Fees
What is your fee?
The hourly rate is the same whether it’s an individual, couple, or family session.
Regular Hourly Rate*
$200.00/hourThe first session is 90 minutes ($300.00).
Sessions are typically one hour (I provide a full 60-minute hour vs. the typical 45- 50-minute therapy "hour"). However, some sessions may be longer based on need. Additional session time is billed on the quarter-hour at the hourly rate. Sessions are billed per hour and not per session. So a 60-minute session would be $200, a 75-minute session would be $250, and a 90-minute session would be $300.
In-between phone, text, or email support is included at no extra charge unless the time required exceeds 30 minutes, at which time it is billed in 15-minute pro-rated increments.
Clergy pay is accepted.
Pre-paid hourly package discounts are available as follows:
5-Hour Package Discount*
$925 (Regularly $1,000. 7.5% discount. Save $75. Prepaid hourly rate is $185/hr vs $200/hr).*Use the hours when you need them.
**Package discounts do not apply to the first assessment session, which is full price.
***NOTE: Fees for pre-paid hours are non-refundable but do not expire and can be transferred to anyone you like if you choose not to use them or no longer need them.
10-Hour Package Discount* $1,800
$1,800 (Regularly $2,000. 10% discount. Save $200, which is one hour free. Prepaid hourly rate is $180/hr vs $200/hr).*Use the hours when you need them.
**Package discounts do not apply to the first assessment session, which is full price.
***NOTE: Fees for pre-paid hours are non-refundable but do not expire and can be transferred to anyone you like if you choose not to use them or no longer need them.
Note: These amounts assume hourly sessions. If you need more time for longer sessions, which is sometimes the case, you will be billed accordingly at the hourly rate, and I will honor the hourly discount amount associated with your package. Let me know if you have any questions. Thank you.
Payment forms accepted
Cash, card (debit, credit, HSA, flex/cafeteria plan), or Venmo (you can make payments online here), and third-party payments from clergy (e.g., bishop, pastor, etc.) or family. Third-party reimbursement (insurance) is sometimes as follows:
Insurance
I don’t take insurance. However, if you are in the same state as I am (UT), you can see if your insurance will reimburse you directly for out-of-network providers. If so, you pay out of pocket at the time of service, and you then seek reimbursement from your insurance company by submitting a billing statement for services rendered, called a superbill, to them.
How long will this take? I want to figure out how much this will cost.
As for timelines, while it’s a very fair question, as you can imagine, the answer varies wildly on so many variables–one’s readiness for change, how motivated and committed someone is to the work, the nature of the issues, their personality, their pace of change, etc… and at this point, there’s no way for me to gauge any of that without knowing you nor all the particulars yet. However, I do recommend people make a minimum 12-session commitment as the last thing we want to do is just start to get into things and then stop halfway in and then say, “Oh, I tried counseling, but it didn’t work,” which is like saying, “I went to the gym five times and didn’t lose 50 lbs. The gym didn’t work.” :-) I always say there’s no halfway jumping across a chasm. Twelve sessions isn’t a magic number, but it does give us 3-4 months of consistent work meetings every week or every other week that we can then track progress from our baseline, where we started, to where we are at the 6th and 12th session points. Some clients take less time, some more, and some much more. My work with my clients is outcome- and results-oriented, so it’s important that we do the right work the right way and long enough for it to take root so that it can then come to fruition.
That seems expensive. I’ve been to counseling before, where it was much cheaper. Why is that?
Short answer: You get what you pay for. Really.
Longer answer: At first glance, yes, it can seem expensive. However, there are usually much greater costs that are paid when we “cheap out” on our well-being. This is true with almost any product or service. Let me explain as follows:
Beware the high cost of low price.
What do I mean? You may think you’re paying more out of pocket for my services—that is, until you count the real cost.
You can definitely find cheaper services either through your insurance (if they’ll cover what you need and if they’ll let you work on what you want to work on in session) or through someone who takes a lower fee. Obviously, if what you’re doing is working, then no problem. However, if you are not getting tangible results, my question is: Is “cheaper” really saving you money?
Consider the cost of NO, or poor, results:
If you stay in counseling or coaching but you are getting minimal or no results, then your “cheaper” fees add up over time to be more than what you’d be paying for a results-driven process, with little to show for it.
What if it didn’t work with the first counselor? Understandably, you shop around and move on to the next… That is, unless you were so discouraged by the attempt that didn’t work that you stopped going to counseling and received no benefit at all. In both scenarios, you’re still out of the money you spent, again with little to show for your efforts.
