Private pay therapy offers deeper, more personalized care, free from insurance restrictions. Investing in your mental health means lasting change and true healing. Read on for more reasons why opting to pay out-of-pocket for therapy is really worth it.

Sessions can be more affordable, but the level of savings is not proportional to the rate cut for providers. So when you pay for therapy, although you’re paying less, your money is going toward the company BetterHelp—its advertising, parent company investors, and overall profit, not toward paying your therapist. This will undoubtedly impact the therapeutic relationship, which is “at least as vital to a positive outcome as using the right treatment method” according to the American Psychological Association.

The US healthcare system is so sh**ty. Insurance is a hit or miss (usually a miss!), and often people are without insurance as it’s usually not financially accessible. For mental health needs, insurance continues to fall through as well. The goal and fight will always be for universal healthcare, but as we try to survive in this violent, uncaring system, here is general information and resources in using your insurance and/or finding affordable options for therapy.

We get asked a lot here at Kindman & Co. if insurance benefits will cover relationship or couples therapy. The short answer is: probably not, and we’re not happy about it. From the perspective of insurance companies, problems in your relationship are not considered issues that impact your overall health to a degree that necessitates they pay for medical treatment. We disagree! Read more about our stance that couples therapy should be covered, too.