Fees are set based on each clinician’s experience and expertise. We accept cash, credit/debit, FSA/HAS, cards with payment expected at the time of service.
We accept some insurances but not all and each therapist accepts different insurances.
Why don’t we accept most insurances?
Insurance companies routinely reimburse therapists at a significantly lower rate than other healthcare professionals. If we are not accepting your insurance it is likely due to an unacceptable reimbursement rate offer made by your insurance company and after attempts to have a more reasonable reimbursement rate negotiated.
We acknowledge that the use of insurance can make counseling more accessible for many individuals and we often pay for insurance coverage with the assumption that our health needs will be covered. All clients have the right to decide if they use their insurance or not to cover mental health therapy sessions. Whether you choose to use your insurance or not we will discuss with you the risks and benefits of your choice.
Here are some things to consider:
- Insurance companies require a diagnosis and medical necessity. There is nothing to be ashamed of for a mental health diagnosis, however some seek counseling as an opportunity for personal growth rather than a mental health diagnosis. Also, upon an audit, if your insurance company does not think you need therapy then they will stop covering it or sometimes take money back from your counselor after an audit. Therefore, it is up to the therapist whether or not they believe they can justify medical necessity because the financial risk and liability falls on them.
- Insurance companies can dictate how we can engage in the counseling process. An insurance company may determine that certain therapy approaches are not medically necessary or deemed in their eyes as not helpful to you. Also services provided must follow strict insurance guidelines and time constraints base upon insurance rules and regulations which are not flexible. For instance, if you need extra time in a session, that is not a decision insurance allows unless you are deemed to be in a mental health crisis where you may harm yourself or someone else.
- Insurance companies can and do retroactively deny claims and take money back that they have already paid. This decision rarely has to do with the quality of care provided.
You, not your insurance company, are responsible for full payment of fees to which we have agreed; therefore, it is very important that you find out exactly what mental health services your insurance policy covers. Call your insurance company to verify your benefits, including any copayment, coinsurance, and/or deductibles that apply. Some insurance companies will only authorize a limited number of sessions. The insurance codes that we most commonly use that you will want to verify coverage for are 90791, 90837, 90834, 90832, 90847 and 90846.
Cancellation Policy
We maintain a cancellation policy of 24 hours notice. If you cancel your appointment within 24 hours you will be charged a missed session fee of $60.
Why don’t we accept most insurances?
Insurance companies routinely reimburse therapists at a significantly lower rate than other healthcare professionals. If we are not accepting your insurance it is likely due to an unacceptable reimbursement rate offer made by your insurance company and after attempts to have a more reasonable reimbursement rate negotiated. Insurance companies also make unreasonable demands on mental health professionals that go way beyond reasonable expectations with regards to prior authorizations, documentation requests, and audits.
All clients have the right to decide if they use their insurance or not to cover mental health therapy sessions. Whether you choose to use your insurance or not we will discuss with you the risks and benefits of your choice.
We acknowledge that the use of insurance can make counseling more accessible for many individuals and we often pay for insurance coverage with the assumption that our health needs will be covered. At times and especially in mental health, insurance can create more barriers than access.
Here are some barriers that can disrupt your therapy services if you opt to use your insurance coverage:
- Insurance companies require a diagnosis and medical necessity, meaning that in their eyes there must be something wrong with you that needs to be fixed. People do not need to be fixed but rather support through difficult times and some see counseling as an opportunity for personal growth. If your insurance company does not think you need it then they will stop covering it or sometimes take money back from your counselor after an audit for which they will never be reimbursed.
- Insurance companies can dictate how we can engage in the counseling process. At times this person telling us what we can and cannot do is not a trained clinician. They may determine that certain therapy approaches are not medically necessary or deemed in their eyes as not helpful to you.
- There is a significant amount of time dealing with processing claims that goes unpaid by insurance companies. Therefore, any services provided must follow strict insurance guidelines and time constraints base upon insurance rules and regulations which are not flexible. For instance, if you need extra time in a session, that is not a decision insurance allows unless you are deemed to be in a mental health crisis where you may harm yourself or someone else.
- Insurance companies can and do retroactively deny claims and take money back that they have already paid. This decision rarely has to do with the quality of care provided.
You, not your insurance company, are responsible for full payment of fees to which we have agreed; therefore, it is very important that you find out exactly what mental health services your insurance policy covers. It is understood that it is your responsibility to verify your benefits, including any copayment, coinsurance, and/or deductibles that apply. Some insurance companies will only authorize a limited number of sessions in a limited amount of time.
Cancellation Policy
We maintain a cancellation policy of 24 hours notice. If you cancel your appointment within 24 hours you will be charged a missed session fee of $60.
