Midtown Psychology is a Private Pay Therapy Practice in the heart of Manhattan, offering evidence-based care for children, adolescents, adults, and parents. As a private pay practice, our team is free to build treatment around each client’s unique strengths and needs rather than around insurance rules. Here’s what that means for you and how our practice works from your first call onward.
What is a private pay therapy practice, and how does it operate differently from an insurance-based practice?
A Private Pay Therapy Practice is a mental health practice where clients pay directly for services instead of billing through insurance contracts. Insurance-based practices must follow each insurer’s guidelines for approved treatments, session frequency, and documentation, and they often dedicate significant time and staff to claims and authorizations.
At Midtown Psychology, Dr. Cara Remmes is not in-network with any insurance providers. Instead, our practice focuses its time and resources on client care. Clients pay for sessions directly and receive superbills that can be submitted to their insurance company for out-of-network reimbursement. This structure keeps treatment decisions where they belong: between you and your clinician.
Why might a therapy practice choose to be entirely private pay?
A practice may choose to be entirely private pay so every clinician on the team can offer the same high standard of personalized, research-based care. When insurance companies aren’t dictating which treatments are covered or how long therapy should last, a practice can build its services around what works best for clients.
Being private pay also allows a practice to invest in specialized training and offer services that are often limited within insurance networks. At Midtown Psychology, that includes parent coaching programs like PCIT and SPACE, children’s social skills groups, and comprehensive assessments, alongside individual therapy for anxiety, depression, tics, and more.
What are the advantages of working with a private pay therapy practice as a client?
The main advantage of a Private Pay Therapy Practice is care that is collaborative, flexible, and fully tailored to you. Your treatment plan is shaped by your goals, not by an insurer’s approval process, and you play an active role in every step of therapy.
Clients also benefit from added privacy, since no information is shared with an insurance company unless you choose to submit a superbill. Practically, private pay can mean shorter wait times and more scheduling options. At Midtown Psychology, we offer in-person and telehealth sessions for clients in New York, New Jersey, and Florida, with evening and weekend appointments available.
Do private pay therapy practices offer a wider range of specialties or treatment modalities?
Many private pay practices offer a broader range of specialized treatments, because clinicians are free to pursue advanced training and use the methods best suited to each client. Rather than being limited to what an insurer will cover, the practice can match treatment to the concern.
At Midtown Psychology, our specialized services include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Habit Reversal Training for tics and Tourette syndrome, Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and SPACE for parents of anxious children. We also offer psychoeducational and gifted assessments, neuropsychological assessments, and autism assessments. As a neurodiversity-affirming practice, we celebrate the unique abilities and perspectives of every client we work with.
How are rates determined at a private pay therapy practice?
Rates at a Private Pay Therapy Practice are typically based on the clinician’s training and experience, the type of service, the length of the session, and the local market. Specialized services, such as psychological assessments, are usually priced separately from therapy sessions because they include testing, scoring, interpretation, and a written report.
In New York City, private pay therapy sessions with a licensed psychologist commonly range from about $200 to $400 or more. We believe in being transparent about cost, so we’re happy to walk you through our current rates during your free 15-minute consultation before you commit to anything.
Can a private pay therapy practice help clients seek reimbursement from their insurance?
Yes. While a private pay practice doesn’t bill insurance directly, it can provide the documentation you need to seek reimbursement on your own. Dr. Remmes provides superbills following sessions, which you can submit to your insurance company for out-of-network reimbursement.
Before starting, we encourage you to call your insurance company and ask about your out-of-network mental health benefits, including your deductible, reimbursement percentage, and any limits on covered sessions. Many clients also use HSA or FSA funds to help cover the cost of care.
What should I expect during intake at a private pay therapy practice?
At Midtown Psychology, getting started is simple. First, you’ll request a free 15-minute consultation by completing our contact form or calling our office, and our staff will reach out within 1 to 3 business days. The consultation is a chance to share what’s bringing you to therapy, ask questions, and learn more about working with us.
From there, you’ll schedule an initial intake appointment. During intake, your clinician takes time to understand both your areas of difficulty and your unique resiliency factors. Together, you’ll develop a personalized treatment plan, and as therapy progresses, you’ll build strategies to use outside of sessions and maintain your progress after treatment ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some private pay practices set aside a limited number of reduced-fee or sliding scale spots, though availability varies and often depends on clinician caseloads. If cost is a concern, please contact our office to ask about current fee options.
Yes, you can usually request a specific clinician. Availability may vary, but sharing your preferences during your consultation helps us match you with the team member best suited to your needs and schedule.
Most private pay practices accept major credit and debit cards, and many accept HSA and FSA cards as well. Payment is typically collected through a secure client portal. Reach out to our office to confirm the payment options available at Midtown Psychology.
Most private pay practices have a cancellation policy that requires advance notice, often 24 to 48 hours, to avoid a late cancellation fee. Because your appointment time is reserved just for you, these policies help keep scheduling fair for all clients. Please contact our office for Midtown Psychology’s specific cancellation policy.