Choosing a therapist is a personal decision, and the way you pay for care can shape the experience as much as the therapist you choose. At Midtown Psychology, Dr. Cara Remmes works as a Private Pay Therapist, which means treatment is guided by your goals and the research, not by insurance requirements. Below, we answer common questions about what that means for you and your family.
What is a private pay therapist, and how do they differ from in-network clinicians?
A Private Pay Therapist is a licensed mental health professional who does not hold contracts with insurance companies and is paid directly by clients. In-network clinicians, by contrast, agree to an insurer’s rates and rules in exchange for being listed as a covered provider. That agreement often comes with requirements around diagnoses, session limits, and approval for continued care.
Dr. Remmes is not in-network with any insurance providers. Clients pay for sessions directly, and she provides superbills after sessions that can be submitted for out-of-network reimbursement. This gives you access to specialized care while still leaving the door open to recover part of the cost through your insurance plan.
Why do some therapists choose to be private pay only?
Many therapists choose to be private pay only so they can focus on delivering the best possible care rather than managing insurance paperwork and restrictions. Without an insurer deciding how many sessions are approved or which treatments qualify, clinicians can follow what the research supports and what each client actually needs.
Private pay also allows therapists to invest in advanced training and specialized treatment methods. At Midtown Psychology, that includes approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), SPACE, and Habit Reversal Training, as well as comprehensive psychoeducational, neuropsychological, and autism assessments.
How much does it typically cost to work with a private pay therapist?
The cost of working with a Private Pay Therapist depends on the clinician’s level of training, specialty, and the type of service provided. In New York City, sessions with a licensed psychologist commonly range from about $200 to $400 or more. Specialized services like assessments are usually priced separately because they involve testing, scoring, and a detailed written report.
Your actual out-of-pocket cost may be lower once you factor in out-of-network reimbursement and HSA or FSA funds. We encourage you to contact your insurance company to ask about your out-of-network mental health benefits. We’re happy to share our current rates during a free 15-minute consultation.
What are the benefits of working with a private pay therapist over one who accepts insurance?
The biggest benefit of working with a Private Pay Therapist is care that is fully personalized to you. Treatment length, session frequency, and therapeutic approach are decided collaboratively between you and your therapist, with no outside approval required. This fits naturally with our strengths-based, transparent approach at Midtown Psychology, where clients play an active role in their therapy.
Private pay also offers greater privacy. Insurance companies require a diagnosis to cover treatment and may request records to approve ongoing care. When you pay privately, no information is shared with your insurer unless you choose to submit a superbill for reimbursement.
Do private pay therapists have more availability or flexibility in scheduling?
Private pay therapists often have more flexibility because their schedules aren’t shaped by insurance-driven caseloads. That can mean shorter wait times to begin care and more consistent appointment times once you start.
At Midtown Psychology, we understand that life can be busy, and we aim to reduce barriers to treatment. We offer in-person sessions at our office on West 58th Street, as well as telehealth for clients in New York, New Jersey, and Florida. Evening and weekend appointments are also available to fit around school and work schedules.
Can a private pay therapist still work with more complex or specialized concerns?
Yes. In fact, many people seek out a Private Pay Therapist specifically because they need specialized expertise that can be hard to find within an insurance network. Dr. Remmes specializes in treating anxiety in children, adolescents, and adults, and has extensive experience supporting teens and young adults facing demanding school and work environments.
Our team also works with tics and Tourette syndrome, disruptive behaviors, depression, work and career stress, and autism, and we are proud to be a neurodiversity-affirming practice. Dr. Remmes is especially knowledgeable in working with intellectually gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) individuals. Treatment is always grounded in evidence-based methods, such as CBT, which has strong research support for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
How do I verify a private pay therapist’s credentials and experience?
You can verify a Private Pay Therapist’s credentials the same way you would for any clinician. In New York, you can confirm that a psychologist holds an active license through the New York State Education Department’s Office of the Professions online license lookup. Checking a therapist’s degree, training background, and areas of specialization on their website is also a good starting point.
We also recommend asking questions directly. A free consultation is a great time to ask about a therapist’s training, the treatments they use, and their experience with concerns like yours. At Midtown Psychology, we welcome these conversations and are always transparent about our approach to care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Many private pay therapists provide superbills, which are detailed receipts that include the information insurers need to process an out-of-network claim. Dr. Remmes provides superbills following sessions that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.
Some private pay therapists offer package rates, sliding scale fees, or reduced rates for certain services, though this varies by practice. If cost is a concern, reach out to our office to ask about current fee options.
Private pay describes how you pay: directly to your therapist rather than through an insurance contract. Out-of-network describes your insurance plan’s relationship to that therapist. Because a private pay therapist isn’t contracted with your insurer, they are considered out-of-network, and you may be able to use your out-of-network benefits for partial reimbursement.
Yes. Private pay therapists must meet the same state licensing requirements as in-network providers, including education, supervised clinical experience, and licensing exams. Whether a therapist accepts insurance has no effect on their licensure or qualifications.
