An Investment in Your Most Authentic Self

Quality, Specialized Care Without the Constraints of Insurance.

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Why I choose to protect your care by staying out-of-network.

1. The Privacy & Records Problem

  • The Insurance Reality: To use insurance, a therapist must provide a clinical diagnosis. This diagnosis becomes part of your permanent medical record. This "paper trail" can be accessed during background checks for certain high-security jobs, the military, or when applying for private life/disability insurance (where it can lead to higher premiums or denials).

  • The Private Pay Benefit: Total Confidentiality. Your records stay in a locked cabinet or secure server within my office. No one—not your employer, the government, or a claims adjuster—knows you are in therapy unless you explicitly authorize them to know.

2. The "Medical Necessity" Trap

  • The Insurance Reality: Insurance only pays for what they deem "medically necessary." This means you must have a "disorder" that is severe enough to impair your daily functioning.

  • The Private Pay Benefit: Therapy for Human Experiences. You deserve support for grief, life transitions, personal growth, relationship stress, or self-discovery—even if you don't meet the "medical" criteria for a mental illness. Private pay allows us to focus on your wellness, not just a "sickness."

3. The Clawback Risk (The "Hidden Debt")

  • The Insurance Reality: Insurance companies can perform "retroactive audits" months or even years after a session. If they decide your notes weren't "detailed enough" or that you "didn't need" therapy that month, they can "claw back" the money they already paid the therapist.

  • The Consumer Impact: Most insurance contracts allow the therapist to then bill the client for that clawed-back amount. This can result in a surprise bill for thousands of dollars for sessions you thought were settled years ago.

  • The Private Pay Benefit: Financial Finality. Once you pay for your session, that transaction is closed. There are no surprise bills or "look-back" audits three years down the road.

4. Loss of Clinical Autonomy (The "Ghost" in the Room)

  • The Insurance Reality: An insurance company employee (who has never met you) often decides how many sessions you "need" and what kind of therapy I am "allowed" to use. If they decide you should be "better" in 8 sessions, they simply stop paying.

  • The Private Pay Benefit: You are the Boss. We decide the frequency, the duration, and the style of therapy together. Your treatment is dictated by your progress and your goals, not by a corporate profit margin.

5. The "Diagnosis" Dilemma

  • The Insurance Reality: If a therapist can't find a diagnosis that "fits," they are often forced to choose a "placeholder" diagnosis just to get the session covered. This can lead to "over-diagnosing" or labeling someone with a condition they don't truly have just to satisfy the system.

  • The Private Pay Benefit: Labels are Optional. We focus on your narrative and your soul, not a code from a billing manual. This is especially vital for neurodivergent (ADHD/Autism) clients who may be seeking support for navigation of a neurotypical world rather than "treatment" for a "disorder."

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How to Use Out-of-Network Insurance Benefits for Therapy

A "Superbill" is the key to making out-of-network therapy more affordable. It effectively acts as a bridge between my private practice and your insurance provider, allowing you to advocate for your own reimbursement.

Here is a breakdown of how it works and exactly how to navigate the process.

What is a Superbill?

A superbill is more than just a receipt. It is a specialized, itemized document that contains specific "medical language" (codes) that insurance companies require to process a claim. Even though I am not in-network, your insurance may still cover a significant portion of our work—often 50% to 80%—once you provide them with this document.

Every superbill I provide includes:

  • ICD-10 Diagnosis Code: A standard code representing the focus of our clinical work.

  • CPT Procedure Code: A code describing the type and length of our session (e.g., 90837 for a 53-minute session)

  • Provider Information: My NPI number, Tax ID, and professional license.

  • Proof of Payment: Confirmation that you have paid the fee in full.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Reimbursement

1. Verify Your "Out-of-Network" Benefits

Before our first session, call the member services number on the back of your insurance card. Ask these specific questions:

  • "Does my plan provide Out-of-Network (OON) benefits for outpatient mental health?"

  • "What is my Out-of-Network deductible, and have I met it yet?"

  • "What is the 'Allowed Amount' for CPT code 90834 and 90837? (Insurance companies often cap what they think a session should cost, and they reimburse a percentage of that number, not my full fee)."

2. Pay for the Session

In a private-pay model, you pay for the session at the time of service. This ensures that I can focus entirely on your care rather than fighting with insurance claims departments.

3. Receive Your Superbill

I typically provide superbills on a monthly basis. You can download these directly from your secure client portal. They are provided as PDFs to ensure they meet insurance security standards.

4. Submit the Claim

Most insurance companies now make this very easy. You can usually submit your superbill in one of three ways:

  • Member Portal: Log in to your insurance website and look for "Submit a Claim." You simply upload the PDF.

  • Mobile App: Many modern insurers (like Premera, Regence, or Aetna) allow you to take a photo of the superbill and submit it via their app.

  • Third-Party Apps: Services like Reimbursify or Mentaya are designed specifically to handle this paperwork for you for a small fee.

