THERAPY COSTS & INSURANCE IN BALTIMORE, MD.
Know What to Expect Before You Begin.
Virtual Services Available Throughout Maryland & Pennsylvania.
Clear information about therapy fees, insurance, private pay, and out-of-network benefits at Create & Connect.
Your wellbeing is an investment, and we’re here to help make that process clear, flexible, and supportive.
Investing in your mental health is one of the most meaningful decisions you can make. We believe understanding your options should be simple and transparent. Below you'll find information about the services we offer, session fees, insurance participation, and payment options.
What Will Therapy Actually Cost?
Whichever option you choose, we want you to understand the cost before your first session.
The answer depends on how you choose to pay, your insurance plan, and the services you receive. We want to make those options as straightforward as possible so you can understand the financial side of therapy before deciding what feels right for you.
PRIVATE PAY
Pay the session fee directly without submitting services through insurance.
IN-NETWORK INSURANCE
Use your BCBS/CareFirst, TRICARE East, United Healthcare, and Cigna benefits when eligible.
OUT-OF-NETWORK BENEFITS
Pay for sessions directly and use a superbill to seek reimbursement from your insurance plan.
Therapy Fees & Payment Options
Clear costs. No guessing what you’ll owe.
We believe you should understand the cost of therapy before you begin. Your out-of-pocket cost will depend on whether you’re using insurance benefits or paying privately, but our full session fees are listed below so you know what to expect.
Initial Intake
Your first session gives us time to understand what brings you to therapy, explore relevant history at a pace that feels comfortable, discuss what you hope to gain from therapy, and begin shaping a plan for moving forward. There will also be time for questions about the therapy process, policies, or anything else you’d like clarified before we begin.
$200.00
60-Minute Session
Ongoing therapy sessions provide space to continue the work we begin together. Sessions may occur weekly, biweekly, or monthly depending on your needs, treatment goals, and the frequency you and your therapist determine is appropriate.
$185.00
45- Minute Session
A shorter therapy session that may be appropriate based on your treatment needs, goals, or schedule. Session length and frequency will be discussed with your therapist to determine what makes sense for your care.
$160.00
Specialty Services
Rates Vary
Some services may require additional time, preparation, materials, documentation, or a different session structure. Fees for specialty services will be discussed with you in advance so you know what to expect before scheduling.
Using Insurance for Therapy
Insurance Can Be One Way to Make Therapy More Accessible
If you choose to use insurance, your cost for therapy is determined by your individual plan and benefits. Depending on your coverage, you may be responsible for a copay, coinsurance, deductible, or another portion of the session fee.
We currently work with select insurance plans and also offer private-pay options for clients who do not have, or choose not to use, an in-network benefit.
In-Network Insurance
We are currently in-network with select insurance plans. Coverage varies by therapist, state, and individual policy, so we recommend confirming your benefits before beginning services.
Being in-network does not guarantee that services will be covered. Your individual plan determines eligibility, deductibles, copays, coinsurance, authorization requirements, and covered services.
We Are Currently INN With The Following
BCBS CareFirst Maryland
Highmark BCBS Pennsylvania (Casey)
Tricare East
United Healthcare
Cigna
Not In-Network With Us?
You may still be able to use your insurance benefits. Some plans include out-of-network mental health benefits, which may reimburse you for a portion of the cost after you pay for your session directly.
We can provide a superbill containing the information you may need to submit a reimbursement claim to your insurance company.
Limited Sliding Scale Fee slots available for those who do not have OON benefits.
Out-of-Network Doesn’t Always Mean You’re On Your Own
Understanding Your Out-of-Network Benefits
If we’re not in-network with your insurance plan, your policy may still help cover the cost of therapy through out-of-network benefits. These benefits allow you to choose a provider outside of your insurance network and potentially receive reimbursement for a portion of what you pay for therapy.
Every plan is different, so the amount you receive back, and whether you have out-of-network coverage at all, depends on your individual policy.
Attend Your Session
Meet with your therapist as usual and pay the private-pay rate at the time of service.
