From insurance to first session: Here’s what to expect
By Malynn Kuangparichat, Psy.D., J.D.
When just beginning therapy visits, many of our clients express the same belief, “I just feel the worst of myself. I can’t even handle my own problems so now here I am.” Most people feel, perhaps like yourself, that needing therapy equals “worst case scenario” or they’re “going crazy.” The truth of the fact is that most people needing therapy just need a professional to help them understand the root of their anxiety or depression and give them implementable strategies to improve their well-being.
In fact, many clients wished they’d reached out earlier because they see the benefits and long-lasting results of their therapy sessions for their mental health and well-being.
Regardless of where you might be in your search for mental health support, reaching out for help is by far the hardest and most courageous step.
But, what happens next once you’ve reached out to a mental health provider? How exactly does insurance work? Do I get to choose my therapist if there’s a team? What’s the first session like?
For those still seeking care for their mental health needs, the uncertainty of how insurance and fees work and what exactly the first therapy session is like can cause a fair amount of anxiety. This simple guide is meant to help you clarify the process for getting therapy, from the first call to the first session, and ease some of the anxiety that comes from the unknown.
Debunking a Few Myths about Therapy
Before getting into the process, I’d like to lay out 3 common misconceptions about therapy. These might give you a better idea about mental health access and services to inform your decisions on a therapist that makes sense for you.
Therapy For All
First, the most common myth is that therapy is for “crazy” people or for those with severe mental health needs. Again, mental health support is for everyone, for the young and young-at-heart, whether it’s anxiety over a new job or communication challenges in a relationship or stress due to school pressures. You can read more in this article about mental health checkups for everyone. To put it simply, therapy is a way to optimize your well-being so you’re equipped to be on your way with daily life.
Therapy at a Small Practice Can Be Affordable
Generally, if you want more affordable therapy services, you would need to go to a larger therapy center. These centers are wonderful resources to bring access to more people, but that could also mean a less intimate and personal experience. There are smaller practices, such as ours here, who are committed to keeping access open to all. This can look differently at each practice. For instance, smaller practices may intentionally keep therapy rates lower, use a sliding scale, include a lower rate option, and/or not accept insurance (while offering lower rates) for those who may not qualify for mental health services due to misaligned systems of oppression.
Yada, Yada, Yada…There’s No End to Therapy
No need to imagine yourself laying on a couch and recounting your childhood for therapy that never ends. Depending on the type of therapy and therapist, the sessions are conversational and collaborative. Though there are long-term clients, many therapists set goals and actionable steps for clients, aim to meet less frequently, and eventually end therapy, depending on progress. Now, due to the pandemic, there’s more access and options with teletherapy services. (If you’re curious to know, our therapists and clinicians are able to provide telepsychology services for PA residents. In addition, I’m able to provide telepsychology services in 18 states through PSYPACT. Here’s the list of states.) The goal of therapy is to empower you with strategies that will result in lifelong benefits.
What to Expect: From First Call to First Session
So, you’re ready to get therapy, but just thinking about navigating insurance stops you from continuing the process for getting therapy. Is it out-of-pocket? Co-pay? Do I get reimbursed?
You’re also feeling anxious because you’re not sure what to expect with the first therapy session. Fortunately, describing the process step-by-step will help put you at ease and help you make informed decisions for your next steps.
Now, to give you an overview of how the process works starting with setting up a therapy appointment, I’m going to walk you through our process at CCWB, which includes navigating the very-daunting-but-don’t-worry-we’re-here-to-help-you-through-the-process insurance portion.
Reaching Out to the Office
You can contact the therapy office by calling the main line (ours is 484-748-4881), or contact the office via our website where we respond within 24 business hours.
Collecting Your Information
Our incredibly helpful and welcoming administrative staff, Hailey, will collect the following information from you:
- General contact information
- Insurance information
- Presenting concerns (we just need a general idea to match you up with the best clinician for your needs)
Okay, so far so good. It’s always helpful to have a friendly assistant guide you through that initial call especially since the most difficult part is reaching out. So, contacting a therapy office is a huge step!
Now, what’s next? The next part includes filling out a secure, online form and figuring out the figureoutable insurance portion.
Filling Out the Forms
After your first call with the office, Hailey, our administrative staff, creates an account in our client portal online which is HIPAA-compliant, secure, and confidential.
At that point, you’ll get an email to confirm the information.