Choosing a therapist is a personal decision, and the way you pay for care can shape the experience as much as the therapist you choose. At Midtown Psychology, Dr. Cara Remmes works as a Private Pay Therapist, which means treatment is guided by your goals and the research, not by insurance requirements. Below, we answer common questions about what that means for you and your family.
What is a private pay therapist, and how do they differ from in-network clinicians?
A Private Pay Therapist is a licensed mental health professional who does not hold contracts with insurance companies and is paid directly by clients. In-network clinicians, by contrast, agree to an insurer’s rates and rules in exchange for being listed as a covered provider. That agreement often comes with requirements around diagnoses, session limits, and approval for continued care.
Dr. Remmes is not in-network with any insurance providers. Clients pay for sessions directly, and she provides superbills after sessions that can be submitted for out-of-network reimbursement. This gives you access to specialized care while still leaving the door open to recover part of the cost through your insurance plan.
Why do some therapists choose to be private pay only?
Many therapists choose to be private pay only so they can focus on delivering the best possible care rather than managing insurance paperwork and restrictions. Without an insurer deciding how many sessions are approved or which treatments qualify, clinicians can follow what the research supports and what each client actually needs.
Private pay also allows therapists to invest in advanced training and specialized treatment methods. At Midtown Psychology, that includes approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), SPACE, and Habit Reversal Training, as well as comprehensive psychoeducational, neuropsychological, and autism assessments.
How much does it typically cost to work with a private pay therapist?
The cost of working with a Private Pay Therapist depends on the clinician’s level of training, specialty, and the type of service provided. In New York City, sessions with a licensed psychologist commonly range from about $200 to $400 or more. Specialized services like assessments are usually priced separately because they involve testing, scoring, and a detailed written report.
Your actual out-of-pocket cost may be lower once you factor in out-of-network reimbursement and HSA or FSA funds. We encourage you to contact your insurance company to ask about your out-of-network mental health benefits. We’re happy to share our current rates during a free 15-minute consultation.
What are the benefits of working with a private pay therapist over one who accepts insurance?
The biggest benefit of working with a Private Pay Therapist is care that is fully personalized to you. Treatment length, session frequency, and therapeutic approach are decided collaboratively between you and your therapist, with no outside approval required. This fits naturally with our strengths-based, transparent approach at Midtown Psychology, where clients play an active role in their therapy.
Private pay also offers greater privacy. Insurance companies require a diagnosis to cover treatment and may request records to approve ongoing care. When you pay privately, no information is shared with your insurer unless you choose to submit a superbill for reimbursement.
Do private pay therapists have more availability or flexibility in scheduling?
Private pay therapists often have more flexibility because their schedules aren’t shaped by insurance-driven caseloads. That can mean shorter wait times to begin care and more consistent appointment times once you start.
At Midtown Psychology, we understand that life can be busy, and we aim to reduce barriers to treatment. We offer in-person sessions at our office on West 58th Street, as well as telehealth for clients in New York, New Jersey, and Florida. Evening and weekend appointments are also available to fit around school and work schedules.
Can a private pay therapist still work with more complex or specialized concerns?
Yes. In fact, many people seek out a Private Pay Therapist specifically because they need specialized expertise that can be hard to find within an insurance network. Dr. Remmes specializes in treating anxiety in children, adolescents, and adults, and has extensive experience supporting teens and young adults facing demanding school and work environments.
Our team also works with tics and Tourette syndrome, disruptive behaviors, depression, work and career stress, and autism, and we are proud to be a neurodiversity-affirming practice. Dr. Remmes is especially knowledgeable in working with intellectually gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) individuals. Treatment is always grounded in evidence-based methods, such as CBT, which has strong research support for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
How do I verify a private pay therapist’s credentials and experience?
You can verify a Private Pay Therapist’s credentials the same way you would for any clinician. In New York, you can confirm that a psychologist holds an active license through the New York State Education Department’s Office of the Professions online license lookup. Checking a therapist’s degree, training background, and areas of specialization on their website is also a good starting point.
We also recommend asking questions directly. A free consultation is a great time to ask about a therapist’s training, the treatments they use, and their experience with concerns like yours. At Midtown Psychology, we welcome these conversations and are always transparent about our approach to care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Many private pay therapists provide superbills, which are detailed receipts that include the information insurers need to process an out-of-network claim. Dr. Remmes provides superbills following sessions that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.
Some private pay therapists offer package rates, sliding scale fees, or reduced rates for certain services, though this varies by practice. If cost is a concern, reach out to our office to ask about current fee options.
Private pay describes how you pay: directly to your therapist rather than through an insurance contract. Out-of-network describes your insurance plan’s relationship to that therapist. Because a private pay therapist isn’t contracted with your insurer, they are considered out-of-network, and you may be able to use your out-of-network benefits for partial reimbursement.
Yes. Private pay therapists must meet the same state licensing requirements as in-network providers, including education, supervised clinical experience, and licensing exams. Whether a therapist accepts insurance has no effect on their licensure or qualifications.