Our Philosophy
Couples therapy is an art form. Couples therapists have highly specialized and advanced training. Competent couples therapy is structured, well- paced, with clear goals and practice, and follows a cohesive and coherent model. It can not be rushed, squashed into 50 minute boxes, nor facilitated by clinicians who have not done specialized training in family/couples therapy.
While most national Centers specializing in Couples Therapy are entirely cash-based and do not accept any insurance plans, your accessibility to high level couples treatment remains a top concern for us. Although operating within a managed care system that is not in alignment with empirically validated research standards for couples is difficult, we have stayed networked with a few major insurers (BCBS, United/Optum) in the hopes of making these specialized services available to more clients.
Why 75 minute sessions?
Unlike individual therapy, which typically takes place in 50 minute sessions, couples therapy requires the time and space for each person to share their unique perspective, to practice skills live, with facilitation by the therapist, and requires time at the end of the session for containment so that partners don't leave the session feeling dysregulated.
The work that we do is based on empirically validated research on couples and what that research indicates is that sessions less than 75 minutes actually have a detrimental impact on couples' nervous systems.
Will my insurance company pay for my entire session at CCPV?
No. If we are networked with your insurance (BCBS or United/Optum), the 90847 code (couples or family therapy with the client present) will allow for up to 50-minutes of treatment and require that one partner be given a diagnostic label. Therefore, while technically both partners can be in the room, one of the partners, who has been given a psychiatric diagnosis, is the center of the treatment. This means that treatment of the couple must include treatment of the identified patient's diagnosis and this must be reflected in the therapist's notes.
Thus, if we are networked with your insurance, you will be covered for up to the first 50 minutes of treatment, subject to any co-pays and deductibles, and the rest of the session will carry an out of pocket cost.
I have an insurance you are not networked with but I have out of network benefits.
"Out of network benefits" indicates that while we are not networked with your insurance company, your plan does allow you to work with clinicians who are out of network and allows for some reimbursement towards those sessions. While we will not submit bills on your behalf to your insurance company, we are happy to provide you with a superbill for you to submit to your insurance company to seek reimbursement.
I have an insurance you don't take and I have no out of network benefits.
You would pay out of pocket for services. It is possible in some cases to request special Out of Network coverage if you have a managed care plan.
What is the out of pocket cost of sessions when we take your insurance?
Depending on the level of clinician you see, and the specifics of your plan (co-pay, any deductible), your out of pocket costs for 75 minute sessions can range from $160 to $100.
What is the cost of sessions when we do not take your insurance?
Fees depend on the level of licensure or experience of the clinician you see but the range is $260 to $200. Sliding scale due to economic hardship (unemployment, food scarcity) is available upon request.