Step 1
Step 2
Receive a Superbill
We can provide a superbill with the information your insurance company may require when you request reimbursement.
Step 3
Submit to Insurance
You submit the superbill to your insurance company according to their out-of-network claim process.
Step 4
Receive Reimbursement
If your plan covers out-of-network therapy and applicable requirements have been met, your insurance company reimburses you directly based on the terms of your plan.
Not sure whether you have out-of-network benefits? We’ll cover what to ask your insurance company in the FAQs below.
More Choice
Finding someone who understands your experiences, specializes in what you’re looking for, and feels like someone you can actually talk to matters. Private pay gives you more freedom to choose your therapist based on fit, not just who happens to be in-network.
More Privacy
Maybe you’d simply prefer to keep therapy between you and your therapist. When you choose private pay, your sessions aren’t submitted to your insurance company for coverage, giving you more control over who receives information about your care.
More Flexibility
Not everything that brings someone to therapy fits neatly into a diagnosis. Maybe you’re burned out, navigating a transition, questioning what comes next, or simply don’t feel like yourself lately. Private pay gives you more flexibility to focus on what matters to you without your care being shaped by what insurance requires for coverage.
Using Insurance Isn’t the Only Way to Access Therapy
Why Private Pay Might Be Right For You!
You don’t have to choose private pay simply because it’s available. If we’re in-network with your insurance plan, there may be contractual requirements around how your services are billed. We can help clarify your payment options before you begin
Because Cost Is Part of the Conversation
Therapy is an investment of your time, energy, and finances. We recognize that paying the full session fee may not be realistic for everyone, especially when therapy becomes an ongoing part of your monthly expenses.
Learn More About No Surprises Act and our Good Faith Estimates
Frequently Asked Questions
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If you’re considering using out-of-network benefits, a few specific questions can make the conversation with your insurance company much easier. Ask:
Do I have out-of-network benefits for outpatient mental health services?
Do I have an out-of-network deductible, and how much of it have I met?
Once my deductible is met, what percentage or amount will you reimburse?
Is reimbursement based on my therapist’s fee or your plan’s allowed amount?
Do I need a referral or prior authorization?
How do I submit a claim for reimbursement?
It can also be helpful to write down the representative’s name and a reference number for the call.
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A superbill is a document we can provide that includes information about the therapy services you received, such as dates of service, fees, diagnostic and service codes, and provider information.
If your plan includes out-of-network benefits, you can submit the superbill to your insurance company to request reimbursement. A superbill does not guarantee that your insurance company will reimburse you.
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Not necessarily. Insurance companies may calculate reimbursement based on their own allowed amount, rather than the amount you actually paid for therapy. You may also need to meet an out-of-network deductible before your plan begins reimbursing you.
For example, “50% reimbursement” does not automatically mean you would receive $87.50 back from a $175 session. Your insurance company can tell you how reimbursement is calculated under your specific plan.
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Mental health treatment is generally an eligible medical expense for HSA and FSA funds, and many clients use these accounts to pay for therapy. Because individual plans can vary, check with your HSA/FSA administrator if you have questions about your specific account or eligible expenses.
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Yes. You may choose not to use your insurance benefits and pay privately for therapy. When we are in-network with your insurance plan, this generally requires completing an insurance opt-out form confirming that you are choosing not to have services submitted to your insurance.
We’ll review this with you before beginning services so you understand your payment options and what choosing to opt out means.
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Generally, insurance coverage for psychotherapy requires a diagnosable mental health condition and services that meet the plan's requirements for medical necessity. That doesn’t mean you need to arrive already knowing whether you have a diagnosis. Your therapist will assess what you’re experiencing and discuss diagnosis with you when applicable.
If you’re seeking therapy for concerns that may not meet your insurance plan’s requirements for coverage, or prefer not to submit your care to insurance, private pay may be another option.
Still Trying to Figure Out What Makes Sense for You?
You don’t need to understand every detail of your insurance plan before taking the next step. We can talk through our fees, payment options, and what you need to know before deciding whether to move forward.