5. Receive Your Reimbursement

If your claim is approved, the insurance company will mail a check directly to you (or deposit it into your account). This process usually takes 2–4 weeks.

Note on the "Deductible": If you have a $1,000 out-of-network deductible, you must pay $1,000 toward OON providers before they start sending you reimbursement checks. However, you should still submit your superbills immediately, as they count toward meeting that deductible for the year.

Clear Pricing to Help You Plan for Your Journey to Healing

Simple Transparent Fee Structure

Individual Psychotherapy Sessions

  • 45-Minute Session: $235 (first 2 intake sessions $255)

  • 53-Minute Session: $255 (first 2 intake sessions $275)

Individual Supervision Sessions or Case Consultations for Licensed and Associate Therapists

  • 53-Minute Session: $180

Assessments

  • ADHD: $1,200

  • Personality Disorders: $1,200

  • PTSD/c-PTSD: $1,200

  • Mood/Anxiety Disorders: $1,200

  • ASD: $2,200

You Deserve Clarity and Care Without the Guesswork

Investment & Insurance: Frequently Asked Questions about Therapy Costs

  • I choose private pay so that your therapy journey stays confidential, personalized, and free from insurance limitations. When insurance companies are involved, they often require formal diagnoses, ongoing documentation, and session limits — which can influence how therapy unfolds and take focus away from your individualized goals. With private pay, your treatment is dictated by you and your therapist, not by corporate rules or insurance restrictions.

  • ✔ Total Privacy & Confidentiality
    Insurance companies require diagnoses and access to your clinical records when they are billed. Private pay keeps your mental health information between you and your therapist, safeguarding your privacy and professional record.

    ✔ No “Box” to Fit In
    Insurance plans often dictate treatment approaches, session limits, and what counts as medically necessary. Private pay allows us to tailor your care to your unique needs — whether you need longer sessions, specific modalities, or creative therapeutic approaches.

    ✔ More Freedom & Flexibility
    Without insurance constraints, you can attend therapy on your terms — choosing session frequency, duration, and therapeutic focus based on what feels right for your healing and growth.

    ✔ Specialized Attention
    I don’t spend session time on paperwork or insurance claims. That means your time together is fully dedicated to your care, growth, and progress.

    ✔ Choice of Therapist
    Private pay gives you the freedom to work with the clinician who specializes in the areas most important to you (like ADHD, trauma, or neurodiversity‑affirming care), rather than being limited to providers who accept your insurance.

  • No. Because insurance is not involved, you do not need to receive a diagnosis in order to begin therapy. This allows for a wellness‑oriented approach rather than one based solely on medical necessity, which many clients find more respectful, empowering, and stigma‑free.

  • Yes. I provide a superbill, which is a detailed receipt that you can submit to your insurance company for potential out‑of‑network reimbursement. Coverage varies by plan, so it’s a good idea to check with your insurer about your out‑of‑network benefits and deductible.

  • Out‑of‑pocket costs may be higher than typical insurance copays. However, private pay offers full autonomy, fewer constraints, and deeper individualized care, which many clients find worth the investment. Transparent, upfront fees let you plan your healing journey without surprises.

  • If your plan has a high deductible, you may still choose to pay privately and then seek reimbursement through your out‑of‑network benefits. Because private pay sessions often meet clinical standards that insurance companies require for reimbursement, many clients receive partial reimbursement after submitting superbills. It’s worth checking with your insurer to understand your coverage details.

  • I accept payment upfront for sessions, and I can provide superbills that you may submit to your insurance company or Health Savings Account (HSA) / Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for possible reimbursement — depending on your benefits.

  • Here’s the clear, transparent fee structure at Peace Humanistic Therapy:

    • Individual Psychotherapy Sessions
      – 45‑Minute Session: $235 (intake sessions $255)
      – 53‑Minute Session: $255 (intake sessions $275)

    • Individual Supervision / Case Consultations
      – 53‑Minute Session: $180

    • Assessments
      – ADHD: $1,200
      – Personality Disorders: $1,200
      – PTSD/C‑PTSD: $1,200
      – Mood/Anxiety Disorders: $1,200
      – ASD: $2,200

  • Many clients choose private pay for reasons beyond cost — including:

    • Protecting privacy and avoiding diagnostic records

    • Maintaining choice and autonomy in care

    • Ensuring sessions aren’t limited by arbitrary insurance caps

    • Receiving therapy that honors your pace, depth, and identity without corporate interference

  • Yes. Insurance companies can audit claims years after services are provided and may request repayment—commonly referred to as “clawbacks.” This can happen if a claim is flagged for coding errors, eligibility issues, or other reasons, even if you attended the sessions in good faith.

    For clients, this can create unexpected financial liability, stress, and complications in your care. Choosing private pay eliminates this risk. Paying directly for services ensures that your sessions are secure, confidential, and fully under your control, without the potential for retroactive claims. Private pay also allows for greater flexibility in scheduling, treatment approaches, and access to services that may not be covered by insurance, giving you stability and peace of mind as you invest in your mental health.