Therapy FAQs: Fees, What to Expect & Common Questions

What To Expect

Starting therapy can feel like a lot. I've made the process as predictable as possible. No surprises, no guessing what comes next. Here's exactly how it works:

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Sliding Scale Fee Structure for Therapy

I work with a limited number of clients at a time so I can show up for you the way you deserve—focused, energized and grounded. I use a 3-tiered sliding scale fee structure, which allows me to sustainably accommodate clients with different levels of financial resources.

Supported Tier - $155 / 55 min. Session

You’re doing the best you can with a limited financial margin. You may earn too much to qualify for assistance, but not enough to feel secure. Therapy is a commitment, and likely means giving something else up to make it happen.

This tier applies if:

• You have a steady income but little to no extra at the end of each month

• You rely on a single income or support others financially (e.g., kids, aging parents)

• If you were to lose your job, you would need to find other employment immediately

• Your support system cannot offer financial assistance

• You may carry high-interest credit card debt, medical bills, and/or lingering student loans

• Vacations are rare or involve staying with family to reduce costs

• Dining out, self-care, or even medical appointments are delayed or carefully rationed

• Therapy is an important investment, but requires budgeting, planning, or sacrifice

Steady Tier - $205 / 55 min. Session

You’re not wealthy, but you’re steady. You can pay for therapy without hardship, though you still make intentional choices about how and where to spend. You may have debt, but it’s manageable, and you have at least some financial or structural support behind you.

This tier applies if:

• You live in a dual-income household or have a salary that covers both needs and modest wants

• If you were to lose your job, you could sustain your life with some adjustments for 3 months

• You’re repaying student loans, a mortgage, or car payments, but none feel overwhelming

• You can budget for vacations, eat out regularly, and invest in occasional extras like a gym membership or classes

• You’ve got a small emergency fund and some health or retirement benefits

• You don’t receive financial support from family, but you don’t need to give much either

• You can access healthcare, take sick days, and get time off when needed

• Therapy fits into your life as part of your ongoing personal growth and wellness routine

Sustainable Tier - $250 / 55 min. Session

You’re financially stable. You own your home or have stable long-term housing. You have some savings, some retirement contributions, and the day-to-day pressure of survival isn’t part of your life. Therapy is one of several things you can afford for your wellbeing.

This tier applies if:

• You own a home (with an active mortgage) or have stable, long-term housing

• You have an emergency fund covering at least three to six months of expenses

• If you were to lose your job, you could maintain your lifestyle for six months or more before adjustments were needed

• You can take an annual vacation, eat out regularly, and afford the occasional larger purchase without going into debt

• You have employer-provided healthcare with reasonable co-pays, paid time off, and retirement contributions

• You’re on track with debt repayment and not carrying significant high-interest debt

• You have some discretionary income for self-care, fitness, classes, or other forms of personal investment

• Therapy fits in your monthly budget alongside other wellness routines

What if 55 minutes isn't enough?

Some weeks, an hour isn't quite enough room to get into what actually needs attention, and having to stop mid-thought to pick it back up next week can be its own kind of frustrating. That's why I also offer 90-minute sessions.

There are two ways clients use them:

• As an occasional deep dive. For a week that needs more space, whether we're working through something complex or you just have more to bring than usual.

• As a standing option. If a weekly or every-other-week hour isn't realistic for you right now, whether that's your schedule, distance, or budget, a longer session on a less frequent basis can be a way to keep doing meaningful work without needing to show up as often.

Either way, it's not an upsell. It's a different shape for the same work, one that can end up costing less over time if it means fewer total sessions to get where you're going. If you think a 90-minute session might be a better fit than our usual pace, it's worth bringing up during your consultation.

Insurance

I'm in-network with Cigna, Optum, and United Healthcare for standard sessions. However, 90-minute sessions are a private-pay option and are not billed to insurance, regardless of your coverage. If you're paying out of pocket for standard 55-minute sessions, the sliding scale above applies; if you're using insurance, your plan's copay or coinsurance applies to 55-minute sessions, per your benefits.

I feel strongly that your mental health care should be between you and your therapist, and I’ll be getting off of insurance panels later in 2026. I'll give you at least 60 days' notice before that happens.

I understand that using health insurance is a necessity for some. If you want to use your out-of-network benefits to help pay for therapy, I’ll provide a superbill (monthly statement) that you can submit to your insurance company. These benefits are specific to your plan, and reimbursement requires that I give you a mental health diagnosis.

I've partnered with Thrizer to make using your out-of-network benefits super easy — you can check your eligibility here.