Fees, Insurance, & Payment
Counseling Fees
My goal is to be clear and straightforward about costs so you can make informed decisions about your care.
Session fees
Individual counseling (60 minutes): $150 per session
Couples counseling (60 minutes): $150 per session (private pay only)
These fees reflect the specialized, evidence-based treatment I provide for concerns like sex addiction, trauma, and related mental health issues.
Sliding scale availability
In certain situations, I offer a limited number of reduced-fee slots on a case-by-case basis. If cost is a barrier to getting the help you need, let's talk about it during your consultation.
Insurance
In-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield
I'm in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield for eligible individual clients. This means if you have BCBS coverage, your sessions may be covered at your plan's in-network rate, which typically means lower out-of-pocket costs for you.
I'm happy to verify your benefits and check your estimated copay, coinsurance, and deductible before your first session so you have a clearer picture of what to expect. That said, insurance coverage can be complex and plans vary widely, so it's ultimately your responsibility to confirm your coverage and understand your benefits. I'll do my best to help you navigate the process, but I can't guarantee what your plan will or won't cover.
Keep in mind that even with in-network coverage, insurance requires a mental health diagnosis and will only cover treatment that's considered "medically necessary."
If you'd like to use your BCBS insurance, let me know during scheduling and we will get everything set up before your first session.
Out-of-network & superbills
For all other insurance plans, I'm considered an out-of-network provider. You pay the full session fee at the time of your appointment, and upon request, I can provide a superbill you may submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Coverage and reimbursement rates vary widely, so it's a good idea to confirm your out-of-network benefits directly with your provider.
How diagnoses work with insurance
When you use insurance (either in-network or out-of-network reimbursement), I'm required to assign a mental health diagnosis and include it on your claim. Insurance can only pay for "medically necessary" treatment, which means every claim must be tied to a formal diagnosis and a treatment plan focused on that diagnosis.
Once a diagnosis is submitted to insurance, it becomes part of your permanent medical record and may be visible to current and future insurance companies and some other healthcare entities (for example, life or disability insurers). In some cases, this can affect how you're viewed for future coverage or benefits.
Because insurance won't reimburse for therapy without a diagnosis, I can't bill your plan or create a superbill without documenting a condition that accurately reflects your symptoms and level of impairment. For some clients, this feels completely comfortable. For others, it's important to know before deciding whether to use insurance or pay privately.
Why couples counseling is private pay only
Most health insurance, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, is designed to cover treatment for one person's mental health diagnosis, not the relationship between two people. For insurance to pay for therapy, there must be an identified patient with a qualifying diagnosis, and every session has to be documented as medically necessary treatment for that person's condition.
In couples therapy, my client is your relationship, not one individual partner. The concerns we work on together (communication, trust, conflict, and healing after betrayal) are accurately described by a relationship code (Z63.0: "problems in relationship with spouse or partner"), which insurance plans specifically exclude from coverage.
While some providers bill couples sessions to insurance by assigning one partner a diagnosis and framing the work around that diagnosis, doing so can place blame on one person, create an inaccurate medical record, and raise ethical concerns when the true focus is the relationship.
For these reasons, I don't bill insurance for couples counseling. Private pay allows us to stay honest in how we document your care, protect both partners from unnecessary diagnoses, and keep our work fully focused on what you're really here for: healing and rebuilding your relationship together.
Payment methods
Payment is due at the time of each session. I accept:
Debit and credit cards
HSA/FSA cards for eligible services
Cards are processed securely through my practice management system.
Cancellation and no-show policy
Your appointment time is reserved specifically for you. To cancel or reschedule, please provide at least 48 hours' notice. You can reschedule through the client portal at woodscounselingservices.com or by texting my office line.
Cancellations made with less than 48 hours' notice will be charged a $60 cancellation fee, unless your circumstances are outside of your control. We provide one waiver per year for illness. If you're sick but still able to do the appointment, I encourage you to keep your appointment via telehealth or Zoom instead of canceling, so we can stay on track with your progress.
I understand that emergencies and unexpected situations happen. If that's the case, please reach out as soon as you're able so we can discuss options. Full details about scheduling, cancellations, and related policies are provided in your intake paperwork.
Good Faith Estimates (No Surprises Act)
If you're uninsured or paying out-of-pocket, you have the right to request a Good Faith Estimate before we begin. This outlines the expected cost of your therapy based on session frequency and length. Your actual needs may change as we work together, and you can request an updated estimate anytime. Just ask, and I'll provide one.