Let’s say you find a counselor who will accept $75/hr, and you pay out of pocket. Let’s say you work with him or her for 12 sessions (3 months) = $900. Much less than $200/hr for 12 sessions with me, which equals $2,400. Now, if it worked, then that’s great. I’ll never argue against results. But what if it didn’t? You’re out the money and still stuck with the problems that brought you into counseling. Let’s say you go twice that many for 24 sessions (6 months). That’s $1,800. Maybe it’s working better now that you’ve stuck with it longer, which is great. Maybe it didn’t, which now seems a shame that all that money and time were spent with little to show for it… and the problems STILL exist, but now with less energy, interest, and motivation to continue working on it.
Also, consider the cost of what most people do when they drop out of counseling because they aren’t getting results. What direct and indirect costs are there to their couple and family relationships when the problem remains? What is the monetary value of the toll the unresolved problem has on the children and you, mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually?
There’s a reason you can find it cheaper elsewhere: Many counselors and coaches work from a scarcity model: “I have to see so many clients a week at X fee to make enough money to be able to….” Reasonable enough thought process, right? Sure. However, what’s the impact on client care in a profession that can be very mentally and emotionally taxing when the provider is “churning” client appointments? Most counselors in those lower-paying positions have high caseloads with lots of paperwork requirements for each of those clients (that’s why the typical therapy “hour” is 45-50 minutes long, because they write their case notes in that 10-15 minutes between sessions). How much time do they have to devote to you between sessions when you have a need? How much time do they have to do research on topics directly related to your concerns? How much time do they have for balance and self-care in their own lives? This is not to disparage the field. Don’t get me wrong. I know from experience, as I used to work in those settings, and many of my colleagues still do. Those of us who have been there know how taxing that type of workload can be. It tends to burn therapists out if they aren’t careful. These are very real concerns that therapists express to me at professional conferences, around staff meetings, etc.
My average client sees considerable and measurable results toward their goals by session 12 (which is our agreed-upon minimum number of sessions). At my full fee of $200/hr x 12 = $2,400. Admittedly, that’s a good chunk of change. Compare that cost to these common expenses:
As individuals or couples, how much do we willingly and gladly spend on cars, spa, recreation, and vacations while our core relationship problems remain unresolved?
If and when it comes time to hire the divorce attorney, will you be able to dicker for price, or will you simply find a way to pay for it? Most people find a way to pay it. It’s amazing to me how many people will try to find the cheapest counseling they can find to save their marriage, but will pay whatever it takes to get the best “shark” for their divorce. They end up paying a premium price for cruddy results. And yet I’ve had people, prior to becoming my clients, at times complain about paying much less about creating great results.
Read these related articles: Count the Cost, and Count the REAL Cost, Part 2.
So the question is: How much are you really paying, considering you are paying for more “cheaper” sessions with less results?
Are there any good therapists who are also inexpensive?
Yes and no. Yes, there will always be cheaper fees somewhere. And yes, sometimes there are also good therapists tied to those cheaper fees. There are two points to consider regarding your question:
There is some truth to “you get what you pay for.” Over the years, quite a few clients, bishops, and other clergy have told me they have actually paid more in the long run for “less expensive” therapists simply because:
It took longer and/or;
The results weren’t helpful, which resulted in them ending up paying more in the long run for more counseling and/or a different counselor and/or more ongoing assistance to the member in other ways because of the direct and indirect financial impact of unresolved issues. These are all the hidden costs of “cheaper.”;
Sometimes you can find good counselors “on the cheap”: For example, I worked at a community mental health agency for ten years where our clients paid according to what they could afford: some paid the full fee, and some paid only $2 a session. I was paid a salary there, of course, and our agency was funded by county, state, and federal contracts and funding, which offset the fees so all incomes could access quality care. I provided the same high-quality counseling then that I do now. The downside was that I had a large caseload, which could compromise the amount of personal attention I was able to provide to my clients. But, yes, you can find good therapists that are less expensive, too. The main thing is to shop around vs. just “taking what you can get.”
The bottom line is that there are many good therapists out there, as well as many subpar ones, just as in any profession. It’s a matter of finding who’s available that you can afford (on your own, through your insurance, with church or family help, or agency funding) and then shopping around among them to see who is the best for you. Never settle for just what someone gives you or just what you “can get.” In my field, it’s called self-advocacy, and we believe that clients can and should advocate strongly for the best care available.
Why are your fees the same for individuals, couples, or families?
I’ve noticed some therapists charge more for couples or family sessions.