Good Faith Estimates
For all out-of-network and self-pay clients we will provide you with a Good Faith Estimate that notifies you of the fee for each type of service you have with your therapist. Your therapist’s fee is posted on their biography in the About Us page and is also explained in the consent form you sign prior to starting therapy at Bright Path. The frequency of sessions will depend on the therapy goals you identify for yourself or the level of crisis that you are in. For instance, clients with whom safety is a concern, therapy sessions may be needed twice a week.
Although we cannot tell you how long you will need therapy there is research that identifies optimal therapeutic change. Acute difficulties usually require fewer therapy sessions than chronic conditions. Challenging family dynamics may also contribute to a longer course of therapy for children. We do not prescribe medications however whether or not a person is on medications may also impact the needed frequency or duration of therapy sessions.
Clients who come consistently to weekly therapy for a period of 4 to 6 months typically show better outcomes in a shorter period of time than clients who have less frequent, sporadic or inconsistent sessions. If you are having a financial hardship that is impacting your ability to continue or attend your therapy regularly, talk to your therapist about your options.
Fully Licensed Therapists:
Fully licensed therapists charge $170 for the first session and $140 for 53-minute therapy sessions. For a treatment course of weekly therapy for 4 to 6 months, the out-of-pocket costs will be approximately $600 per month.
Fully Licensed Therapists with Specialty Training:
Fully licensed therapists who have specialty trainings charge $210 for the first session and $175 for 53-minute therapy sessions. For a treatment course of weekly therapy for 4 to 6 months, the out-of-pocket costs will be approximately $700-900 per month.
Associate Licensed Therapists:
Master’s level therapists in Georgia are required to work under a fully licensed therapist for a period of 2-3 years following the completion of their degree. Our associate licensed therapists charge $155 for the first session and $125 for 53-minute therapy sessions. For a treatment course of weekly therapy for 4 to 6 months, the out-of-pocket costs will be approximately $545 per month.
Intern Therapists:
Intern therapists are in the process of completing their degree work to be eligible to practice as therapists post-graduation with their Master’s degree. Our intern therapists charge $60 for 53-minute therapy sessions. For a treatment course of weekly therapy for 4 to 6 months, the out-of-pocket costs will be approximately $255 per month.
Good Faith Estimates
For all out-of-network and self-pay clients we will provide you with a Good Faith Estimate that notifies you of the fee for each time you attend a therapy session with your therapist. Your therapist’s fee is posted on their biography in the About Us page and is also explained in the consent form you sign prior to starting therapy at Bright Path. We do not believe in surprise billing. The frequency of sessions will depend on the therapy goals you identify for yourself and the level of crisis that you are in. For instance, clients with whom safety is a concern, therapy sessions may be needed twice a week.
Although we cannot tell you how long you will need therapy there is research that identifies optimal therapeutic change. Acute difficulties usually require fewer therapy sessions than chronic conditions. Challenging family dynamics may also contribute to a longer course of therapy for children. We do not prescribe medications however whether or not a person is on medications may also impact the needed frequency or duration of therapy sessions.
Clients who come consistently to weekly therapy for a period of 4 to 6 months typically show better outcomes in a shorter period of time than clients who have less frequent, sporadic or inconsistent sessions. If you are having a financial hardship that is impacting your ability to continue or attend your therapy regularly, talk to your therapist about your options.
Fully Licensed Therapists:
Fully licensed therapists charge $170 for the first session and $140 for 53-minute therapy sessions. For a treatment course of weekly therapy for 4 to 6 months, the out-of-pocket costs will be approximately $600 per month.
- Brandy Rogers, LPC, RPT-S, CPCS
- Jennifer Mejias, LMFT
- Kelly Keyser, LPC, RPT, CPCS
- Jessica Donaldson, LCSW
- Shane Donaldson, LCSW
- Chelsey Davidson, LCSW
- Gabrielle Parker, LCSW
- Jaime Hunn, LCSW
Associate Licensed Therapists:
Master’s level therapists in Georgia are required to work under a fully licensed therapist for a period of 2-3 years following the completion of their degree. Our associate licensed therapists charge $155 for the first session and $125 for 53-minute therapy sessions. For a treatment course of weekly therapy for 4 to 6 months, the out-of-pocket costs will be approximately $545 per month.
Intern Therapists:
Intern therapists are in the process of completing their degree work to be eligible to practice as therapists post-graduation with their Master’s degree. Our intern therapists charge $60 for 53-minute therapy sessions. For a treatment course of weekly therapy for 4 to 6 months, the out-of-pocket costs will be approximately $255 per month.
- Karen Parey
- Emoni Evins
