Therapy is a big investment for most people, and I appreciate that! Because I respect the commitment you make when you begin therapy, I have included a lot more information on this page than most therapists have on their “Fees and Insurance” page; I believe you should be fully informed about all the healthcare decisions you make! Most of the information below is applicable to therapy with any other therapist, so it’s probably worth your while to read it whether you end up choosing me or not!

I know therapy is expensive. You can look here to see average therapy rates in your zip code. (The code for one hour of individual psychotherapy is 90837). As I explained in my “About” page, I have years of education, training, and experience in specific evidence-based techniques to help you improve your feelings and your life. This is why therapy is different from, and much more effective than, simply talking to a good friend. I would encourage you to prioritize your mental health and personal growth the way you would your physical health–like a gym membership, or a massage (both of which I would encourage!)

COVID-19 UPDATE: I’ve been offering online therapy to individuals and couples for years! Click here to learn all about just how easy it is to do therapy from your home while you shelter in place!

Regarding sliding scale– I don’t offer sliding scale spots. I prefer not to get into the murky waters of how much any individual can realistically afford. That being said, for years I have been donating my time to underserved populations in the community, so feel free to inquire if any of my pro bono spots are available.

In addition to your session time, my rates cover the time that I spend between appointments on various tasks like: researching other resources you may need, coordinating care with other clinicians such as your psychiatrist or doctor (with your consent), reviewing your progress, preparing paperwork, and most importantly, considering how to best help you. My clients are often surprised to hear me say something like, "I thought about your issue when I was reviewing some psychology research last week..." I spend a lot of time researching innovative ways to support my clients. I want you to have the best care possible!

Fees

The fee for a 50-minute individual session is $225

The fee for an 75-minute couples or individual session is $350

The fee for a phone call (over 10 minutes) in-between sessions is $75 for every 15 minutes.

Full payment is due at time of service. I accept cash, check, debit, credit cards and HSA accounts.

Cancellation Policy

Therapy works best when appointments are regular and consistent, so I keep your time-slot on my calendar free for you each week, and don’t schedule anyone else. We all have real lives outside of the therapy office, so I do try to be flexible as much as possible when changes are necessary.

Cancellations less than 48 hours in advance will incur the full fee, unless we are able to reschedule in the same week.

Phone and video sessions are also available when it is difficult for you to come into the office.

Insurance

Thrive Therapy is an out-of-network provider for all insurance companies. If you are looking for reimbursement from your insurance company, I can provide you with a monthly statement (called a Superbill) to give to your insurance company for partial reimbursement. I would encourage you to speak with your insurance provider before coming to therapy so that you know exactly what to expect in terms of reimbursement. The code for a therapy session is 90837. There is also an app called Reimbursify that can do all the communication with your insurance company (for a fee of under $2.00/month). I am listed with them as a preferred provider, so they already have all my information on file; you can send them your information in under a minute, and they will make sure you get reimbursed. Easy peasy!

But– You don’t have to use insurance!

There are a number of reasons why it might be preferable for you not to use insurance:

1. Assumption of illness– insurance companies operate on the medical model, which means that you must have a diagnosable mental illness in order to be reimbursed. This diagnosis becomes part of your medical record, which can potentially affect your future ability to get life insurance, get a job where you regularly handle firearms,

2.  Lack of Confidentiality–All licensed mental health practitioners are legally required to keep notes about their treatment plan and what you talk about in your therapy session. Some of the employees of your insurance company will have access to this information.

3. Unreliability– Insurance companies are happy to look for reasons not to cover your mental healthcare. They may decide that you are not progressing fast enough (this can mean only 6-8 sessions in some cases) or that your therapy no longer qualifies as a “medical necessity”. Many insurance companies only reimburse for a 45-minute session, and hardly any will reimburse anything at all for couples therapy.

Like most therapists, I could go on and on about the state of the insurance industry regarding mental health, but I will end this diatribe right here. Please feel free to ask me any questions you might have, and I will answer them to the best of my ability. Again, Reimbursify is a great way to have someone else do all the legwork. If you want to do it on your own, you can also read more about getting reimbursed by your health insurance provider here.

I offer therapy both in my Los Angeles office, and online anywhere in California.

Call me at 323-999-1537, or email me at amy@thrivetherapyla.com for your free consultation either on the phone or in my office in West Los Angeles.