Payment & Insurance

You’re Here Because Something Matters. Let’s Make the Cost Part Easy.

Most of our clients get back a significant portion of each session’s cost through their health insurance — and we handle the paperwork so you don’t have to.

50–80%
of each session’s cost reimbursed through most employer health plans
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What Therapy Actually Costs Most of Our Clients

If you have health insurance through a DC employer, there’s a good chance you’ll get back most of what you pay for each session.

Here’s How It Typically Works
Session Fee
$250
You pay at time of session
→
Insurance Pays You Back
$125–175
We file the claim for you
→
Your Actual Cost
$75–125
What you end up paying per session
Illustrative Example
Based on a mid-range session fee with typical reimbursement from DC-area employer plans. Your actual numbers will depend on your specific insurance plan and therapist.
About Deductibles
Most plans require you to spend a certain amount on your own first (your deductible) before reimbursement kicks in. Once you’ve met it, the math above applies for the rest of the year. Many of our clients meet their deductible within the first few months.

Choosing to work with a therapist is one of the most meaningful investments you can make — because the things that bring people here matter too much to leave unaddressed.

Ready to find your therapist? →

Why does reimbursement work this way? We’re an out-of-network practice, which means you pay for each session upfront and your insurance reimburses you afterward. It’s how most DC employer plans work with specialized providers — and most people have this coverage, even if they don’t realize it.

We Handle the Insurance Part

At most therapy practices, the insurance paperwork falls on you. We don’t think that’s a good experience — especially when you’re already dealing with something hard enough to seek help for.

At Most Practices
After each session, they hand you a receipt and it’s up to you to file it with your insurance
You have to figure out where and how to submit it — every insurance company is different
You wait weeks — sometimes months — and hope you did it correctly
If your claim is denied, you troubleshoot it on your own
At Therapy Group of DC
Our team files your claim directly with your insurance company after every session
We file electronically, which means fewer errors and faster processing
Your reimbursement arrives weeks sooner than if you’d filed yourself
You never touch a form — just show up for your session

We’ve been handling insurance claims on behalf of our clients for over ten years. It’s one of the small things that reflects how we think about care — the experience around therapy matters, not just the hour itself.

Current Session Rates

Our rates reflect the experience and advanced training of our clinical team. Your therapist’s specific fee is confirmed when you schedule.

Individual Therapy
$230–$300
45-minute session
Varies by therapist
Couples Therapy
$275–$310
50-minute session
Varies by therapist

Most clients get back 50–80% of these fees through their insurance — so your actual cost per session is typically much lower than the numbers above.

For context: Fair Health, the independent nonprofit used across the insurance industry to benchmark costs, puts a 45-minute individual therapy session in DC at $259 and a 50-minute couples session at $300.

Want Excellent Therapy at a Lower Cost?

For over a decade, our Capital Therapy Project has connected hundreds of individuals and couples with high-quality therapy at significantly reduced rates. It pairs you with advanced clinicians completing their doctoral training — supervised by our senior staff — at a fraction of our standard fees.

It’s one of Washington’s premier clinical training programs, and an excellent option if cost is a deciding factor for you.

One Quick Phone Call to Know Your Cost

There’s one thing we can’t do for you — insurance companies will only share your benefit details directly with you. But we can make that call as painless as possible. Here’s exactly what to say. Most people are done in five minutes.

1
Call Your Insurance Company
Flip your insurance card over and call the member services number. Let them know you have a question about your mental health benefits.
2
Ask If You’re Covered for a Therapist Outside Your Network
Not all plans cover therapists who aren’t in your insurance company’s network. Most employer plans in DC do — but it’s worth confirming.
Say this
“I’d like to verify whether my plan includes out-of-network benefits for outpatient mental health therapy.”
3
Find Out How Much You Need to Pay Before Coverage Kicks In
Most insurance plans require you to spend a certain amount on your own — called a “deductible” — before they start reimbursing you. Many of our clients meet this within the first few months, and then pay significantly less for the rest of the year.
Say this
“What is my out-of-network deductible for mental health, and how much of it have I met so far this year?”
4
Ask How Much They’ll Pay Per Session
This is the key question. Your insurance company sets its own rate for therapy sessions, and reimburses you a percentage of that rate. The answer tells you what you’ll actually get back each time.
Say this
“What is the allowed amount for CPT code 90834 with a licensed mental health provider, and what percentage do you reimburse after the deductible?”
If your insurance company asks what type of provider, let them know — your therapist may be a licensed psychologist, licensed professional counselor, or licensed clinical social worker. We’re happy to confirm your therapist’s credential type before you call.
For couples therapy, also ask about CPT code 90847. These codes are how insurance companies categorize different types of therapy sessions.
5
Do the Math — Or Let Us Help
Subtract what your insurance pays from the session fee, and that’s your real cost. If the numbers feel confusing, our team is happy to walk you through it before your first appointment — just ask.
A note about certain plan types: Some insurance plans don’t cover therapists outside their network. This typically includes HMO plans, TRICARE, Medicare, and Medicaid. If you’re not sure what type of plan you have, your insurance company can tell you when you call. We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, and HSA/FSA cards.
It All Starts with a Conversation

Still have questions about cost? Reach out — we’re happy to help.