Most of the therapists I’ve noticed who do that aren’t specifically trained in relationship dynamics; as such, working with couples and families is more complex and difficult for them. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), my clinical training is centered around working with relationships. Whether I’m meeting with an individual, a couple, or a family, my focus is always on helping people understand and change relational patterns that impact their well-being, whether that’s their relationship with self or with others. Because working with multiple people in the room is not an “add-on” or a more complex service, it’s the foundation of my therapeutic approach; I do not charge different fees based on who is in the session. The process is not more difficult for me as an MFT; it’s just a different kind of conversation. You’ll receive the same level of training, attention, and care whether you come alone, as a couple, or as a family.
“Because I’m a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, my training is specifically focused on working with relational systems like couples and families. For me, it’s not a premium service—it’s core to how I help people heal and grow. So I keep my rates consistent across individuals, couples, and families.”
What forms of payment do you accept?
I accept credit/debit cards, HSA cards, cash, and Venmo.
Do you take insurance? Are there other payment options?
Normally, payments are made at the time of service and/or are pre-paid as part of a package. However, there are other options as well.
Insurance: I do not bill insurance. However, if 1. You are a client in the State of Utah, 2. We are working on a diagnosable issue in a therapy relationship, and 3. If your insurance reimburses you for an “out-of-network provider,” then I can provide you with a receipt for fees you have paid me for services rendered on your behalf that contains the diagnostic codes, session codes, and my professional information required by insurance companies. Every insurance company works differently. They may or may not authorize services, and they may or may not reimburse you.
Pay over time: Payment is expected at the beginning of each month. You may make partial payments on a monthly basis via credit or debit card payments that you have contracted to pay based on what you can manage each month, realistically. I don’t charge interest or fees for payment plans so long as payments are being made.
Clergy: I also work with clergy from various faiths, as they know I will honor their spiritual values. Many clergy help pay the fee in full or in part based on their members’ needs. Since these funds come from sacred donations, I offer a substantially reduced fee to clergy. Contact me for more details on how this works.
Family: Some clients receive help from their family, who pay for their sessions by debit/credit or via Venmo.
Q: Why don’t you take insurance? What is your policy on insurance reimbursement?
Unlike many providers, I do not accept insurance, nor do I process insurance claims. There are three key reasons for this that I think are very important:
Confidentiality. Insurance companies require that you be diagnosed with a mental health disorder if you are to be reimbursed. This diagnosis goes into your permanent health record and may affect your ability to be insured in the future. Many people do not appreciate this, especially when they change jobs and apply for new insurance and are then denied or limited in their coverage.
Client Care. I have found that the extraordinary amount of paperwork required for processing claims takes away significantly from time that can be invested in personal client care (i.e., personal responsiveness to clients’ needs, additional individual research for each client, ongoing research and education, coordinating with providers, family members, and other supports, etc.). Collecting from insurance involves processing, billing, collecting, and negotiating treatment with insurance companies, and so on. Less time on processing insurance claims equals more time to client care by developing client-specific interventions, continuing to improve on our knowledge and skills, conducting research, etc., which translates into a higher quality product for my clients.
Course of Treatment. An insurance company’s primary goal is to spend the minimum it can to maximize its profits. That is what they are in business for, which is fine. However, this translates into a third party who does not know your needs and circumstances dictating who you can see, what can or can’t be addressed, what types of sessions you may or may not have, and how many times you can see them, if at all. I firmly believe that deciding who you see should be your choice and that the course of treatment should be negotiated by those directly involved in it —the client(s) and the consultant.
I realize that mine is a strong stance. If accessing your insurance benefits, either out of necessity or preference, is important to you, I will be happy to refer you to other qualified colleagues of mine who process insurance claims.
Q: Isn’t there any way I can work with you and still use my insurance?
Some of my clients have found that they have been able to submit their own claims for our work together. Depending on your insurance benefits, some companies will reimburse you, in full or in part, for services rendered. You may contact your provider directly and ask if this is an option. If so, I will be happy to provide you with an invoice with the necessary insurance billing codes and information they require.
Q: Have you had to refuse service to many people because of your insurance policy?
Actually, there have only been a few times when we couldn’t develop a workable payment solution, and I had to refer them elsewhere. The good news is that due to the focused and strategic nature of our work together, most find they have made considerable progress in a very limited number of sessions (everyone’s different, but the average is 8-12 sessions for marked improvement). Thus, those who pay the full fee find that it’s usually still a cost-effective strategy compared with less-expensive therapy that may also be less effective. Further, many have found additional help through other third parties (see below).
