If you have been looking into therapy and noticed that some therapists do not take insurance, you might be wondering whether private-pay therapy is worth it. It is a reasonable question, especially when you are already carrying a lot. The cost of therapy is real, and so is the cost of care that does not quite reach the root. This article is a grounded look at what private pay actually means, how out-of-network reimbursement works, and why some therapists, including me, choose to work this way.
This article is educational and is not a substitute for therapy or financial advice. It is here to help you make sense of your options.
What Private-Pay Therapy Actually Means
Private pay means you pay your therapist directly for your sessions, rather than the therapist billing an insurance company. You can read more about my specific fees and structure on the fees page. The key difference is not just about who processes the payment. It is about what the therapy can look like when an insurance company is not involved in shaping it.
When a therapist is in-network with an insurance company, that company can require a diagnosis, dictate the length and frequency of sessions, and request treatment records. For trauma work, especially the kind of deep, nervous-system-level work that high-functioning women often need, those constraints can get in the way. Private pay allows the therapy to be shaped by what you actually need, not by what a third party will reimburse.
How Out-of-Network Reimbursement Works
If your insurance plan includes out-of-network benefits, you may be able to get reimbursed for a portion of what you pay. Here is how it works: after you pay for your session, I provide you with a document called a superbill. A superbill is a detailed receipt that includes the information your insurance company needs to process a claim, like my credentials, the session code, and the amount you paid.
You submit the superbill to your insurance company, and they reimburse you according to your plan. The amount varies. Some plans reimburse a significant percentage, others less. It is worth calling your insurance company to ask about your out-of-network mental health benefits before you begin. You can find my full fee structure and superbill details on the fees page.
Fees & Insurance at Rootwell Therapy
Why Some Therapists Choose Not to Take Insurance
This is about what the work requires. Trauma therapy, especially EMDR, DBR, and IFS, often does not fit neatly into the 45-minute session model that insurance companies prefer. It requires flexibility, pacing, and a willingness to follow the nervous system rather than the clock. You can learn more about these approaches on the approach page.
Private pay also protects your privacy. When a therapist bills insurance, a diagnosis becomes part of your medical record. When you pay privately, what happens in therapy stays between you and your therapist. For many women, that privacy is part of feeling safe enough to do the work.
What This Looks Like in Our Work Together
At Rootwell Therapy, I am private-pay and provide superbills for possible out-of-network reimbursement. My fees are transparent. You can see them before you reach out. There are no surprise bills, no hidden codes, and no insurance company reviewing your treatment plan.
If you are navigating trauma, anxiety, or burnout and want to understand how the work itself unfolds, you can read more about finding the right trauma therapist here.
Finding a Trauma Therapist in Massachusetts: What to Look For
If you have questions about fees, superbills, or whether this work is right for you, a free consultation is a low-pressure way to get answers. You do not have to figure out the financial side alone.
Book a Free ConsultationQuestions You Might Still Have
Will my insurance reimburse me for private-pay therapy?
It depends on your plan. If you have out-of-network mental health benefits, you may be able to submit a superbill for partial reimbursement. I recommend calling your insurance company to ask about your specific out-of-network benefits before starting therapy.
What is a superbill and how do I use it?
A superbill is a detailed receipt that includes the information your insurance company needs to process an out-of-network claim, like my credentials, the session code, and the amount paid. After each session, I provide one. You submit it to your insurance company, and they reimburse you according to your plan.
Is private-pay therapy more expensive than in-network therapy?
The session fee may be higher than an in-network copay, but out-of-network reimbursement can offset some of the cost. The real difference is in the kind of care you receive. Private pay allows for longer sessions, no diagnosis requirement, and treatment shaped by your needs rather than an insurance company.
