Rates & Insurance

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Aspire Counseling is Out of Network with your insurance company

At this time, Aspire Counseling therapists do not work directly with insurance companies, though some insurance companies will reimburse our clients a portion of what they pay for counseling services. Many of our clients use our billing system to automatically submit for reimbursement and are reimbursed significant portions of what they pay for their care.

At Aspire Counseling, we believe you should understand the cost of therapy before making a commitment. Before scheduling, our Client Care team will explain your therapist's rates, discuss our private-pay model, and offer to help you estimate possible out-of-network insurance reimbursement through Thrizer.

We provide a written Good Faith Estimate through our secure client portal when you schedule care. You can also request a Good Faith Estimate before scheduling an appointment by contacting us at 573-328-2288.Learn more about the “No Surprises Act” and your rights here.

How Payments Work at Aspire Counseling

Aspire Counseling is an out-of-network practice in Columbia and Lee's Summit, Missouri. We don't bill insurance companies directly — but many of our clients use their out-of-network benefits to get a significant portion of their therapy costs reimbursed.

Here's the short version of how it works:

  • You pay us directly at the time of each session.

  • If your insurance plan includes out-of-network mental health benefits, you may be reimbursed 40–70% of your session fees after meeting your out-of-network deductible.

  • We partner with Thrizer to make the reimbursement process simple — no stacks of paperwork, no confusing insurance portals.

  • Every new client receives a Good Faith Estimate before treatment begins, in line with the No Surprises Act.

We know cost is one of the biggest concerns people have when starting therapy, and we believe you deserve complete transparency. If you want a deeper dive into the real cost of therapy and why we structure things the way we do, we wrote a whole post about it: Why Is Therapy So Expensive?

What We Charge

Session Fees

Our licensed and provisionally licensed therapists charge between $100–$180 for a standard 45–60 minute therapy session. Your specific rate depends on your therapist's licensure level, experience, and the type of therapy they provide.

Here's a general breakdown:

Fully licensed therapists (LCSW, LPC) — highest end of our range. These clinicians are most likely to qualify for out-of-network insurance reimbursement.

Provisionally licensed therapists (LMSW, PLPC) — mid-range. These clinicians are supervised by fully licensed therapists. They are sometimes reimbursable through out-of-network benefits, but it varies by plan — less consistently than fully licensed clinicians.

Student interns (supervised) — reduced rate below our standard range. Student interns provide therapy under close clinical supervision and offer a more affordable entry point for clients. However, insurance companies typically do not reimburse for sessions with student interns, even out-of-network.

Before you start therapy, our Client Care team will talk you through the specific rates for the therapist you're matched with and send you a Good Faith Estimate so you know exactly what to expect.

Comprehensive DBT Fees

Our comprehensive DBT program has its own rates: $175 for an individual DBT session (53 to 60 minutes) and $150 for the weekly two hour skills group. Phone coaching and your therapist’s weekly consultation team are included. Most clients attend one of each per week.

DBT costs more than a standard session because your therapist’s work doesn’t stop when your session ends. They meet with the consultation team every week for two hours, they’re available for skills coaching between sessions, and the skills group runs two hours with two leaders, the way the treatment was studied. We considered a separate program fee to cover that work and decided against it. Insurance plans will often reimburse a session or a group, but almost never a program fee, so building it into the session rates gives you a better chance of getting money back when you choose for our billing system to submit your information to your insurance for potential out of network reimbusement..

We set these rates using what Minnesota’s Medicaid program pays certified DBT providers: $160 to $178 for an hour of individual DBT and $145 to $162 for a two hour skills group. [Learn more about our DBT program →]

Using Your Out-of-Network Benefits Through Thrizer

At Aspire Counseling, we believe therapy should be as accessible as possible, and that you deserve choices about how you pay for your care.

We partner with Thrizer to make it easier for clients to use their out-of-network insurance benefits without having to manage claims and reimbursement paperwork themselves.

In November 2026, Thrizer increased its fees in response to changes in the insurance reimbursement landscape. We know that even small additional costs can add up when you're attending therapy regularly. So, rather than simply passing those increases along to our clients, we worked directly with Thrizer to negotiate lower fees and made the decision to absorb a significant portion of the remaining costs ourselves.

Options for if and how you can use your Out of Network Insurance Benefits at Aspire:

  • Private Pay: Prefer to keep your therapy completely separate from your insurance? That's absolutely fine. We won't submit claims to your insurance company on your behalf.

