Private-Pay Therapy: Why Some Therapists Choose It
A guide from Bridget Moore, LCSW. General information, not medical advice.
The Short Answer
Private pay means the client pays the therapist directly rather than the therapist billing an insurance network. Therapists make that choice for different administrative and practice reasons. At B Moore Counseling, I accept some insurance plans and also offer private pay. You can ask about your plan during a free 15-minute consultation. It does not make therapy automatically better, and it is reasonable to compare the cost with other options available to you.
Why Practices Differ
Some therapists prefer managing direct payment and fewer insurance billing tasks. Others choose to participate in networks. I would not assume that a payment arrangement tells you how thoughtful a therapist is or how the conversation will feel. Ask about the actual sessions, availability and experience with your concerns alongside questions about billing.
What Private Pay Means Here
My individual sessions cost $175 for 45 minutes, weekly or every other week. The intake fee is confirmed during your free consultation. I can provide superbills on request for possible out-of-network reimbursement. For private pay, consider the fee you pay directly while checking any possible out-of-network benefits with your plan.
Keep the Comparison Neutral
A therapist who bills your plan may be a good fit, and a private-pay therapist may be a good fit. Cost, daytime availability, location and the working relationship all deserve attention. I do not want you to feel that choosing a more affordable option means choosing care that matters less. Your budget is part of the decision.
Ask About Insurance Information
Out-of-network reimbursement is not guaranteed. Ask your plan about benefits, deductibles and submission requirements before counting on a payment. If you submit a superbill, clinical information may be shared with your plan as part of its review. Direct payment alone is not a reason to assume that no insurance paperwork or information sharing will ever be involved.
I would rather discuss a workable budget than leave you guessing about the fee.
Bridget Moore, LCSWWhat to Ask in a Consultation
You can ask me what a typical appointment involves, how we choose goals and what you pay before getting started. I can also clarify my weekday daytime schedule and the four-state online location requirement. A conversation about cost can happen alongside a conversation about worry, work or a change you are considering.
When Cost Is the Main Concern
Tell me if the fee would make ongoing sessions difficult. We can discuss the fit honestly, including whether other options would make more sense. This page is general information, not medical advice or a recommendation about your insurance choices. You do not need to justify a budget limit to ask practical questions about therapy.
Related Questions
Is Private Pay a Method of Therapy?
I use the term for payment, not a clinical method. My work draws on several therapy approaches.
Does Insurance Never Reimburse Private Pay?
I offer superbills for possible out-of-network benefits. Your plan determines whether reimbursement is available for your claims.
More to Read
All Guides
Ask What Ongoing Sessions Would Cost
The Life Transitions page describes my clinical work when school, work or family life changes. Use a free 15-minute consultation to ask which insurance plans I accept or discuss private pay, availability and whether the practical arrangement fits.
Free 15-Minute Consult