Private Pay Therapy Statement

The primary reason we prioritize private pay therapy is because we work with individuals who share highly sensitive material that they wish to address in confidence. When you have health insurance that covers psychotherapy, your contract often allows the insurance company to 'inspect' your therapy records. It's important to note that while HIPAA regulates what records can be electronically shared with health professionals, it does not prevent your health insurance company from accessing your therapist's notes about you.

According to the Goleman (1993) New York Times article, the most common invasion of privacy in therapy sessions arises from clients not recognizing that they have consented to their psychotherapy being scrutinized by employees of the health plan funding their treatment.

"When you sign up for a health plan or health insurance policy, you typically sign a release that grants the company the right to know details such as your diagnosis, the type of therapy you are receiving, and the number of sessions," stated Dr. [David] Nevin.

Additionally, health insurance operates within a managed care system, meaning your therapist often needs to discuss your therapy with the health insurance company’s case manager to secure approval for ongoing sessions. This requirement can limit the number of sessions and disrupt the continuity of care.

Moreover, many individuals prefer to keep their psychotherapy private due to the stigma surrounding mental health services, which can affect employment opportunities. It's essential to understand that by allowing access to your medical records and using insurance to cover psychotherapy, sensitive information, including diagnoses, session dates, and therapy duration, may be disclosed.

Finally, our practice focuses on sensitive issues such as complex trauma, gender identity, sexuality, and substance abuse. These topics are often socially stigmatized and can lead to discrimination and harassment. Therefore, we emphasize providing accessible care through a private pay model to ensure clients receive the privacy and confidentiality they deserve, mitigating potential dangers associated with revealing their mental health history.

Reference

Goleman, Daniel. (1993, April 14). What you reveal to a psychotherapist may go further. New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/14/health/what-you-reveal-to-a-psychotherapist-may-go-further.html