  • Out-of-Network Reimbursement: Want to use your insurance benefits? Thrizer can automatically submit claims after your appointments, so you don't have to manage the paperwork. Aspire covers the standard claim submission fee, making it easier for you to receive any reimbursement you're eligible for without an additional per-claim charge.

  • Instant Reimbursement (formerly Thrizer Pay): For clients who qualify, Thrizer offers the option to receive their estimated insurance reimbursement up front, rather than waiting weeks or even months for their insurance company to process a claim. We know this can regular therapy much easier on our clients financially, especially when you've met your deductible but still need to manage other expenses. While Aspire absorbs many of Thrizer's other fees, the cost of this particular service is more than we're able to cover. Thrizer charges an additional $15 per claim for Instant Reimbursement, which is passed along to clients who choose this option.

Starting in 2027, we plan to introduce a small billing and benefits fee of approximately $2.50 per session, regardless of whether you choose private pay or standard out-of-network reimbursement. This helps cover a portion of our payment processing and reimbursement support costs while allowing us to continue absorbing the standard claim submission fees.

We want as many clients as possible to be able to use their out-of-network benefits without jumping through hoops. And we also respect that some people prefer to pay privately without involving their insurance at all. Neither choice is better than the other. Our goal is to make both options straightforward, transparent, and as affordable as we reasonably can.

What Could Out-of-Network Reimbursement Actually Look Like?

You might be surprised how much of your therapy costs your insurance will reimburse, even when your therapist is out of network.

The amount varies quite a bit depending on your insurance plan, whether you've met your deductible, and how your plan calculates reimbursement. Some clients receive a relatively small amount back, while others receive the majority of their session fee.

Here's a hypothetical example of what this could look like:

Let's say your therapy session costs $140, and your insurance plan reimburses $85 per session after you've met your deductible.

  • With standard out-of-network reimbursement: You pay the $140 session fee, and Thrizer submits your claim automatically. If your insurance processes the claim as expected, you receive $85 back, bringing your eventual cost to $55, plus Aspire's small billing and benefits fee.

  • With Instant Reimbursement (formerly Thrizer Pay): If you're eligible and Thrizer approves an estimated $85 reimbursement, you may only need to pay $55 toward the session upfront, plus the $15 Instant Reimbursement fee and Aspire's standard billing and benefits fee. You don't have to wait for your insurance company to send your reimbursement.

Of course, everyone's insurance is different. Some plans reimburse much less, some reimburse more, and some don't offer out-of-network benefits at all. Your deductible and your plan's allowed amount also affect what you'll receive.

Before scheduling, our Client Care team can help you use Thrizer to estimate what your particular insurance plan may reimburse, so you can make an informed decision about whether to use your benefits.

Our goal is to make it easier for you to access the therapy you need without unnecessary surprises about what it will cost.

Even With a High Deductible, It's Often Worth Submitting Claims

We know finances are tight for a lot of people right now. The cost of almost everything seems to be going up, and when families have to make difficult financial decisions, therapy is sometimes one of the first things they consider cutting.

We understand that. We feel those rising costs as a business, too.

But we also believe that high-quality mental health care can make a meaningful difference in people's lives. When anxiety, trauma, or other mental health struggles become more manageable, that can affect so much more than how you feel. It can affect your relationships, your work, your confidence, and your ability to enjoy your life. That's why we're committed to providing evidence-based treatment that actually helps people get better. And it's also why we work so hard to make using out-of-network insurance benefits as easy as possible.

Even if you haven't met your out-of-network deductible, submitting claims may still be worth it.

We get it. Some deductibles are really high, and it can feel pointless to submit claims when you aren't receiving reimbursement yet. But there are a few things worth considering.

Your out-of-network deductible may already be partially met through other services, like visits to a private psychiatrist, certain medical specialists, or out-of-network lab work. And even when insurance isn't reimbursing you yet, submitting eligible claims may help you work toward meeting that deductible.

If you need additional out-of-network care later in the year, you may be closer to meeting your deductible than you realized. Just remember that insurance plans vary, and some count only the insurer's allowed amount toward the deductible rather than the full amount you paid.

We've seen firsthand how much out-of-network benefits can help. Some Aspire clients receive a relatively small amount back per session, while others receive $60, $80, or even more than $100 per session once their deductible has been met. Those are illustrative amounts based on our experience, not guaranteed or typical reimbursement amounts. Every insurance plan is different but for many of our clients this makes out of network therapy a much more realistic option.

