Out-of-network benefits assist in covering expenses for services from providers not covered by your insurance. If you have out-of-network benefits, your insurance company may reimburse a portion of your therapy cost by mailing you a check. However, you are required to pay the full session fee upfront and then await reimbursement, a process that typically takes weeks, and at times, months.

Typically, out-of-network benefits involve meeting a deductible before the insurance company provides partial reimbursement, with coverage ranging from 30-80% after meeting the deductible.

The reimbursement process can differ among therapists. While some therapists handle the submission of claims to your insurance company, others may ask that you take charge of reimbursement. In the latter scenario, your therapist will provide you with a superbill, essentially a comprehensive receipt, which you can then submit to your insurance provider either online or through traditional mail.

To check if you have out-of-network benefits, call the number on your insurance card and ask about out-of-network coverage for outpatient mental health. During our intro call, I can also help you review this, though I always recommend confirming directly with your insurance company for the most accurate information.

With me, you have two options for using out-of-network benefits:

1. Thrizer (simplest option)
I partner with a company called Thrizer, which makes the process much easier. After you’ve met your deductible, Thrizer allows you to pay only your copay at the time of session, while they handle and submit the claim to your insurance. If you prefer, you can also choose to pay the full session fee upfront and then receive reimbursement directly. Thrizer charges a small service fee for managing this process.

2. Superbill (DIY option)
If you’d rather manage things yourself, I’ll provide you with a monthly superbill that you can submit to your insurance company. In this case, you’ll pay the full session fee at the time of each appointment, and reimbursement (if any) will come directly from your insurer.

Important note: Insurance reimbursement is never guaranteed, as coverage decisions are made by your provider.

I provide a free consultation call lasting 20 minutes for all potential clients. This allows both of us to gauge our compatibility. You’ll have an opportunity to get a feel for my therapeutic style and approach, and I’ll assess if my skills align with your needs. During the call, we'll discuss your reasons for seeking therapy, I'll share more about myself and my approach, and you're welcome to ask any questions. Should we mutually agree on a good fit, we'll proceed to schedule our first therapy appointment. In the event that we don't see the compatibility, I’m happy to offer referrals to trusted clinicians.

In the first session, known as the intake, my primary focus is to gain a comprehensive understanding of you and your symptoms, thereby laying the groundwork for our therapeutic work. Through thoughtful questions, I will seek to understand your background, current challenges, and aspirations.

The intake process extends into subsequent sessions, fostering an ongoing exploration of your strengths, opportunities for growth, and values. This foundational work sets the stage for our collaborative treatment planning, where we set specific, measurable goals aligned with your values.

It's normal to feel a bit uneasy during these initial sessions as you open up about vulnerable aspects of your life to someone new. However, as our therapeutic relationship develops over time, you'll likely find this initial discomfort gradually giving way to a growing sense of trust and connection.

Your therapy experience will vary based on your personalized treatment plan as well as the specific stage we are currently navigating in the therapeutic process. Generally, the initial phases of therapy will involve a deep dive into psychoeducation and the development of practical skills. This serves as a crucial foundation, equipping you to understand and effectively address your anxiety or OCD symptoms.

As we progress through therapy, the later phases will not only continue psychoeducation and practical skill-building but also introduce exposure work and focus on personal development.

Throughout our sessions, you can anticipate discussions about current events in your life, relevant aspects of your personal history, and insights gained from both homework assignments and our previous sessions.

Active participation is key to deriving optimal results from therapy. The goal is to empower you to integrate what you learn in our sessions into your daily life. Therefore, beyond our in-session work, I will encourage activities outside of therapy, such as exposure exercises, reading relevant materials or taking specific actions aligned with your goals, to further support your progress.

The duration of your treatment is influenced by several factors, including the severity of your symptoms, your unique treatment goals, and your level of involvement and dedication to the therapeutic process. While some clients seek short-term therapy to address specific concerns, many opt for a more open-ended commitment to therapy, seeking not only symptom reduction but also personal growth and fulfillment. In these cases, therapy can span from a few months to a year or even longer. Regardless of your specific therapeutic needs, the beginning of your journey typically involves weekly therapy sessions, providing a consistent and supportive foundation.