Service Rates

WHY IS THERAPY SO EXPENSIVE?

Trust me, I get it. Therapy is expensive, especially when your therapist doesn't accept insurance. My rates are based on a few factors. If you have additional questions regarding my rates, please feel free to contact me & I am happy to discuss this with you.

• Education: In order to provide mental health counseling, I have obtained a master's degree with a completion of a practicum & internship plus the passing of two comprehensive exams. After graduation, therapists must then complete & pay for 3,000 hours of supervised experience with 2,000 of those hours being direct client contact hours & a minimum of 200 face-to-face supervision hours. I have further decided to expand my education & expertise by currently being enrolled in a Doctorate of Professional Counseling program which focuses on the clinical competencies of expert therapists. 

• Continued Education: Therapists pay around $200 every 2 years to maintain an active license with their respective board of examiners. Currently I am licensed in three different states. Therapists are also required to hold liability insurance which also averages $200 a year. Therapists are required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of continued education every 2 years. Continued education varies in cost but some specialized trainings & certifications (such as EMDR & IFS) can cost over $3,000. I have consistently exceeded my continued education requirements each renewal period & am enrolled in various certification programs & specialized trainings (Level 1 IFS, upcoming Level 2 IFS, ERP Intensives, etc.) to best meet the needs of my clients & as a demonstration of my commitment to my professional growth & the clients I'm privileged to work with. 

• Independent Learning & Research: Outside of continued education requirements, many therapists are investing in various books, workbooks, research articles, & other resources that help expand our expertise & knowledge to be better therapists. This is a never ending process.

• Experience & Skills: As therapists spend more time in the field, their experience grows & many may become specialized providers in a particular area or areas. This experience makes them better fits for particular clients & better informed in their speciality. Just as you wouldn't go to a brain surgeon for a broken foot, you want to choose a therapist that has experience in working with what you need. I specialize in trauma, OCD, as well as military & first responder counseling.

• Time: Outside of the time that the therapist spends with you one-one-one, therapists are also required to document each session. If you therapist accepts insurance, there are a lot more documentation requirements that are needed for insurance reimbursement (often your insurance does not cover the full session costs & the therapist experiences a loss). Your therapist is also likely to be engaged in consultation, collaboration, & research in techniques & interventions that are going to improve your treatment outcomes. I am currently in a variety of consultation groups including IFS, OCD, and dissociation consultation groups.

• Administrative Costs: On top of the costs that are associated with the various requirements for therapists, there are a variety of administrative costs that include HIPAA compliant email systems, electronic medical records systems, office rent, decor & furniture, billing services, credit card fees, office supplies, marketing platforms (Psychology Today, Therapist.Com, TherapyDen), website & domain fees, legal & accounting services, taxes (these are not already taken out as most of us in private practice are not W-2 employees), etc. 

• Caseload Considerations: Lastly, a therapist may have a higher rate to reduce the amount of clients on their caseload for a livable wage. By having a lower caseload, I can focus on providing the best quality care to my clients & have the time & energy to engage in the therapeutic process with my clients, thus reducing burnout. Additionally, I provide completely free sessions to veterans, active duty, & reservists of the United States military. Thus, your session fee helps cover the cost of these individuals to get specialized therapy at no cost.