Fees

What are your fees?

2024 fee schedule (therapy, consultation, supervision):

1.5 hr (intake) new therapy clients: $240

*1 hr sessions: $160

^1.5 hr sessions: $240

2.0 hr sessions: $300 ($20 off hourly rate)

*1 hour sessions are for Integrative Counseling, Energy Psychology and Psychospiritual Support.

^1.5 hour sessions are for Transpersonal Internal Family Systems Therapy (T-IFS) and Multidimensional Divine Light Transmission® (experiential processes). Some choose to book less frequently to offset investment.

2.0 hour sessions (subject to availability) are for those wanting ample time on the front end for counseling/processing + experiential work + processing/integration on the back end.

Payment is preferred via Venmo. Check, cash, credit/debit and HSA cards are also accepted.

As of January 1, 2022: You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services in writing at least 1 business day before your service or item. You can also ask your healthcare provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.  Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your rights, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises

Quick answer: Regrettably, outside of the pro bono slots I endeavor to maintain (which stay pretty well occupied), not really anymore. At least, not to a degree that would make a substantial difference in most cases.

Complete answer: After many years in low paying community-based clinics and undervaluing myself/undercharging in my first 15 years of solo practice, due to stage of life and future planning needs, I’m simply no longer able to offer significantly reduced fees. I was slow to embrace the wisdom of the oxygen mask principle in the financial arena. So now the numbers keep the score, so to speak.

Know that with the post-2020 ‘Zoom boom,’ help is now more accessible than ever, virtually and otherwise. There’s no shortage of therapists, counselors and life, spiritual and mental health coaches offering a range of pricing. Many clinics and private group practices have supervised interns, pre-licensed or newly licensed therapists offering low rates and/or accepting most insurance. Psychology Today, Therapy Den, Mental Health Match, and Open Path Collective (platform of low fee-offering licensed clinicians) are also good resources to find both a good fit and a fee structure that aligns.

[Caveat: I suggest avoiding companies like Talk Space and Better Help. These are profit-first shareholder-driven mills that undervalue and underpay (see: exploit) therapists. This often results in frequent sudden therapist departures with no closure for clients, and random re-assignments to new therapists. It may be better than no help, but it’s definitely not better help].

Is there a sliding scale?

Do you take insurance?

Like most experienced therapists driven half insane by the constraints and insulting fee schedules of managed care, I am an Out of Network provider. Tennessee residents (and some other states as well—check with your plan) can utilize insurance with plans that include Out of Network benefits. Most plans do after a (separate) deductible is met. Consultation-based services cannot be billed to insurance. I can provide receipts with the coding required for you to receive partial reimbursement (usually somewhere between 30% –70%) that in most cases goes directly to you. Contact your insurer for specific details about your coverage.

Here is what to ask your insurer:

  • Does my plan cover Out of Network, Masters level licensed providers of outpatient behavioral health?

  • How much will I be reimbursed? What percentage? (Usually somewhere b/w 35-80%)

  • Do I have a separate Out of Network deductible to be met first? How much?

What’s the difference b/w therapy and consultation?

THERAPY is a formal process/relationship with a licensed mental health clinician and a specific agreed upon set of aims, attendance commitment, and standard professional boundaries. Psychotherapy is designed to address a broad range of psycho-social-spiritual problems across the lifespan, including serious mental health conditions.

CONSULTATION, when conducted by a licensed therapist is akin to “coaching,” except with the kind of rigorous training, credentials, skill set, oversight, and years of experience most coaches have not acquired/are not required to submit to. Consultation does not constitute a formal therapy agreement, process, or relationship and does not treat serious mental health conditions, addictions, or other serious psycho-social problems in living.

Some services are offered on a consultation basis, including distance via HIPAA-compliant Telehealth/Video.

CONTACT Chris with any other questions or call directly @ 615.430.2778.