Payment Information for Individual Psychotherapy

There are several ways of paying for therapy and/or hypnosis.

The first option, insurance, usually involves the client paying a co-pay (often in the range of $15-$35) at the time of service, with the insurance paying the remainder of the balance to the therapist at a subsequent date.  This option is only possible when the therapist participates with the insurance company (also referred to as “in-network”).  I participate with only two insurance companies – Aetna and Highmark Blue Shield.  More information about my participation with these companies is provided below.

The second option, self-pay, involves the client paying the entire balance to the therapist at the time of service.  While this involves the client paying a greater amount of money, it gives the client greater power and flexibility over her or his treatment.  For example, insurance companies may restrict the type of services and number of sessions provided.  In addition, they have the right to request treatment records from in-network therapists.  These are several reasons why self-pay can be a more appealing payment option for clients.    

The following is information about each option:

Aetna:  I participate with all Aetna plans.  Please check directly with your plan to determine benefits and coverage (e.g. co-pay, pre-authorization, session limits).

Highmark Blue Shield:  I participate with Highmark Blue Shield’s Premier Blue PPO program.  I am in-network with Highmark and other affiliated Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO plans.  This includes Federal and most out-of-area BCBS PPOs.  It does NOT include HMO plans.  Please check directly with your plan to determine benefits and coverage (e.g. co-pay, pre-authorization, session limits).

Please note: Independence Blue Cross outsources all of their mental health benefits to a company, Magellan, with whom I do NOT participate.  Therefore, I do not participate with any of Independence’s plans, including Personal Choice PPO and Keystone East HMO.  If you have one of these plans, I am considered an out-of-network provider.  You can see me as a self-pay client (see below), and then submit your claims for reimbursement from your insurance company.  This is contingent on your out-of-network benefits.


Self-Pay:  Most of my clients fall under the self-pay category.  These clients either have an insurance plan with whom I do not participate, or choose the self-pay option for another reason.

My standard fee is $150 for a 45-minute session.  In addition, I have a sliding fee scale for clients who qualify.  This sliding scale is standardized (e.g. the same principles and rates are applied to everyone – no exceptions) and factors in household income, number of persons in the household, and supplemental income.  Depending on these factors, my session fee can be reduced by as much as 35%.   Please contact me for more information if you believe that you qualify for the sliding scale.

The initial meeting is an extended intake session – in order for me to obtain an appropriate grasp of the presenting problem and pertinent background information - which runs 55 minutes and costs $165.  If you qualify for the sliding scale, I will charge the sliding scale rate plus $15 for the initial session (e.g. if your rate is $120 on the sliding scale, I will charge you $135 for the initial intake).  The additional $15 represents the difference between my regular rate ($150) and intake ($165) rate.

Payment Information for Couples Psychotherapy

The same fee ($150), session length (45 minutes) and sliding scale for individual psychotherapy applies to couples therapy.  Insurance participation, however, depends upon your specific plan.  Many – although not all - Aetna and Highmark plans cover marital therapy.  Most – but not all – of these plans do NOT cover (pre-marital) couples therapy.  In these cases, the out-of-network fee applies.

Payment Information for Group Psychotherapy

My fee for a 90 minute group psychotherapy session is $50.  I do not have a sliding scale for group therapy.  Aetna and Highmark subscribers may be eligible for in-network group psychotherapy rates.  This is contingent upon the benefits of your plan; check with your subscriber for more information.  For all clients, I require an individual initial intake session (see above for more information) prior to participating in a group.

Payment Information for Clinical Hypnosis & Wellness Services

Clinical Hypnosis

Clinical Hypnosis sessions are 45 minutes in length, and cost $150.  A limited sliding scale is available in cases of financial need.  Approximately 20% of my clients see me specifically for clinical hypnosis.  In these cases, they are often self-referred or referred by another provider for a specific behavioral medicine concern (e.g. IBS, smoking cessation, insomnia, etc.).  Clinical hypnosis tends to be short-term in focus, with the specific number of sessions based on the particular concern.  In certain cases, it may be determined over the course of the treatment that the symptoms are being caused by more chronic, long-term problems in functioning.  In these cases, the treatment may shift to psychotherapy, and the overall number of sessions may be higher.

For clients whose symptoms and/or problems are more emotional in nature – anxiety, for example – the prevailing treatment modality will be psychotherapy, with clinical hypnosis featured as a potential treatment technique within the overall psychotherapy. 

For in-network clients (Aetna, Highmark) seeing me specifically for clinical hypnosis, please note that hypnotherapy may not be covered by your insurance plan (this is often the case for smoking cessation in particular).

Wellness Services

Wellness sessions run 45 minutes and cost $150.  No sliding scale is available, and these services are not covered by insurance.  These services are short-term in focus (e.g. 4-6 sessions).

Payment Information for Consultation

Please contact me directly.