When you’re in the client portal, there are several tasks you’ll need to complete in the account. You can:
- sign consent for therapy sessions
- provide more information, if necessary
- Fill out the background form that goes into more details of your presenting concerns (this goes only to your assigned clinician)
Insurance 101: How Your Insurance Works When Getting Therapy
It’s most likely an appropriate time to take a *deep breath* wheeww. First thing, after your first call into the office, Hailey will confirm what type of payment is available for your insurance plan. She can then give you a rough estimate of the amount each therapy session costs for you.
Most commonly, clients pay on the day of their therapy appointments with either a co-pay or deductible.
Co-Pay
In the case of a co-pay, we generally don’t call back to let you know because the amount owed is minimal. However, you’re absolutely welcome to request a call-back if you want to know the cost with co-pay.
Deductible
If it’s a deductible, we call you back to let you know the cost so you can make an informed decision. When a deductible is paid, then there’s usually a co-insurance amount. We can let you know that number as well.
I know insurance jargon is confusing for many (understandably so!) and many get lost in the details. If you’re unclear about a deductible vs. out-of-pocket max, then check out this blog post that succinctly explains the difference with examples and a helpful visual.
Co-Insurance
For co-insurance, we’ll submit the payment after the appointment; then, at your next appointment, you’ll pay for whatever amount is submitted back from insurance (if there’s no next appointment, we’ll send a bill).
Getting Therapy Without the Insurance Headache (Clarity = Action!)
Basically, what you owe is determined by your insurance company, and not by our therapy practice. And what that means is you owe whatever contractual rate we have with your particular insurance company. What it doesn’t mean is that you’re left in the dark about how much you pay for therapy appointments. For clarity, we let you know the cost you owe with your insurance plan so that you can make an informed decision. In addition, we give you the payment amount that you owe when you come in for your appointment.
With all that said, we always recommend calling your insurance company to confirm the costs.
Your First Therapy Visit
Here you are at your first appointment, and you’re feeling anxious while you sit in the waiting room (or on queue for a telepsychology appointment). Knowing what to expect during the first visit can help ease your anxiety, from the purpose of the first visit to how the first session ends.
The first session looks a bit differently than subsequent visits as your therapist is getting to know you; whereas following visits will focus on learning coping skills and strategies.
For your first visit, think conversational. The way your therapist asks questions will feel like a conversation that’s collaborative.
During the session, your therapist is gathering information about why you’re seeking therapy and asking questions to better understand your presenting concerns. She may ask you for more details about your family, medical, psychological, educational, job, and social history. Again, sessions are nonjudgmental, as your therapist pieces together your information, brainstorming ideas on how to best help you, and seeing if you’re a good fit for each other.
Wrapping Up Your First Visit
At the end of the visit, your therapist will most likely have potential goals to help you with your concerns. There may even be time for a bit of intervention where you get one strategy to work on. At this time, your therapist assesses if it makes sense to continue therapy together or if a particular therapist or clinician would be a better fit for your needs.
Last but not least, your therapist decides how frequently to meet, and you can subsequently set up your next appointment.
Don’t hesitate to ask any unanswered questions to your therapist at the end of the session or write down any questions that come up so you remember to ask at the next session. It’s important to feel like your questions, concerns, and goals are heard as therapy is a collaborative effort to support your path to well-being.
Contact Us
Ready to take the next step for your well-being? Chester County Well-Being (CCWB) provides a range of mental health services to ensure we meet our community’s needs. We serve individuals, couples, and families in the Chester County area; telepsychology services available as well. Reach out to us here.
You can learn more about self-care, self-compassion, and mental health insights by following us on Facebook and Instagram.
Our specializations include:
- Therapy for Depression and Anxiety
- Couples Counseling
- Family Counseling
- Parenting Support
- Grief Counseling
- Work and Career issues
- Stress Management
- Addiction & Recovery
- Conflict Resolution
Disclaimer:
The contents of this blog does not constitute a clinical relationship or replace the need for professional services.
About the Author
Malynn Kuangparichat (Psy.D., J.D.) is founder and psychologist at Chester County Well-Being. Her areas of interests include depression, anxiety, interpersonal dynamics, grief and loss, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, and end-of-life issues.
She has a collaborative approach that results in highly tailored evaluations intended to meet her clients’ unique needs. She focuses on an individual’s strengths, which are integrated in the practical, personalized recommendations. In her free time, she enjoys running, swimming, and spending time with family and friends.