Research shows that therapy is a valuable investment in your long-term health and well-being. By comprehensively addressing core aspects of our social, emotional, biological, and psychological health, holistic psychotherapy aims to heal the root causes of issues rather than merely managing symptoms. This approach can lead to deeper, more sustainable changes in mindset, relationships, and behavior and can reduce the likelihood of recurring problems that might require costly interventions in the future. As is evidenced by a large and ever-growing body of research, engaging in therapy not only prioritizes your wellbeing, but also potentially saves significant expenses associated with chronic health issues, medication, or emergency services later on.
While I prefer to work as a private pay or Out Of Network (OON) provider, I understand that insurance enables access to therapy that some people may not otherwise have. For that reason, I maintain contracts United/Optum, Aetna, and Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield as an In-Network-Provider. I am an Out of Network Provider and can provide a super-bill to other insurance companies. If you'll be using insurance, via super-bill or direct billing, it's important to understand that all billable services may be subject to your deductible and co-pay rates and that insurance companies require 'medical necessity' and a diagnosis for therapy, which will remain permanently in your medical records and may be used by your insurance company to determine your benefits. Insurance companies can also control how often and how long you see your therapist as well as approaches used in therapy.
Prior to beginning therapy using insurance coverage, I urge you to contact your insurance company and verify your benefits with an estimate (we will not know exact coverage amount until I submit a claim, if billing directly) of your financial responsibility. Typically, after a deductible is met insurance will pay for a portion of each session and your co-pay will be your responsibility. Also be aware, not all insurance plans cover online therapy/telehealth. If you would like to verify your insurance benefits, call your insurance company and ask these questions:
I prefer to work as a private pay provider for a variety of reasons including: significantly increased flexibility to work more holistically, client autonomy, privacy/confidentiality, honoring client preference rather than deferring to insurance company's rules and regulations, time spent with clients rather than on mandatory insurance paperwork, and more variety in approaches and models used in therapy.
I can also provide you a super-bill as an Out of Network (OON) Provider in the state of Alaska. As an OON, insured clients pay for services directly and then submit a super-bill to their insurance company for reimbursement. A super-bill is a document that includes all of the necessary information required by your insurance company for them to consider reimbursing you for therapy services. This can by done by uploading the super-bill directly to your insurance website or by mailing it. We will discuss this process and all that in entails in further detail during our first session, which you will pay for by cash or credit card through my website, and I will provide you with a super-bill once per month that describes the services you are receiving. You may find that your insurance benefits will reimburse you for part or most of the cost. Please keep in mind that for some plans billing out-of-network assign a larger percentage to you. It is your responsibility to contact your insurance company to obtain information about their Out of Network coverage.
Read more about how billing for therapy works here.
My hourly rate reflects the level of training I've received, my experience, and is set to allow me to pay for my business expenses, licensing, office space, and the high cost of living in rural Alaska. Most importantly, it also allows me to focus on the quality of my services: seeing 12-15 people a week rather than the 25-30 per week as is often the case by clinicians working in community behavioral health and managed care settings allows for more time to prepare, attune, and be completely present during our time together. It also allows me critical capacity to engage in trainings and learning that consistently improve my practice. However, there are clearly systemic inequalities that bar some people from receiving the high quality care everyone deserves. I reserve a portion of my availability and use the Green Bottle Sliding Scale, below, - relying on people's honesty and accurate representation of their economic situation - rather than requiring income verification - for reduced hourly rates. These slots are limited and will be reserved for people who need them, but please don't hesitate to reach out and we can discuss your unique situation further.
15 minutes
typically 90 minutes
53-60 minutes
30-35 minutes
ALL PAYMENTS ARE CHARGED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION
Tier 3: Full Fee / session Tier 2: $155 / session Tier 1: contact me *
* Please don't hesitate to reach out if you find that your current financial context aligns most with Tier 1. While my availability for reduced rates limited, I do hold space for people who need it. Please contact me if you feel drawn to my approach and we can discuss what will work for both of us.
I am not an urgent care provider and only provide crisis intervention care to established clients. Please contact 911 or see additional resources for emergent healthcare needs under the "offerings" tab, above.
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