I currently have made the choice to accept only fee-for-service. By paying directly for psychotherapy, the client ensures complete privacy as insurance would require that your information become part of your health record. The client also retains more control over his or her treatment in terms of duration and frequency as most insurance companies allow only a specific set of sessions based on a diagnosis for some course of treatment. By paying directly, a third party is not making decisions about your care: You are in control.

In addition, paying directly for services avoids any need to medicalize treatment or assign diagnoses unless absolutely clinically necessary. Unfortunately, insurance companies will not pay for psychotherapy unless you are diagnosed with an illness. I provide therapy to any and all people without the stigma of being considered “ill” to seek out a therapist for life’s inevitable struggles. I refuse to give someone a medical diagnosis simply to appease an insurance company.