How to Use Insurance for Private Pay Therapy
If you're searching for therapy in Arizona, Colorado, or Michigan and hoping to use your insurance, you’re not alone. One of the most common questions I receive is:
“Do you take insurance?”
The short answer is no—VG Therapy Collective is a private pay-only practice.
But that doesn’t mean your insurance benefits are useless.
Many clients use their out-of-network benefits to get reimbursed for therapy—even when their therapist doesn’t bill insurance directly. In this post, I’ll walk you through why I don’t accept insurance, how private pay works, and how you can still make therapy more affordable with tools like Thrizer.
Why I Don’t Accept Insurance
As a licensed therapist working with high-achieving individuals and couples, I’ve intentionally chosen not to contract with insurance companies. Here’s why:
1. Your privacy matters
Insurance companies can audit your therapy records at any time. That means your most personal information may be reviewed by a third party.
2. Insurance limits your care
Most plans control how many sessions you can have or require proof that therapy is still “medically necessary.” I believe those decisions should be made between you and your therapist, not an insurance company.
3. It restricts the type of care I provide
Some of the most effective services I offer—like 90-minute sessions or 3.5-hour Accelerated Couples Sessions—aren’t covered by insurance. These longer sessions allow us to go deeper, faster, and more efficiently, and I want the freedom to offer what works.
4. It helps prevent therapist burnout
Being a private pay therapist allows me to maintain a sustainable caseload and fully show up for each client. That means more energy, focus, and consistency in your care.
What Are Out-of-Network Benefits—and Do You Have Them?
If you have a PPO plan or similar insurance, chances are you have out-of-network benefits for mental health services.
Here’s how that typically works:
You pay the full session fee up front.
I provide a superbill (a monthly invoice formatted for insurance).
You submit the superbill to your insurance provider.
Once your deductible is met, your insurance reimburses you 50–80% of each session fee.
Real-Life Example
Let’s say you and your partner are attending 90-minute couples therapy sessions at $400 per session.
It’s important to note that many insurance plans do not cover couples therapy and typically won’t reimburse for extended sessions like 90 minutes. However, if your plan offers out-of-network benefits and your deductible has been met, you may still be eligible for partial reimbursement.
For example, with a $2,000 deductible, you’d meet that in about 2.5 months (assuming two sessions per month). After that, your insurance might reimburse $200–$320 per session, depending on your plan.
That’s a significant savings over time—and you still get to work with the therapist that feels like the right fit.
Simplify the Process with Thrizer
If submitting superbills or dealing with insurance claims sounds overwhelming, Thrizer can make the process much easier.
Thrizer is a payment platform that helps you access your out-of-network therapy benefits—without the usual paperwork or waiting.
Here’s how it works:
You pay only your estimated out-of-pocket portion up front.
Thrizer pays your therapist the full fee.
Thrizer then handles the claim with your insurance company and waits for reimbursement on their end.
What If You Haven’t Met Your Deductible?
If you haven’t met your deductible yet, Thrizer will notify you and still submit the claims for you. You’ll continue paying the full session fee until your deductible is met, but you won’t need to worry about handling any of the paperwork. Once your deductible is met, reimbursement will automatically start applying to future sessions through Thrizer.
What If You Have Met Your Deductible?
If your deductible is already met, Thrizer will calculate your reduced rate and allow you to pay just your out-of-pocket responsibility (for example, 20–50% of the session fee). You’ll see the lower price immediately, and Thrizer will handle the claim and reimbursement process behind the scenes.
Why Clients Like Thrizer
No superbills to submit
No waiting for reimbursement
No calls to your insurance company
Full transparency on costs and coverage
If you’re interested in using Thrizer, I can help you get started during our intake process.
What to Ask Your Insurance Provider
Still not sure what your plan covers? Here are five questions to ask:
Do I have out-of-network coverage for outpatient mental health?
What is my deductible, and how much of it have I met?
What percentage of the session fee will be reimbursed?
Is there a maximum number of sessions per year?
Do I need a specific diagnosis or prior authorization?
Therapy Is an Investment—and You Still Have Options
Choosing a private pay therapist in Arizona, Colorado, or Michigan doesn’t mean giving up your benefits. In many cases, it means gaining access to care that is personalized, flexible, and more effective.
Whether you’re an individual navigating high stress or a couple seeking deep, focused change, you deserve therapy that works for you—not just what’s “covered.”
Still have questions about your options?
Contact me to schedule a free consultation or to ask more about using Thrizer or your out-of-network benefits.
