Pros and cons
To use your insurance benefits or not is a personal choice dependent upon multiple factors. Once your deductible has been met, insurance can make psychotherapy easier to afford.
However, mental health services are only covered for clearly diagnosed conditions, and insurance companies can ask to see my notes about our sessions at any time. Once that happens, that information is no longer private. Additionally, any diagnosis that a clinician makes will become a permanent part of your medical record. And although those records are protected by privacy laws, electronic data can all too often be hacked and fall into other hands.
You may never have a problem with these privacy issues. If you are concerned, however, the way to be absolutely certain that your health information will never be used unethically is to maintain your privacy by paying for services “out of pocket.”
If I do use insurance, how does it work?
I currently accept Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Premera, Regents, and First Choice insurance. Please do not send me your insurance information over regular email. I want to make sure your personal health information is protected. Instead, let’s have a conversation about how to get your info to me safely.
If you have a different insurance carrier and choose to use me as an out-of-network provider, your counseling services may be eligible for reimbursement through out-of-network benefits, medical spending or health care savings accounts. This means that you pay for therapy at the time of service, and are reimbursed by your insurance company. When choosing out-of-network services, you will usually be responsible for a larger portion of the total fee. The difference varies greatly, depending upon your policy. I recommend that clients contact their insurance providers to clarify coverage. I’ll be glad to provide you with a statement at the end of each month which you can submit for out-of-network coverage/
Forms
Once we’ve spoken, you’ll be able to do your paperwork—without paper. I’ll send you a link to my Client Portal, where you’ll create a client profile. Once you’re in, you’ll see a message that you have paperwork waiting, which then you can complete online. No printing. No scanning and sending back.
It’s that easy.