My basic fee is $100 per 50-minute session discounted to $90. The standard fee for my degree and many years of experience is $120 or more. But, to keep the fee down, I use my home as my office.

We usually spend 60 minutes together per session, but I can only promise 50 minutes. (Actually, the 50-minute hour is the standard time for counseling sessions.)

Insurance may help with the cost. My policy is that insurance reimburse you after you pay us. (You get reimbursed much faster than we get paid.) I pay a billing specialist to bill your insurance for you, since she knows the insurance system and the games the insurance companies play to keep from paying.

You need to check yourself to find out if your insurance will pay. Phone them and ask if they will cover an "out-of-network Licensed Clinical Social Worker".)

You do not need to check on Medicare. They will help with the cost.

People usually pay their bill in full as they come, or monthly. However, because I want to be available to some whose income does not allow keeping up with their bill,I allow a few people to pay over time. This is at no interest if payments are made without my having to send bills. After missing a month, a bill will be sent with an additional $10 billing fee.

** We understand the need to keep medical costs down, but HMOs could do this in a way that allow people to choose someone with whom they feel comfortable or someone with years of experience.  Often the choices given you by your HMO are inadequate to meet your needs. That is what we don't like about HMOs – they severely limit choice in picking the person you are going to trust with your personal feelings and secrets. Choosing a therapist is not like buying a pack of gum at a convenience store!