Guiding You Toward Personal Growth, healing and transformation.

 We want to share perspectives so you can make an informed decision about your care and also understand why some therapists do choose to bill insurance for couples therapy.

1. Insurance Requires a Diagnosable Mental Health Disorder. Insurance is designed to cover the treatment of mental health conditions diagnosed in an individual. EFT couples therapy, however, is not about treating one person’s disorder—it’s about healing the relationship. In order to bill insurance, a therapist must assign a mental health diagnosis to one partner, even if neither actually has a diagnosable condition. The focus of the therapy would then be on the partner supporting the individual with the diagnosis. This is not couples therapy, this is individual therapy with partner support.This can create ethical concerns and impact the individual’s medical record in ways that may have long-term consequences.

2. A Diagnosis Can Have Lasting Consequences. If a therapist assigns a diagnosis solely to bill insurance, that diagnosis stays in the medical record. This could affect future insurance coverage, job applications, security clearances, or even legal matters such as child custody disputes.If a couple gets divorced, the diagnosed individual would be very vulnerable.  I believe in honest, transparent therapy that prioritizes my clients’ well-being, and I do not feel comfortable assigning a diagnosis when it is not clinically warranted.

3. EFT Focuses on Relationship Dynamics, not an individual diagnosis. EFT is a research-based, structured approach that focuses on attachment and emotional bonds between partners. It is not about labeling one person as “the problem” but rather understanding and shifting relationship patterns. Since insurance operates within a medical model that treats individuals, it does not align with the systemic, relational nature of EFT. Billing insurance forces us to frame the therapy as individual treatment, which is not true to the Couples work we do.

4. Insurance Can Dictate the Course of Therapy. When working privately, we have the freedom to follow the EFT model in a way that best serves your relationship. Insurance companies, however, may limit the number of sessions,limit the time in sessions, dictate which interventions I can use, or require unnecessary paperwork that takes time away from actual therapy. I want to focus on your needs, not an insurance company’s restrictions.

5. Confidentiality and Privacy Concerns.Insurance billing requires me to submit a diagnosis and they sometimes require treatment notes. This is unfair for the diagnosed person. This information becomes part of your permanent medical record and can be accessed by the insurance company and, in some cases, other entities. In couples therapy, this raises serious privacy concerns, as one partner’s diagnosis could be used in ways they did not anticipate. I want to create a safe, confidential space for you and your partner without these risks.

6. Understanding Why Some Therapists Do Bill Insurance. Some therapists do bill insurance for couples therapy, and I respect their choice. They may do so by diagnosing one partner who has a legitimate mental health condition (such as anxiety or depression) and structuring the therapy around their treatment. THIS IS NOT COUPLES THERAPY. In these cases, the focus of therapy is on the diagnosed individual, even though the partner is involved. Some therapists may truly believe this is ethical. It is a slippery slope.

7. Alternatives to Insurance Billing Rather than billing insurance, we offer options to make therapy more accessible: Private Pay – This allows us to focus fully on your relationship without insurance interference. Different rates for different clinicians. Short-Term Intensive Therapy – Some couples prefer to invest in short-term, focused therapy rather than ongoing weekly sessions. Conclusion, we are committed to providing ethical, effective EFT couples therapy that honors your relationship, protects your privacy, and allows for deep, lasting change. If you have any questions about my approach or need help navigating payment options, I’m happy to have that conversation with you. Our priority is supporting you and your partner in creating a stronger, healthier relationship—not working around insurance company restrictions. 

8. There are some rare insurance plans which cover Code Z63 Relational Distress. Please contact your insurance plan and ask them if they cover this code. If they do, let us know and we will work with you.