You have probably been there.
You and your partner have decided something has to change in your relationship. It has been this way far too long and you or maybe even both of you, are not happy. You need help NOW!
So what type of Counselor should we hire and what do all those letters mean after their name? LCSW, LMFT or a LMHC. So you did the research and decided to contact a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) for marriage counseling/couples therapy. You know based on their title & credentials they have a degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and have specialized educational marriage/family training and experience to help couples and families.
The next thing heard is “How about we use those insurance benefits from work?”
You call Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists in the area and realize:
a) If you want to use insurance you found out that you and your partner won’t be seen for weeks, sometimes even months. Many other clients want to use their insurance benefits as well. But can you wait that long? Isn’t it critical to see a Licensed Marriage Therapist NOW? However if you are willing to wait, you are saving the out-of-pocket expense.
b) You also learn that insurance will not cover any part of the marriage/couples counseling cost unless one of you in the relationship is given a psychiatric mental illness diagnosis. Is that alright with you? The diagnosis could include “adjustment disorder, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder or something else.“ Your diagnosis will stay on your permanent medical record.
c) Confidentiality is limited. And your insurance company has permission to review those medical records, which includes your diagnosis and treatment.
d) You may also have limits on your sessions. Your insurance provide may decide about your frequency of sessions, the amount of time for each session and the total number of sessions with your Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist over a specific timeframe. Hopefully everything gets resolved by then.
e) Insurance companies only work with a specific number of Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists in each area. So do you want insurance to pick your Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (and the possible wait as noted above) or would you like to decide for yourself who to work with? Some Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists, like myself offer free phone consultations. It is a good way to find out if the clients and Therapist are a good fit for each other.
It is extremely important to read the fine print in your policy regarding marriage or couples counseling.
After reading above you decide self-pay is the best option for you and your partner and you want a Specialist like a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, I hope you would consider contacting me. The majority of my clients are couples.
I truly love helping couples reconnect, rebuild and plan a new life together!
I have appointments times on evenings and weekends. I also offer an economical rate and the ability to see you sooner than those Clinicians taking insurance. Payment can include Health Insurance Savings Account and credit cards. The office is located in the Trinity/New Port Richey area. Look forward to hearing you! 727-946-1346 www.TrinityRelationshipCenter.com