And because we know additional fees can become another barrier, Aspire has worked with Thrizer to negotiate lower costs and absorb the standard claim submission fees ourselves. We want getting reimbursed to be as straightforward as possible.

For clients who qualify and need help managing the upfront cost, Thrizer also offers Instant Reimbursement (formerly Thrizer Pay). There is an additional $15 fee per claim, but this option can make it possible to continue therapy without paying the full session fee while waiting for reimbursement.

Of course, we also completely respect clients who prefer not to involve their insurance at all. You always have the option to pay privately without having claims submitted on your behalf.

We can't make therapy free, and we can't control what insurance companies reimburse. But we can do everything reasonably within our control to provide excellent treatment, be transparent about costs, and help people access the benefits they're entitled to.

Why We Don't Bill Insurance Directly

We've been an out-of-network practice since we opened our Columbia, MO office in 2017. This isn't because we want to make therapy less accessible — it's a deliberate, client-centered choice that allows us to provide the kind of care we believe you deserve.

  • When therapists bill insurance directly, they're required to share diagnostic information, treatment details, and clinical notes with your insurance company. That information then lives in insurance databases and can be accessed in ways you might not expect — including during federal background checks, certain professional licensing processes, and more.

    At Aspire, what happens in your therapy sessions stays between you and your therapist. We believe a diagnosis should serve your treatment — not an insurance company's billing requirements. And while many of our clients do have diagnosable conditions that we take seriously and treat effectively, we don't believe everyone who benefits from therapy needs a label on their permanent medical record.

  • Some people come to us specifically because they don't want their insurance company to know they're in therapy. Maybe they're in a profession where a mental health diagnosis could create complications. Maybe they simply value the privacy. Whatever the reason, we completely support that choice. Being out-of-network means you always have the option to keep therapy entirely between you and your therapist — no claims submitted, no diagnosis sent to insurance, no paper trail. That's your call, and we respect it fully.

  • Insurance companies can dictate the number of sessions you're approved for, how long those sessions can be, and what type of treatment is covered. That means someone who has never met you — sitting in an office in another state — gets to decide whether you "need" more therapy.

    At Aspire, you and your therapist decide what your care looks like. If you need 60-minute sessions instead of 45, you've got them. If something happens mid-week and you need an extra appointment, you schedule one. If you need to shift focus because your life circumstances changed, your therapist adjusts on the spot. This flexibility is especially important for our clients in trauma therapy, where longer and more frequent sessions are often what makes treatment work.

  • When practices bill insurance, clinicians spend hours every week on claim submissions, prior authorizations, appeals, and documentation that exists solely for the insurance company's benefit. That's time they're not spending on your care.

    Because we don't bill insurance, our therapists can invest that time in clinical consultation with colleagues, continuing education, researching new approaches for your specific situation, and the measurement-based tools that help us track whether your treatment is actually working. It's a direct investment in the quality of care you receive.

  • If you change jobs, your spouse's employer switches insurance carriers, or your plan changes at open enrollment, your therapy doesn't skip a beat. Because we're not tied to any insurance network, you keep your therapist regardless of what's happening with your coverage. For clients in the middle of trauma processing or other intensive work, that continuity can make a real difference.

Counseling Is an Investment — and We Believe You're Worth It

Think for a moment about what your life will look like when therapy is working. When the anxiety quiets down. When the trauma stops running the show. When you feel clear about what you want and confident in your ability to handle what comes next. Our clients regularly tell us that the return on their investment in therapy shows up in their relationships, their work, their physical health, and their overall quality of life.

We understand that therapy is a significant financial commitment. That's why we're transparent about our costs, we partner with Thrizer to help you access your benefits, and we accept HSA and FSA cards. We also have a limited number of reduced-rate slots available — if cost is a barrier, please ask. We'd rather have a conversation about it than have you not get the help you need.

Questions to Ask Your Insurance Company Before Starting Therapy

We recommend calling the number on the back of your insurance card before your first appointment. Here are the questions that matter most:

The Quick Version (Start Here)

  1. Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?

  2. What is my out-of-network deductible and how much have I met this year?

  3. After my deductible, what percentage do you reimburse for out-of-network psychotherapy?

  4. Will you reimburse for a provisionally licensed therapist (LMSW or PLPC) or a student intern under supervision?

The Full List (If You Want All the Details)

  • Do I have a separate out-of-network deductible, or is it combined with my in-network deductible?

