Couples Counseling in Brea, CA

I get many calls from potential clients asking if I take insurance. I am only contracted with the CIGNA panel. I honestly believe there are more risks than benefits to using insurance in counseling. You’re probably thinking, "Why shouldn't I use my insurance?" The answer isn't necessarily so black-and-white. It is best you understand the risks and benefits of using health insurance therapy before making a decision that may have negative consequences.

The Benefits
•Your insurance can pay for a good portion of your therapy.
•Your insurance may pay for all of your therapy!                                                                     
•You pay for your premiums and have the right to use your benefits whenever possible.

The Risks
•Your insurance will pay for therapy, only if you qualify for a mental disorder diagnosis, which I have to disclose to your insurance panel to get reimbursed. I don't really want the diagnosis to be the focus of your therapy.
•Your level of privacy is compromised. If you are trying to apply for life/disability insurance/private health insurance, they will need to have access to any prior health information.
•I will need to speak with your insurance company to explain why continued sessions are medically necessary. This means the insurance company decides whether your therapy should be paid for. I don't want your therapy to be dictated by someone who doesn't know you or your issues.
•If therapy alone does not seem to be improving your symptoms, your insurance company may require you to be assessed for medications or they can cease to authorize sessions. This may not be necessary for the issues we're working on.
•In a court proceeding, medical records could get subpoenaed, including your mental health records.

What This Means to You
•If you want to keep your issues private and the paper trail to a minimum, you want to look at the risks and benefits of using your insurance to subsidize your therapy and decide if it is the right way to pay for your counseling. I can appreciate you may feel like therapy can become very expensive. Generally, this isn't true. Many clients experience some improvement fairly quickly--within 8 to 20 sessions.

So call me today and we can discuss which option is best for you!

Jodi Blackley, M.S., M.F.T.
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
714-212-1160
jodiblackley@mac.com