Metamorphic Counseling

• Where can I check if you take my insurance?

  • You may check if Abby currently accepts your insurance plan and get an estimate on your co-pay/session costs here.​ We currently use Headway to help us and our clients use insurance with ease.

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• Where do I pay my insurance co-pay and update my insurance & payment information?

  • Access your Headway account to pay your insurance co-pay and update your insurance & payment information as needed. 

    • Your Headway account can also help answer some additional insurance-specific questions related to your plan (like "when will I meet my deductible?").

    • *For all further plan-specific questions, please reach out to your insurance plan provider on their website or the phone number on the back of your insurance card.

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• What are some pros and cons of using my insurance?

  • Using insurance allows clients to pay only a copay or deductible for counseling sessions. However, insurance requires a mental health diagnosis and may limit session frequency, length, or treatment type. Some personal information must be shared with the insurance company for coverage.

  • Pros:

    • Lower cost per session — Clients pay only copays or deductibles once met.

    • Accessible — Makes counseling more accessible for many individuals.

    • Consistency — May encourage consistent attendance due to reduced cost barrier.

  • ​Cons:

    • Diagnosis — Requires a mental health diagnosis to justify medical necessity. Some clients are uncomfortable with having a mental health diagnosis as a part of their medical record.

      • Please note: Though I provide a diagnosis based on your symptoms and the DSM-5-TR for insurance purposes, I do not pathologize or treat you as "defective"/"need cured." 

    • Less privacy — Treatment details become part of the insurance record.

    • Reduced flexibility — Restrictions on session frequency, provider choice, or treatment types.

    • Administrative complexity — Billing issues, denials, and delays are possible.

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• What can I do if I have insurance but you don't currently accept it?​

  • We have options! There are a have a couple of options in the case that I do not currently accept your insurance plan:

    1. You can request reimbursement from your insurance for your sessions. Many people have "Out-Of-Network" benefits in their insurance plan that helps you still see the providers you prefer, even if they do not take your insurance.

       • How it works:

         • I provide you an electronic Super Bill after each session via email (and/or your SimplePractice Client Portal). This is a statement that includes basic session information that insurance will want.

         • You then submit an Out-Of-Network reimbursement request through your insurance provider and provide them your Super Bill. Your insurance may partially or fully reimburse you for the out-of-pocket cost you paid for your session.

         • Please reach out to your insurance plan provider on their website or the phone number on the back of your insurance card to ask if Out-Of-Network reimbursement will be an option for you.

    2. You can choose to not use insurance and do self-pay.​​​​​

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• What is self-pay?​

  • Self-pay (AKA "private pay" or out-of-pocket) means clients pay the full session fee directly to the therapist without involving insurance. This option offers the most privacy and flexibility, since no diagnosis is required and treatment is not limited by insurance rules.​

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• How does self-pay work?

  • We use SimplePractice electronic health record system (EHR) to charge the saved card in your Client Portal. You may change the default card or add additional cards at any time.

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• What are some pros and cons of self-pay?

  • Pros:

    • Full privacy — No diagnosis or treatment details shared with insurance.

    • Greater flexibility — More freedom in session length, frequency, and treatment methods.

    • No insurance limitations — No eligibility criteria, session caps, or medical necessity requirements.

    • Easier access — No need for insurance approvals or referrals.

  • Cons: 

    • Higher out-of-pocket cost — Investing themselves in this way can be financially challenging for some clients.

    • No automatic reimbursement — Clients bear the full cost unless using HSAs/FSAs.

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• What is a Super Bill?

  • A superbill is a detailed receipt that a therapist provides after self-pay sessions. Clients can submit this document to their insurance company to request partial reimbursement for out-of-network services. This means if you have a different insurance from those I currently accept, you may be able to get reimbursed from your insurance for the cost of our sessions. A diagnosis is required, and reimbursement is not guaranteed, but clients still benefit from the flexibility of self-pay.

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• What are the pros and cons of submitting a Super Bill to my out-of-network insurance after I self-pay?

  • Pros:

    • Potential cost savings — Clients may get partial reimbursement from insurance.

    • More provider choice — Clients can see out-of-network therapists.

    • Flexibility — Greater flexibility compared to fully using insurance, since the therapist is still private pay.

  • Cons:

    • Diagnosis still required — Insurance requires a billable diagnosis to be listed on the superbill.

    • Reimbursement not guaranteed — Depends on the client's plan’s out-of-network benefits. Please check with your insurance provider to learn more about your out-of-network benefits.

    • Client must submit paperwork — Clients have added administrative steps and waiting periods for the potential reimbursement.

    • Less privacy than pure private pay — Some treatment information is still shared with insurance so that you may get reimbursed.

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• What is a "Good Faith Estimate" (GFE)?​​​

  • Your Right to a Clear Estimate of Counseling Costs - Under the No Surprises Act, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) explaining the expected cost of your counseling services. This requirement helps ensure transparency so you can make informed decisions about your mental health care.

  • A Good Faith Estimate outlines the estimated total cost of the services you may receive. It includes things like:

    • The type of service (e.g., intake session, individual therapy)

    • The session fees

    • The expected number of sessions

    • Any other potential costs related to treatment

  • A GFE is not a bill — it is simply an estimate to help you understand and plan for your care.

  • Who Receives a Good Faith Estimate?

    • A Good Faith Estimate is provided to:

      • Clients who are uninsured, or

      • Clients who choose not to use insurance (private pay/self-pay)

      • If this applies to you, you will receive a written estimate before your first scheduled service and can request one at any time.

  • What to Expect in Your Estimate

    • Your Good Faith Estimate will include:

      • Your provider’s name and contact information

      • A short description of the services recommended

      • The cost of each service

      • A total estimated cost for your course of care over a set period

      • Instructions on what to do if your actual charges differ significantly from your estimate

    • Estimates are based on the information known at the time and may be updated if your treatment plan changes.

  • What If the Actual Cost Is Higher?

    • If your bill is $400 or more above the Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to:

      • Dispute the charge, and

      • Request a review through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

      • Your estimate will include instructions on how to file a dispute if needed.

  • How to Request a Good Faith Estimate

    • You can request a GFA at any time by contacting your provider directly. You will receive it in writing—either by email or in a paper format—depending on your preference.

• Our Commitment

  • I am committed to transparency, clarity, and supporting you in making informed choices about your mental health care. If you have questions about your estimate or billing, I’m here to help guide you.

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• ​How can I access my therapy documents and view and request appointments?

  • You can access your documents, view and request appointments, and access your telehealth video link for your appointment in your SimplePractice Client Portal here.

    • *THE CLIENT PORTAL IS NOT TO BE USED FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. IF YOU OR OTHERS ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER OR EXPERIENCING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.