​This is one of the most common questions that I receive. It is both simple and complex as the same time. I will do by best to outline my reasons behind my decision to step away from taking insurance at this time. 

• Confidentiality - to file with insurance, an insurance company often requires a diagnosis that would justify them paying as well as the submission of other sensitive and confidential treatment information. With changes in healthcare, this could lead to denial or restriction of future services due to having a "pre-existing condition." While they have to abide by the same confidentiality laws I have to, I cannot guarantee that who will see what and how that information will be ultimately handled and/or used. I can can better protect your confidentiality by not participating in-network with insurance companies.
• Overall Treatment - an insurance company can require that I use only certain methods of treatment and/or restrict the number of sessions we have. This can come in direct conflict with your needs. By not working directly with an insurance company, we can collaboratively decide upon the best method and length of treatment. Also, many insurances do not cover family or relational counseling which may be necessary or desirable. The persons making the decisions on what is best for the client should be the client and their therapist, not an insurance company. 
• ​Time - For a counselor to be able to "make a living" doing what they are passionate about, it requires us to make a choice. We can join the insurance companies, and therefore have to seen a large number of clients per day due to their low reimbursement rates, or we can choose to go private-pay and be able to see fewer clients. I have chosen the later since it allows for me to personalize treatment and focus on what is best for each client verses just trying to fill my calendar to make financial ends meet. I refuse to see my clients as a dollar sign.