  • Do I need preauthorization to be reimbursed for out-of-network mental health services? If so, what's the process?

  • What is the allowed amount and what percentage of the allowed amount will be covered after I've met my deductible?

  • Are specific diagnoses required for reimbursement?

  • Does my plan limit how many therapy sessions per calendar year I can have?

  • Do I need written approval from my primary care physician?

  • Does my plan reimburse for telehealth sessions provided by out-of-network clinicians in Missouri?

  • How do I submit claims, and how long does reimbursement typically take?

Pro tip: Ask for a reference number and the name of the person you speak with. Insurance reps sometimes give incorrect information, and having documentation helps if you need to follow up.

If your insurance company tells you that certain diagnoses aren't reimbursed, or that they won't reimburse for a provisionally licensed clinician (PLPC or LMSW) or student intern, please let us know before your first session so we can plan accordingly and make sure you're matched with the right clinician.

Payment Methods

We accept all major credit and debit cards, Health Savings Account (HSA) cards, Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards, cash, and checks (payable to Aspire Counseling). Payment is expected at the time of service.

Cancellation Policy

If you need to cancel or reschedule, please give us at least 24 hours' notice. Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice and all no-show appointments will be charged the full session rate.

We understand that life happens. But a cancelled appointment affects three people: you, your therapist, and another client who could have used that time slot. If you're curious about the reasoning behind this policy (and why it actually supports your progress in therapy), we wrote about it here: The Reason Therapists Charge for Unattended Therapy Sessions

Questions About Cost? We're Happy to Talk.

Figuring out insurance and therapy costs can feel overwhelming — especially when you're already dealing with the stress that brought you to therapy in the first place. Our Client Care team is happy to walk you through how our fees work, help you understand your out-of-network benefits, and explain how Thrizer can make reimbursement simple.

You don't need to have it all figured out before you reach out. That's what we're here for.

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Frequently Asked Fees About Rates & Insurance

  • We are an out-of-network practice, which means we don't bill insurance directly. However, if your insurance plan includes out-of-network mental health benefits, you can get reimbursed for a portion of what you pay. We partner with Thrizer to make the reimbursement process easy. Most of our clients with out-of-network benefits receive 40–70% of their session fees back after meeting their deductible.

  • It means we don't have a contract with your insurance company. You pay us directly for each session. If your plan has out-of-network benefits, your insurance may reimburse you for part of the cost after you've met your out-of-network deductible. Many insurance plans — especially PPO plans — include out-of-network benefits.

  • Thrizer is a tool we partner with to handle the insurance reimbursement process for our clients. Depending on which option you choose, Thrizer can automatically submit claims on your behalf so you get reimbursed, or even let you pay a reduced amount per session after you've met your deductible. They charge small fees for their services — visit thrizer.com/pricing for current details.

  • Sessions with licensed and provisionally licensed therapists range from $100–$170 depending on your therapist's licensure, experience, and the type of therapy they provide. Sessions with student interns are available at a reduced rate below our standard range. We also charge a small monthly assessment fee for the standardized tools we use to measure your progress. All new clients receive a Good Faith Estimate before starting treatment.

  • It depends on your plan. Fully licensed therapists (LCSW, LPC) are most likely to be reimbursed out-of-network. Provisionally licensed therapists (LMSW, PLPC) are sometimes reimbursable, but it's less consistent. Student interns are typically not reimbursable by insurance. We recommend calling your insurance to ask before your first appointment.

  • Yes. We accept Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards as payment for therapy sessions.

  • Under the No Surprises Act, healthcare providers are required to give patients who aren't using insurance an estimate of expected charges before treatment begins. We provide every new client with a Good Faith Estimate that details your therapist's rates and the anticipated cost of your care. Learn more about your rights here.

  • Yes. We have in-person offices in Columbia, MO and Lee's Summit, MO, and we offer telehealth therapy to anyone physically located anywhere in the state of Missouri. We also have therapists licensed in a few other states including Kansas, North Carolina & Illinois allowing us to see telehealth clients in those states.

  • Absolutely. Because we're out-of-network, you always have the option to pay out of pocket without submitting any claims to your insurance. No diagnosis is sent, no records are shared, and your insurance company has no involvement in your care. This is entirely your choice.

  • We have a limited number of reduced-rate slots available. If cost is a barrier to getting the help you need, we encourage you to reach out and ask. We can also offer you referrals. We'd rather have that conversation than have you go without support.