Jessica Jefferson
Therapy 101: How to Start the Process
Are you looking to start therapy? Not sure where to start or what you need to know? Check out this blog to learn more to help you!
top of page
Therapy is attainable
Listen, I get it. You never thought you would be in this position looking to talk to someone. I hear it all the time. Luckily for you, I am easy to talk to.
What might not be easy to talk about is money.
Money is something we all wish to have and KEEP.
So thinking about spending money on fixing a problem you didn’t wish you had, well that’s hard.
But… wouldn’t you rather try to fix it now, then let it get worse?
Therapy is that opportunity to give you the tools you need to fix it. It is actually more than that. It is an investment towards your future, your happiness and your well-being.
I am here to help you get the services you need and help you in the process. I don’t want the financial constraints to add more stress to you…because then it is counter-productive.
To help you through that financial conversation, let me lay it all out for you here and now.
Fees
For individual counseling, the session is 55 minutes at a rate of $150.
For couples, I do require a 85 minute session (for only the first session) at a rate of $250. After the initial session, we go down to the 50 minute session rate of $175.
If you are REALLY hoping to work with me but it is simply out of your budget, give me a call. I have a limited amount of sliding scale slots, that could be available to you. Just note that sliding scale slots are only day or afternoon appointments.
I do also offer the Prepare Enrich and Gottman Relationship Checkup for couples who want an in-depth analysis of their relationship. If you are interested, please let me know upon scheduling and I can set you up. That fee is paid directly to them for $35.
All appointments have a 48 hour cancellation fee policy. If you need to reschedule, please let me know as soon as you can and more than 48 hours before your scheduled appointment.
Why Many Therapists Don't Take Insurance
Therapy is an essential part of getting you to where you want to be, unfortunately insurance companies don’t have that same goal. They often times require mental health diagnosis for issues that can be temporary. However, a diagnosis on your medical record isn’t.
Plus…I don’t believe in labels, because you are more than what a label says about you.
Lastly, insurance companies are very limiting and I don’t want to put your well-being in the hands of someone else.
That being said… I get it. You pay for your insurance each month and want to be able to use it. Makes sense. Therefore, I have chosen to panel with some insurance companies to make therapy more accessible.
I recommend checking out Alma, a company that helps taking insurance easier for clients and therapists. Alma takes the following plans:
-
Aetna
-
Cigna
-
Optum, which includes:
-
United Health Care
-
Oxford
-
Oscar
-
Please note that while Alma does make it easier to utilize your insurance, a mental health diagnosis will still need to be placed on your medical health record in order to use your plan.
If you want to use your insurance and save some time, contact your insurance directly to see:
-
If you plan covers therapy. Not all of them do. **Please note: Couples counseling is normally not covered under insurance. Often times, the primary account holder would have to be issued a mental health diagnosis to be issued services.
-
Do you have out of network benefits? If so, I can issue you a superbill in which you can be reimbursed directly from your insurance. Ask that what that would entail, as each plan is different.
-
Are you limited in the amount of sessions?
-
Who accepts your plan and can you get a listing?
To learn more about using your insurance, check out my blog where I go over common questions about therapy and using insurance
bottom of page