Why I Don’t Take Insurance or Offer Free Consult Calls
*And Why That’s a Good Thing for Our Work Together
If you’ve spent any time searching for a therapist, you’ve probably run across a wide range of options—different approaches, different fees, different structures. Some accept insurance. Some offer free 15-minute consult calls.
I don’t do either. And I want to explain why.
This isn’t about being inflexible. It’s about offering therapy in a way that’s clear, grounded, and respectful—to both of us.
Why I Don’t Take Insurance
When I decided to step away from insurance, it wasn’t just a business move. It was a values-based decision.
Insurance companies regularly create barriers to meaningful care. They often require a mental health diagnosis just to approve treatment. They limit how long therapy can last. They sometimes ask for your personal clinical information in order to determine “medical necessity.”
That’s not therapy. That’s gatekeeping.
Therapy should be a space that belongs to you—not a company.
In my private-pay practice, we decide how often to meet, what to focus on, and how to move forward, without interference. It’s confidential. It’s collaborative. And it’s yours.
Why I Don’t Offer Free Consult Calls
I also don’t offer free “fit check” calls before someone books with me. And here’s why: Real therapy begins with presence and commitment, not a quick conversation to size each other up.
A 15-minute phone call doesn’t show how we’ll navigate real moments together. It won’t tell you what it feels like to sit across from me when you’re grieving, unraveling shame, or naming something you’ve never said aloud. That’s what therapy is for.
Over time, our profession has normalized this idea that therapists should prove they’re a “good fit” before being paid. We’ve stretched ourselves thin, offering free labor in the name of being helpful. But in doing so, we’ve blurred the boundary between marketing and care.
I don’t believe in sampling therapy like a product. I believe in showing up fully and doing the work from session one.
What You Can Expect Instead
Before we ever meet, you’ll have access to everything you need to make an informed decision. I write openly about my approach. I share videos, reflections, and content that reflect how I think and how I work. If you resonate with what you see, feel, or read, it’s a sign we might be a match.
From there, you book a session, not a sales call. That first session is the real test of fit, and I treat it with the care and intention it deserves.
Therapy That Respects You—and Me
Choosing to invest in therapy—financially, emotionally, and energetically—is a big step. I don’t take that lightly. In turn, I’ve structured my practice to respect both your commitment and mine.
No insurance. No consult calls. No jumping through hoops.
Just therapy—real, direct, and rooted in mutual respect.
If that speaks to you, let’s begin.