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.

We provide new clients with a “Good Faith Estimate” in line with the No Surprises Act at the start of treatment. 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.

  • We charge a small monthly assessment fee for the tools we use to track your progress (more on that below).

  • 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–$170 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.

Monthly Assessment Fee

We charge a small monthly fee for the standardized assessments and progress-tracking tools we use throughout your treatment. This is part of our commitment to measurement-based care — using real data to see how your symptoms are changing over time so we can adjust your treatment when needed. (It's one of the reasons our outcomes are as strong as they are.)

What you should know: This assessment fee may or may not count toward your out-of-network deductible.

Using Your Out-of-Network Benefits Through Thrizer

We partner with Thrizer to take the headache out of using your out-of-network benefits. Thrizer gives you a few different options depending on what works best for your situation:

  • Submit claims automatically — Thrizer can submit your insurance claims for you after each session so you don't have to deal with superbills, insurance portals, or phone calls. Once you've met your out-of-network deductible, reimbursement goes directly to your bank account.

  • Pay less per session upfront — Thrizer also offers an option where, after you've met your deductible, you only pay your co-insurance amount at the time of your session instead of the full fee. Thrizer covers the rest and handles the insurance side.

  • Self-pay with no insurance involvement — You can also choose to pay Aspire directly without submitting any claims at all. If you'd like a superbill to submit on your own, we're happy to provide one.

Thrizer charges small fees for their services — visit Thrizer's pricing page for current details.

Most of our clients with out-of-network benefits receive roughly 40–70% of their session costs back once they've met their deductible. We can't guarantee a specific amount because every plan is different, but those numbers have been very consistent across our client base.

Our Client Care team can walk you through your options when you reach out to get started.

What this can look like:

If your session fee is $140 and your plan reimburses 60% of the allowed amount after your deductible, you could pay as little as ~$56 per session with Thrizer Pay instead of $140 upfront. Exact amounts depend on your specific plan.

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

A lot of people hear "out-of-network deductible" and assume it's not worth bothering with insurance. We get it — some deductibles are high. But here's something most people don't think about:

Your out-of-network deductible may already be partially met from other providers. Visits to a private psychiatrist, certain specialist appointments, some dermatologists, out-of-network lab work — all of these can count toward the same deductible depending on your plan.

We almost always recommend having Thrizer submit your claims even if you haven't met your deductible yet. That way, your insurance has a record of what you've already paid. If something else happens later in the year that requires out-of-network care, you'll be closer to (or past) your deductible than you think.

Most of our clients with out-of-network benefits receive roughly 40–70% of their session costs back once they've met their deductible. We can't guarantee a specific amount because every plan is different, but those numbers have been very consistent across our client base.

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.

  • We charge a small monthly fee for standardized progress assessments. Some insurance plans may apply this toward your out-of-network deductible, but in our experience, many do not.

  • 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.