Q: Do you take reimbursement from other third parties?
Yes. I work with many clergy from various faiths who financially support their members in full or in part. You are welcome to check with your clergy person to discuss this option, and he or she is welcome to contact me directly if he or she has any questions. Further, family members have also been willing to support or defray the cost of services in full or in part.
Why do you recommend 12 sessions?
I have found that while we can accomplish a lot in just 10-12 sessions, not everyone who starts finishes. Thus, this three- to four-month commitment establishes clear parameters on what is expected. At this stage in my career, I am only working with those who are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. We don’t get lasting results in brief periods. We don’t get great results by doing sloppy work. We don’t get BMWs out of Yugo factories. A few weeks in the gym with your personal trainer aren’t going to create huge muscles or great weight loss, regardless of how badly you want it or how good your trainer is. Commit to the work and to the process, and you commit to results.
I chose the 12-session mark from both:
The research shows that most clients, on average, attend 8-12 sessions regardless of positive, neutral, or negative experiences/outcomes. That’s simply the time frame therapists generally have to do their work with most clients, and
My own professional experience of observing the following pattern with most clients over the years:
Sessions 1-2: The Honeymoon Phase, where people get over the fear of going to counseling and then, to their glad surprise, hear new ideas and strategies that provide encouragement and hope. This energizes clients to try and gives them a running start.
Sessions 3-4: Reality Sets In Phase, where clients come back to the reality that they are still human, have pulses, and that all their long-standing habits are still there in full force. They get discouraged. Most people, if they haven’t given a commitment to a process of counseling, give in at this point and stop going because “it isn’t working.”
Sessions 5-9: The Work Phase, where clients dig in and work past “the wall,” barriers, and discouragement, start to get a bit more comfortable with the new skills and mindsets, and get the tender roots of new habits to begin to form.
Sessions 10-12: Tapering Phase, where we’ve hit a stride and are now attending every other week, as they are a little more confident in their skill sets and are able to practice more and more on their own with increasing success.
Of course, 12 sessions are the minimum recommendation. Some take twice as long. Some even longer. Some less. Every person and every situation is different. However, the above four phases are common and predictable for most people, and you can expect something similar in your experience. Don’t get fixated on the number 12. It’s just a marker where we can gauge progress. It doesn’t have to mean everything needs to be “fixed” by then. Take the time you and your situation require.
Between-session support: What’s included in our sessions regarding emails or text messages with questions?
You can email or text questions or concerns, or just things you want me to be aware of, anytime (my phone is on silent, so anytime, day or night, is always fine). I typically only reply during standard business hours (9-5 M-F).
For brief replies and in-between-session support, there’s no additional charge. Brief means 5-10 minutes or so, which is what most between-session questions take. Sometimes, more time is needed to adequately address your question or concern, so we may take the time to pop on a call, as text-based communication is too limiting to communicate about more nuanced concerns. Over 15 minutes is charged by the quarter hour (pro-rated to the hourly rate).
One caveat is that while I’m generally good at responding, I do miss things. So if you don’t hear back from me, please feel free to be a squeaky wheel. :-) I would never want anyone to feel they are bugging me or that I’m too busy. Not by way of excuse, just the reality that I miss things at times.
My clergy member is willing to help support me financially by helping me pay for counseling. However, I can’t find someone in my area who has both the speciality areas I need and someone who will uphold my spiritual values. How do I approach my clergy member about working with you remotely?
You can respectfully address the following with your clergy member:
First, just discuss what you’ve shared with me before about not having access to a qualified therapist close by who meets your needs, and how long it would/could take to travel to another city to meet with a qualified professional.
Inform your clergy member that I work with many clergy locally and remotely for that very reason.
With video and phone technology being so much better and low-cost now, it is changing how people access healthcare in many ways. For example, in addition to what I provide in this field of counseling, some doctors (both general practitioners and psychiatrists) are now “meeting” with rural patients via video conferencing over the web with people who would otherwise not have access to a doctor. Thus, it is becoming more common as technology is allowing people greater choices in selecting providers for their care. Both the Bishops (and other clergy I work with) and my clients appreciate it; in my case, for the same cost, they can get better and more well-suited care.
Long before Zoom became commonplace, I was one of the few in my field who was an early adopter on the cutting edge who provided this option. I have clients all over the country and even a few international clients I work with this way (see Client Map).
He or she is more than welcome to call me directly at 801.787.8014 or email me at jonathan@RelateGREAT.net, and I will be happy to answer any of their questions or concerns about working in this manner.