Getting Started with Therapy

Beginning therapy can be empowering and relieving, knowing that you have taken a major step in your healing process. However, it can also be very intimidating and overwhelming trying to understand the process on how to get started. I want to help make that process as clear and supportive as possible, so below you will find important information about fees, insurance, and what to expect when scheduling your first session!

Paying for Therapy

Your therapist often operates as any other provider like your primary care doctor, dentist, or vision care doctor. We often accept many insurance coverage plans that help you pay for your sessions or charge a ‘self-pay rate’ where you pay fully out of pocket for your sessions. Look below to learn more about self-pay fees and insurance coverage for therapy sessions.

  • Most health insurance plans include coverage for mental health services including outpatient therapy (visiting an office) and inpatient therapy (residing in a facility). It is always best to refer to your individual health insurance plan to better understand your coverage including your deductible, copay cost, and number of sessions covered. Fortunately, your therapist can also assist by gathering your insurance information and checking your benefits for you.

    Often times, I encourage clients to consider their session costs when deciding their frequency of scheduling. Due to high copays, deductibles, or socioeconomic barriers that affect access to your healthcare, I do not want my clients to struggle financially for sessions as that is a basic necessity. Weekly, biweekly, and once a month sessions are always appropriate and available to help fit your needs.

    Insurances I accept are as follows:

    • Aetna

    • Anthem

    • BlueCross BlueShield

    • Carelon Behavioral Health

    • Carolina Behavioral Health Alliance

    • Cigna and Evernorth

    • Health Choice

    • MedCost

    • Medicaid

    • TRICARE

    • Trillium Community Health Plan

    • UnitedHealthCare UHC | UBH

    • WellCare

    • Out of Network

    If you are unsure if I cover your specific insurance or plan, please reach out and I can help with checking your benefits.

  • Out-of-Pocket fees refers to paying for your therapy sessions without using insurance. Clients may utilize this option if there is a therapist that they wish to work with despite them not accepting their insurance or if they do not have active insurance.

    Fees for self-pay sessions are as follows:

    • Initial Intake Session/Comprehensive Clinical Assessment (60 minutes): $220

    • Individual Therapy Session (55 minutes): $140

    • Individual Therapy Session (30 minutes): $95

Scheduling and Next Steps

I currently offer online Telehealth sessions to anyone that resides in North Carolina! I offer sessions Monday through Friday, where times vary from early mornings up until later evenings.

If we sound like we may be a good fit for each other, I encourage interested clients to click here to fill out this form under ‘Contact’ to schedule a free 15-minute consultation or click here to be directed to my schedule via Simple Practice.

During consultation and initial intake, we will take more time to gather information on what led you to seek therapy, identify goals, and explore the process of how we will work together to reach your goals!