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Dr. Teresa Smith

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Why Some Therapists Don’t Accept Insurance

It’s not easy finding a therapist. You’ve got to search for someone who is licensed, has experience treating your particular issue, and someone who you feel comfortable opening up to. Many know the frustration of finding someone who ticks all of these boxes, only to realize that they don’t take insurance. The truth is, roughly one third of therapists in this country do not accept insurance.

So what gives?

Why Many Therapists Don’t Accept Insurance

There are actually quite a few reasons why some therapists choose not accept insurance from patients:

Low Reimbursement Rates

The average cost of a therapy session around the country is typically between $100 to $200. With insurance, you may have a copay of $20 – $50. You may assume your therapist will bill the insurance company and be reimbursed for the rest of the money. But often insurance companies will reimburse for half the amount or less. It can be quite difficult for a therapist to make an actual living wage with such low reimbursement rates.

Hassles

Another deterrent for therapists is the hassle of interacting with insurance companies. As you can imagine, there are far more pleasant things to do with one’s time. Insurance companies often require therapists to continually provide documentation to justify treatment of their patients. And, because mental health outcomes can be far more difficult to measure than physical ones, it can be harder to prove to insurance companies that care is essential.

Supply and Demand

Far more people are seeking mental health therapy. We have actually seen a dramatic increase in new patients since the Covid pandemic. And what happens is, with so many patients willing to pay out of pocket, there is simply less of a need for therapists to deal with the hassles and headaches of insurance.

Finding Affordable Mental Health Care

If you are on a budget, all is not lost. There are ways to work with a great therapist and not break the bank.

You can find a therapist who offers sliding scale payments. This simply means different people with different incomes are charged different amounts based on what they can realistically afford.

Another option is to look for a therapist who provides online sessions. With no office rent or staff to hire, these therapists are often able to charge clients far less because they have far lower overheads to run their business.

If you’d like to explore treatment options, please give me a call. I offer online sessions and can often work with people of all different budgets.

SOURCES:

Therapists Who Don’t Accept Insurance

https://www.heartmatterstherapy.com/post/5-reasons-why-some-therapists-do-not-accept-insurance

3 Reasons Why Many Therapists Don’t Take Insurance

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Managing Anxiety in the Workplace

Anxiety can affect every aspect of our lives, including our employment. And if workplace anxiety isn’t properly managed, it has the potential to negatively impact our careers.

For example, if a promotion would require you to interact more with clients, give more presentations, or take more business trips—and you feel stressed at the prospect of having to take on those tasks—you may be more likely to turn down the advancement (as well as the salary increase that would accompany it). Likewise, if you have social anxiety, you may be less likely to chat with your coworkers in the break room and attend office parties, which could prevent you from building a valuable network.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to manage anxiety in the workplace. If you regularly experience anxiety while you’re at work, you may want to try:

  • Keeping your desk, your computer desktop, and your email inbox organized and free of clutter
  • Making prioritized to-do lists and scheduling enough time to complete each of your tasks
  • Letting your coworkers know if you don’t have the bandwidth to take on additional work
  • Asking for help when you begin feeling overwhelmed
  • Avoiding checking work emails and voicemails after business hours
  • Scheduling vacation time (even if you don’t have travel plans, a staycation can help you relax and clear your mind)
  • Taking quick breaks whenever you start to feel anxious (for example, performing breathing exercises at your desk or taking a walk around the building)
  • Leading a healthy lifestyle (for example, eating nutritious foods, drinking plenty of fluids, exercising, and getting enough sleep each night)

Learn More About Anxiety Management

If you’re struggling to manage your anxiety at work, at home, or in other aspects of your life, we can help. Our caring therapists have extensive experience treating anxiety, and we can provide you with advice that’s tailored to your specific circumstances. Contact us today to learn more about our practice and schedule your first therapy session.

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How to Support a Loved One Through a Panic Attack

Do you have a friend or family member who regularly experiences panic attacks? If so, you may be looking for ways to recognize when these attacks are taking place and offer your support. We’ve got the answers you need below.

How to Recognize a Panic Attack

Even if you’ve experienced panic attacks yourself, it can be difficult to tell when someone around you is having one. Your loved one may be experiencing a panic attack if:

  • They’re flushed, sweating, or otherwise appear to be hot (for example, they might have taken off an outer layer of clothing).
  • They’re shivering or shaking.
  • They’re hyperventilating or having trouble breathing.
  • They suddenly went quiet.

How to Help Someone During a Panic Attack

If you think that a friend or family member might be having a panic attack, it’s important to stay calm and treat them gently. You may want to:

  • Reassure them that they’re safe, the panic attack will be over soon, and you’ll stay with them in the meantime.
  • Guide them through breathing exercises.
  • Take them outside or open a window so they can get some fresh air.
  • Take them to a more private place.
  • Bring them a glass of water.

If your loved one frequently has panic attacks, you may want to ask them when they’re feeling calmer about how they’d like to be supported in the future.

Get Help With Your Loved One’s Panic Attacks

If you have a friend or family member who regularly experiences panic attacks, we encourage you to meet with one of the knowledgeable therapists at our practice. We have extensive experience treating panic attacks, and we can supply you with tools and tips for how to support your loved one. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

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10 Relaxation Tips for Busy Professionals

Does your career often leave you feeling stressed? If so, you’re not alone. According to statistics published by the American Institute of Stress, 40% of workers reported that their job was very or extremely stressful, and 25% viewed their job as the No. 1 stressor in their life. And because stress can make it difficult for you to focus, it can affect job performance, potentially leading to even more stress.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to manage your stress, relax, and enjoy a better quality of life:

  1. Eat a nutritious diet.
  2. Drink plenty of water.
  3. Get enough sleep.
  4. Exercise (you may even be able to do a few calming yoga poses in your office).
  5. Meditate.
  6. Use positive affirmations.
  7. Practice deep breathing.
  8. Spend time on self-care (this could involve going out to dinner with friends, visiting the spa, or even just taking a short walk outside).
  9. Take periodic breaks during the workday.
  10. Find a healthy work-life balance.

Talk to a Therapist

If you’re still feeling stressed, you may want to consider attending therapy. An experienced therapist can help you identify stress triggers and provide you with tips and tools for how to relax when you start feeling overwhelmed.

Fortunately, busy professionals in this area can turn to our therapists for help with relaxation. We understand the toll that a strenuous career can take on your mental health, and once we’ve learned about your lifestyle and treatment goals, we’ll be able to supply you with advice that’s tailored to your specific needs. Contact us today to schedule your first therapy session.

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