Gail Carson-Webb, Psy.D.

The decision not to be an in-network provider for insurance panels was difficult to make.  People often wish to use their insurance for all kinds of understandable reasons.  Yet, having practiced in both manners in the past--taking insurance and not taking insurance--I find that clients in my experience tend to exhibit a much greater sense of security about their therapy when their insurance company is not involved.  Being out-of-network:

• enhances client privacy
• enhances client choice and power
• promotes a focus on health and strength rather than an excess focus on pathology (insurance companies often require the therapist to document that treatment is "medically necessary" in order to justify payment for services)
• eliminates confusion and reduces anxiety over billing--there are no guessing games regarding what the insurance company will or will not cover, there are no surprises when an insurance company rejects payment for previously approved services (often on the basis of "technicalities" and limitations of which the client had no awareness), and there are no deductibles
• assures that therapist time will be focused on therapy, research and planning rather than excess paperwork, providing greater focus on client needs
• reduces potential future problems in relation to other benefits (e.g., acquiring life insurance after an episode of depression that has resolved) 
• over the long term, can potentially help the client avoid some problems with insurance premiums (some insurance companies have been known to "tag" the use of mental health benefits, the client's premiums sometimes becoming very high after insurance has paid for mental health services).

Although initially it seems counterintuitive, it may literally, in the long run, be less expensive to pay privately for therapy.  I do not accept insurance; for those who wish to submit information to their insurance companies for possible reimbursement on their own, however, I will be more than happy to provide a superbill.

Most people who seek counseling come in once weekly for a therapeutic hour (45 minutes), but needs vary depending on "where" a person is in his/her therapy.  Charges are as follows:

• Brief consultation:  $65 (20-25 minutes)
• Standard session:  $120 (45-50 minutes)
• Long session:  $185 (75 minutes)
• Double Session:  $240 (110 minutes)

Payment is expected at the time services are rendered, and is addressed at the beginning of each session, in order to facilitate maximum focus on therapy for the remainder of the appointment time.