FEES & POLICIES | REF COUNSELING

The following information below explains the policies and procedures of my practice.  I am happy to answer any questions you might have.

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Fees & Insurance

REF Counseling is a private-pay practice. This means I do not accept insurance. This allows me to tailor treatment to your specific needs and goals without any of that being controlled by insurance. You can learn more below:

  • REF Counseling is a private-pay practice. This means I am out-of-network and do not take insurance.

    In order for you to experience deep healing and change I offer 60 and 90-minute sessions. Insurance does not reimburse for extended sessions.

    I have seen firsthand how longer sessions provides better care, so practicing out-of-network allows me to provide the best care possible without the oversight, limitations, or demands of an insurance company.

  • Your Privacy Matters

    When therapy is billed through insurance, a mental health diagnosis and details about your care become part of your medical record. Insurance companies may also review clinical documentation as part of audits or reimbursement processes. Choosing private-pay gives you greater control over who has access to your personal information and allows your therapy to remain between you and your therapist whenever possible.

    Therapy Designed Around You

    Healing doesn't always fit into the structure insurance companies reimburse. Some people benefit from longer appointments, more frequent sessions during difficult seasons, or intensive therapy experiences. Private-pay allows us to tailor treatment to your unique needs rather than to insurance guidelines. It also gives us the freedom to use approaches that best support your goals without worrying about whether a specific treatment is covered.

    You Don't Need a Mental Health Diagnosis

    Many people come to therapy because they're navigating life transitions, relationship struggles, burnout, grief, identity questions, or other deeply human experiences. Insurance typically requires a diagnosable mental health condition before it will cover services, meaning not everyone seeking support qualifies. By working outside of insurance, you can pursue therapy because you want support—not because you need to meet diagnostic criteria. This allows us to focus on your growth, well-being, and goals without requiring a diagnosis solely for reimbursement.

  • Initial Consultation is Free

    60-min individual therapy sessions: $180

    90-min Individual therapy sessions for Extended EMDR Processing: $250

    Induced After Death Communication: $300 for 2 sessions

    Group therapy sessions are: $50 per session

Other Policies

  • Under the No Surprises Act, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate outlining the expected cost of your therapy services before you begin treatment. This estimate is provided to help you make informed decisions about your care and understand your financial responsibility.

    My current fees are:

    • 60-minute psychotherapy session: $180

    • 90-minute psychotherapy session: $250

    • Induced After Death Communication: $300 for 2 sessions

    Most clients attend therapy on a weekly or biweekly basis, though the frequency and length of sessions will be determined collaboratively based on your goals, preferences, and clinical needs.

    Below are examples of estimated costs for weekly therapy:

    60-Minute Sessions ($180 each)

    • Approximately 4 sessions (1 month): $720

    • Approximately 8 sessions (2 months): $1,440

    • Approximately 12 sessions (3 months): $2,160

    90-Minute Sessions ($250 each)

    • Approximately 4 sessions (1 month): $1,000

    • Approximately 8 sessions (2 months): $2,000

    • Approximately 12 sessions (3 months): $3,000

    These estimates are provided for informational purposes only and are not a recommendation for a specific course of treatment or a guarantee of the total cost of your care. The number of sessions you attend and the overall duration of therapy will depend on your individual needs, treatment goals, and our ongoing collaboration.

    This Good Faith Estimate is valid through July 8, 2027. Practice fees are reviewed periodically and may be adjusted with advance notice.

    You have the right to ask questions about your treatment plan, discuss any concerns regarding the estimated cost of services, and discontinue therapy at any time. Your treatment recommendations will always be made collaboratively, and you are never obligated to continue services beyond what feels appropriate for you.

  • HIPAA Notice

    Your privacy is important to me. My practice follows the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which establishes national standards for protecting your personal health information.

    HIPAA gives you important rights regarding your records, including the right to access your health information, request corrections when appropriate, and receive information about how your records are used and protected.

    A complete Notice of Privacy Practices will be provided before we begin working together. If you have any questions about how your information is stored, protected, or shared, I am happy to discuss them with you.

  • Benefits and Risks of Therapy

    Therapy can be a meaningful and transformative process, but it also requires openness, commitment, and a willingness to engage with difficult emotions. While many people experience positive changes, no therapist can guarantee specific outcomes.

    Potential Benefits

    Therapy may help you:

    • Develop greater self-awareness and insight.

    • Learn healthier ways to cope with stress, anxiety, and difficult emotions.

    • Improve communication and relationships.

    • Heal from past experiences and unresolved trauma.

    • Strengthen self-esteem, resilience, and emotional well-being.

    • Create lasting changes that align with your values and goals.

    Potential Risks

    Because therapy often involves exploring painful experiences, difficult thoughts, and strong emotions, you may experience temporary discomfort. At times, you may feel sadness, anger, grief, anxiety, vulnerability, or emotional fatigue as part of the healing process. Relationships may shift as you establish healthier boundaries or make significant life changes.

    Although these experiences can be challenging, they are often a natural part of personal growth. Throughout our work together, we will move at a pace that feels supportive and appropriate for your nervous system, regularly checking in to ensure that therapy remains a safe and collaborative process.

  • Telehealth allows us to meet through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform from the comfort of your own space. For many clients, virtual therapy offers greater convenience, accessibility, and flexibility while maintaining the same level of care as in-person sessions.

    To get the most out of telehealth, you will need a reliable internet connection, a device with a camera and microphone, and a private location where you can speak freely without interruption.

    While telehealth is an effective option for many concerns, it also has limitations. Technology issues, internet disruptions, or environmental distractions may occasionally interfere with sessions. In addition, telehealth may not be appropriate in every clinical situation, particularly if you are experiencing a mental health emergency or require a higher level of care.

    By participating in telehealth, you acknowledge that you understand both the benefits and limitations of virtual therapy and agree to notify me if your location changes during a session so I can respond appropriately in the event of an emergency.

    You must be physically located in California or Maryland at the time of our appointment.

  • The use of phone and email communication between sessions is limited to use only for scheduling and logistics purposes.

  • The decision to end therapy is an important part of the therapeutic process. You have the right to discontinue therapy at any time. Whenever possible, I encourage you to discuss your decision during a session so we can review your progress, process the ending thoughtfully, and develop a plan for continued support if needed.

    There may also be circumstances in which I determine that therapy is no longer appropriate or beneficial. This may occur if your needs fall outside my scope of practice, a higher level of care is recommended, repeated cancellations or nonpayment interfere with treatment, or another circumstance prevents me from providing ethical and effective care. If therapy needs to end for any of these reasons, I will make every reasonable effort to provide appropriate referrals and support a smooth transition to another provider.

    Therapy is a collaborative relationship, and whether treatment ends by your choice or mine, my goal is to ensure the process is handled with care, respect, and your well-being in mind.

  • The therapeutic relationship is unique and exists solely to support your well-being and treatment goals. Maintaining clear professional boundaries helps create a safe, ethical, and effective environment where trust can develop and meaningful therapeutic work can occur.

    Our relationship is professional rather than social. I do not engage in dual relationships that could impair my clinical judgment or interfere with your care. This includes social, business, financial, or other relationships outside of therapy.

    To protect your privacy, I typically do not acknowledge clients if we encounter one another in public unless you choose to greet me first. This helps preserve your confidentiality and allows you to decide whether to identify our therapeutic relationship.

    Communication between sessions is intended for scheduling, billing, or other administrative matters unless we have made a different arrangement. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please contact 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

    Maintaining appropriate boundaries allows therapy to remain a consistent, respectful, and supportive space focused on your growth and healing.