Why I Don’t Take Insurance as a Therapist, and Why That Might Be Better For You

If you’ve ever reached out for therapy and been surprised to hear a therapist say, “I don’t take insurance,” you’re not alone. I get asked about this often, and I want to share the full picture—because this decision wasn’t made lightly. It’s deeply rooted in my desire to provide the kind of therapy that actually helps.

I became a therapist to walk alongside people as they heal, grow, and reconnect with who they are—not to argue with insurance companies over whether your pain is valid.

So here’s why I don’t accept insurance—and why that might actually benefit you more than you think.

1. Insurance Companies Get Access to Your Private Mental Health Records, and Then They Get to Make The Decisions

This is the part most people don’t realize: when a therapist accepts insurance, we are required to share information about your treatment with your insurance company. Not just that you’re in therapy—but details. What you’re struggling with, what we’ve talked about, your diagnosis, your progress.

And here’s the kicker: the person reviewing those records? Often, it’s not another therapist. It’s not someone trained in mental health at all. It’s usually an insurance adjuster whose job is to determine whether your therapy is “medically necessary” based on the notes we submit.

That means someone who doesn’t know you—and isn’t trained to understand the nuance of emotional healing—is deciding whether you get to continue therapy, how many sessions you’re allowed, and even whether your struggles “qualify” as real enough to cover.

I don’t know about you, but I believe healing is sacred. It should be private, safe, and on your terms—not filtered through someone else’s spreadsheet.

2. Insurance Requires a Diagnosis, Even When That’s Not Helpful

In order to bill your insurance, I would be required to give you a mental health diagnosis. Every single time.

Now sometimes, that’s appropriate. If someone is dealing with something like PTSD or panic disorder, naming it can be empowering and helpful. But other times? It can feel limiting. Misleading. Even harmful.

I work with a lot of high-achieving women, moms, and teens who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or emotionally out of control—but that doesn’t always mean they have a clinical disorder. Sometimes they’re in the middle of a tough season. Sometimes their struggles are rooted in trauma, parenting stress, grief, or burnout—not something I want to reduce to a single line of code in an insurance form.

When I don’t accept insurance, I’m free to see you as a whole person, not a diagnosis. We get to focus on healing, not labeling.

3. Low Reimbursement Rates Can Lead to Burnout, and That Affects You, Too

Let’s talk honestly: insurance companies do not pay therapists well. In many cases, the reimbursement rates are so low that therapists have to see a lot of clients to make ends meet—sometimes 30 or more a week.

And that’s a fast track to burnout.

When I’m burned out, I’m not at my best. And that’s not fair to you.

I chose not to take insurance so I could slow down, do deeper work, and truly show up for the people I serve. I want my clients to feel seen, safe, and supported. I want to have the energy to think about your goals between sessions. To continue training. To run a sustainable business that honors my own mental health—because that’s what allows me to be a steady anchor for you.

The Benefits of Working with a Therapist Who Doesn’t Take Insurance

There are some real upsides to working with an out-of-network therapist that often get overlooked:

• Greater privacy: Your therapy stays between us.
• More control: You decide how often we meet and how long we work together—not your insurance.
• No diagnosis required: Unless it’s actually helpful to you.
• Customized therapy: We get to work on what you care about, even if it doesn’t fit neatly into a medical model.
• Long-term focus: We’re not just putting out fires—we’re building lasting change.

I Know Therapy Can Be Expensive—And I’m Committed to Making It Accessible

Final Thoughts

Choosing not to accept insurance wasn’t just a business decision. It was a boundary I set so I could offer the kind of care that actually helps. Therapy is a vulnerable, sacred process. You deserve to do it in a space where you’re not being watched, graded, or limited by someone outside the room.

So if you’re looking for a therapist who sees you as more than a diagnosis—who’s in this with you, fully present, and focused on your long-term growth—I’d love to work with you.

Whether you’re in Colorado and looking for therapy, or outside Colorado and looking for coaching, you’re welcome here.

You are not broken.
You’re not too much or too messy. You just haven’t had the right tools, the right support, or the right time.
Let’s change that—together.

Ready to book a 1:1 Therapy Session with me? Click HERE for a free screening.