Counseling Services to Improve Your Mental Health

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In 2019, the Maryland State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists updated the regulations to permit licensed counselors to offer their clinical services through HIPAA compliant video conferencing platforms. Currently, I provide all of my counseling services remotely, including couples counseling and support for those dealing with depression and anxiety or environmental trauma. You can read the State of Maryland's regulations regarding teletherapy services by clicking this link.

My fees for therapy services are as follows: 

Psychotherapy sessions focused on issues such as depression and anxiety (16-37 mins) are $60. For longer sessions (38-52 mins), the fee is $125, and for sessions lasting 53 minutes or more, the cost is $190. An intake session, which can last up to 90 mins, is priced at $190. 

If you require crisis psychotherapy services, the first hour will cost $190, with each additional 30-minute increment at $60. For couples counseling or family/conjoint therapy (up to 52 mins), the fee is $190. 

We also offer group therapy with multiple families (up to 1 hour) for $75 per family per session, and individual group therapy sessions are available at $45. Please note that there is a missed appointment fee of $50 to be paid at your next scheduled session. Additionally, I provide teletherapy services to accommodate your needs, including those related to environmental trauma.

I am currently a credentialed provider with the following insurance networks: Optum - United Healthcare, United Behavioral Health, Cigna/Evernorth, CareFirst BlueCross/BlueShield, BlueCross/BlueShield Medicare Advantage, Amerihealth Caritas, DC Medicaid, and the Maryland Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS).

Copayments

You can make your copayments directly using the links provided on this website or by logging into their client portal. If you choose to use the payment feature in the Client Portal, rest assured that your credit card information will not be saved or stored for future use. This offers a secure way to access my teletherapy services, including couples counseling for those dealing with depression and anxiety or environmental trauma.

I also accept direct payments via CashApp, Venmo, Square, and personal check. Click "Make a Payment" at the top of the page to make a payment.

Receipts

You can access your account balance at any time via the Client Portal. You can also download a full balance sheet in the Client Portal.

Health insurance isn't easy to understand. To be honest, I usually have to look up what things mean before I answer any questions. But two things are important to understand—copayments (or copays) and deductibles.

Copays

When I become credentialed with an insurance company, I agree to accept what they think my services are worth. That is called the "allowable rate." Insurance companies split that allowable rate with you. For example, let's say Acme Insurance Agency decides that I can only accept $100 for an hour session with a client. Now let's assume that Acme says that your plan requires you to pay $45 per session as a copay. That means that Acme will only pay me $55 directly for that session. Your copay, therefore, makes up 45% of my fee. Copays are a flat rate you are required to pay for each session. Some insurance companies might require their members to pay their copay right away, while others may require their members to meet their deductible first, and then only their copay.

Deductibles

So, what is a deductible? Your deductible is a set amount of out-of-pocket expense that your insurance plan requires you to pay before they will begin to pay a provider (e.g., your doctor, your therapist, etc.) their allowable rate. So, let's say Acme says you have a $1,000 deductible. This means that you have to pay the first $1,000 of any bills submitted to Acme before they pay me or any other healthcare provider. If you see me for couples counseling or visit a podiatrist, and we both have allowable rates of $100, you will need to pay the first $1,000 of invoices submitted to Acme by the podiatrist and me collectively. If you see me 5 times and the podiatrist 5 times, each with an allowable rate of $100 per session/appointment, your deductible of $1,000 would then be satisfied by the $100 payments made to the podiatrist ($500) and me ($500). After your deductible is met, then your copay kicks in, if you have one. Some insurance policies require the subscriber (you) to only pay a deductible; while other insurance policies require a small copay after your deductible is met.

Bottom Line

Every insurance plan is different. So, please check with your insurance company before you see me for the first time to see if you have a deductible that hasn't been met yet, if you have a copay for each session, and what that copay amount is. Please plan on paying your copay before each session. Sometimes sessions go the full hour, which leaves no time for me to ask if you paid your copay or not. This is especially important when discussing sensitive topics like depression and anxiety or environmental trauma. I hope that sounds fair to you. Click the link below to see the different ways you can pay your copays, including options for teletherapy services.