Why I Do Not Directly Bill Insurance

As a small, sole-provider practice, I have chosen to remain private pay to ensure that I can provide the highest quality care without the limitations and ethical concerns that come with insurance-based therapy. My priority is to offer personalized, confidential, and effective treatment tailored to each child and family’s unique needs.

One of the biggest reasons I do not contract with insurance is the requirement to diagnose a child on the first visit for reimbursement. I believe this practice is both unethical and often inaccurate. A proper, comprehensive evaluation takes time—multiple sessions of observation, discussion, and assessment—to truly understand a child’s struggles and strengths. Rushing to label a child with a diagnosis in one session just to meet insurance requirements does not align with best practices in child mental health care.

When working outside of insurance constraints, I have the flexibility to:
✔ Take the time needed to assess a child’s needs thoroughly before making a diagnosis (if one is necessary at all).
✔ Focus on the child’s experiences and challenges, rather than fitting them into a billing code.
✔ Develop a personalized treatment plan based on real, meaningful insights rather than rushed conclusions.

In addition to the diagnosis issue, working with insurance as an in-network provider would require frequent sharing of client information, session notes, and treatment updates with third-party insurance companies. This compromises privacy and forces clinical decisions to be influenced by what insurance will cover rather than what is truly in the child’s best interest.

As a sole provider, contracting with insurance would also mean hiring administrative staff to manage billing, claims, and compliance, creating a more impersonal experience for families and limiting my ability to focus on what matters most—helping children heal and grow. By remaining private pay, I maintain full autonomy to provide the best care possible without interference.

For those with out-of-network benefits, I can provide a superbill (a detailed receipt of services) that you may submit to your insurance provider for possible reimbursement. I encourage families to check with their insurance company to understand their out-of-network mental health coverage.

I understand that choosing private pay therapy is an investment, and I want families to feel confident that their child is receiving thoughtful, ethical, and effective care. By staying independent of insurance, I can ensure that each child gets the time, attention, and individualized treatment they deserve—without rushed diagnoses, confidentiality concerns, or restrictive policies getting in the way.

If you have any questions about my approach or payment options, I am happy to discuss what works best for your family.