Fees & Payment
Investment for offered services
Consultation: 15 minutes - FREE
Therapy is an investment, not just financially, but in the way we show up for our lives, our relationships, and ourselves.
Investment:
Initial Intake Session: 60 minutes, $225
Ongoing Therapy Sessions: 53- 60 minutes, $200
ESA & GAMHA Assessments with Letter: 45 -60 minutes, $150
Investing in therapy may feel difficult when you’re used to putting others first. But therapy isn’t a luxury. It’s like medicine, not an optional supplement. While vitamins may boost your health, medicine is essential when it comes to truly addressing the problem. Therapy goes deeper than just managing your overwhelm or anxiety; it helps you heal and find lasting balance. When you feel drained, resentful, or like you’re running on empty, it’s a sign that your emotional well-being needs more than just surface-level care. By prioritizing therapy, you’re choosing the help that gets to the root of the issue, allowing you to not just survive but thrive in both your personal and professional life. Taking this step isn’t an indulgence; you must keep showing up for others and, most importantly, yourself.
PAYMENT
Payment is due at time of service. When enrolling in services, I require a preferred debit card, credit card, CareCredit card, or HSA card on file. This will ease the process of payments and allow us to focus on more important things, like you!
CAN I USE HSA, FSA, OR HRA to pay for therapy?
Health Savings Accounts (HSA’s), Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA’s), and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA’s) can be used to cover the cost of therapy and often decrease the cost of treatment significantly.
REduced fee therapy FOR ASSOCIATE LEVEL CLINICIANS
Because I know firsthand that the early years of this profession can be financially challenging, I reserve four reduced fee therapy spots specifically for LPC Associates, LMSWs, and LMFT Associates in Texas. These discounted rates are available upon request and subject to availability. If you're an early career therapist looking for support while navigating the demands of this profession, please don't hesitate to ask about current openings.
Cancellation & Missed Appointment Policy
Your appointment time is reserved specifically for you. I understand that life happens, schedules change, and sometimes things come up unexpectedly. However, because that time has been set aside for you, I require at least 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment.
The following situations will result in a fee equal to 100% of the scheduled session rate:
Cancellations made less than 24 hours before your appointment
Rescheduling requests made less than 24 hours before your appointment unless the appointment can be rescheduled and completed within the same calendar week, subject to availability.
Arriving more than 15 minutes late to your scheduled session
Missing an appointment without providing notice
You can cancel or reschedule by text, phone, or email.
Please note: Insurance does not cover late cancellation or missed appointment fees. These charges are your responsibility and will be processed using the payment method on file.
Appointment reminders are provided as a courtesy. You are responsible for keeping track of your scheduled appointments, even if a reminder is not received.
WHY PRIVATE PAY?
Sage Holistic Counseling is a private pay practice, which means I do not accept insurance and am not in network with any insurance companies. Instead, you pay for your sessions directly, and you may be eligible for reimbursement through your insurance plan's out of network benefits. This is intentional because it allows for more privacy, flexibility, and depth in our work. Insurance often requires a mental health diagnosis, limits the type and length of care, and involves a third party in your treatment. Working outside of insurance keeps your therapy focused on you, not what a company will approve.
But private pay isn't the right fit for everyone, and that's okay. I recognize that therapy is a financial investment, and I never want someone to feel pressured into a commitment that isn't sustainable for them. If using your insurance is essential to accessing care, I'm happy to help you explore other options.
can i use my out-OF-network (oon) benefits if you don’t accept my insurance?
Possibly! While Sage Holistic Counseling is a private-pay practice and does not bill insurance directly, I can provide a superbill upon request for you to submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement through your out-of-network (OON) benefits.
Your health plan may still cover a large portion of your therapy costs if you have “out-of-network” benefits for mental/behavioral health. Look up your plan details (specifically under the out-of-network Mental Health Outpatient Services). If you don’t have out-of-network benefits, consider switching to a plan that does during the Open Enrollment period.
A superbill is an itemized receipt that includes the information your insurance company may need to process an out-of-network claim. If you ask for a superbill, it is delivered to your inbox on the 3rd of each month via Simple Practice. Please note: Superbills include a mental health diagnosis and other information about your treatment. If you choose to submit a superbill for reimbursement, this information will be shared with your insurance company and may become part of your insurance records.
Reimbursement is not guaranteed and depends on your individual insurance plan, deductible, and out-of-network coverage. I recommend contacting your insurance provider before beginning therapy to confirm your benefits, reimbursement rates, and any requirements for submitting claims.
What Should I Ask My Insurance Company?
Before beginning therapy, I recommend contacting your insurance company to confirm your out of network benefits for outpatient mental health services.
Here is some information your insurance company may ask for:
Provider: Aubrey Richardson, LPC
NPI: 1912572074
Service: Individual psychotherapy
CPT code: 90837 (53 minutes or longer), when applicable
Service location: Telehealth, Texas
Place of service code and modifier: POS: 02, Modfied: 95
If you're considering using out of network benefits, here are a few questions to ask your insurance provider:
Does my plan include out of network benefits for outpatient mental health therapy?
What is my out of network deductible, and how much have I met?
What percentage of the allowed amount will my plan reimburse after I meet my deductible?
What is the allowed amount for CPT code 90837 (60 minute individual psychotherapy)?
Are telehealth sessions with a Texas licensed therapist eligible for reimbursement?
Do I need prior authorization or a referral?
How do I submit a superbill and is there a deadline?
Please note: I do not verify insurance benefits, submit claims, or communicate with insurance companies on your behalf. I can provide superbills upon request, but reimbursement decisions are made entirely by your insurance company.
GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE INFORMATION
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost.
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 800-985-3059.
Where can I learn more about licensed professional counselors (LPCs) in Texas?
Please visit the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors website.
Contact Information for Texas State Licensing Boards
Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC)
George H.W. Bush State Office Bldg.
1801 Congress Ave., Ste. 7.300
Austin, Texas 78701
Ph: 512-305-7700 or 1-800-821-3205
Encompasses the following licensing bodies:
Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors (LPC)
Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners (LMSW/LCSW)
Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
Professional licenses for all therapists may be verified on the BHEC website www.bhec.texas.gov
To file a complaint, call the 24-hour, toll-free complaint system at 800-821-3205.