What Are Your Fees?

At The Couch Counseling, we operate on a self-pay/out-of-network basis. Our fee structure is transparent, with rates varying depending on the service provided and your clinician’s level of licensure.

• Initial Diagnostic Intake Assessment (85 mins): $225 (required for all new clients)

• Individual Counseling (55 mins):
  • $175 per session

• Specialized Trauma Therapies (EMDR / ART; 55–85 mins): $175-$225 per session

• Couples Counseling (85 mins):
  • $225 per session

• Family Therapy (Up to 4 members; 85 mins):
  • $225 per session

Note: Telehealth appointments are subject to the same rate structure as in-person visits.

We do not bill health insurance providers directly. However, upon request, we are happy to provide you with an itemized receipt called a Superbill. 

You can submit this to your insurance provider to request potential out-of-network reimbursement.

Because coverage varies, we recommend contacting your insurer directly to verify your out-of-network benefits, deductibles, and submission guidelines. 

Full payment is required at the time of service regardless of reimbursement status.

No, we exclusively work with adult clients (ages 18 and older).

To provide the highest quality of care, our practice focuses specifically on adult individual therapy, couples counseling, and adult family dynamics. 

We help adults navigate life's complexities—whether that means processing past experiences, building healthier boundaries, or as we like to say, helping you "clean up and brush off your side of the street" within your relationships and personal life.

While we do not treat minors and make no exceptions to this policy, we want to ensure your family gets the support it needs. We are more than happy to connect you with trusted local child and adolescent specialists, pediatric therapists, or youth counseling practices in the area.

If you would like a referral for a minor, please feel free to reach out to us by phone at 

(352) 895-0808 or email us directly, and we will gladly point you in the right direction.

• Accepted Payments: Cash, major credit/debit cards, and HSA/FSA cards. Personal or business checks are not accepted.

• Card-on-File Requirement: All clients are required to keep a valid, standard credit or debit card on file.

• HSA/FSA Cards: While HSA/FSA cards can be used to pay for completed sessions, card issuer restrictions prohibit them from being stored as the primary card on file.

• Payment Processing: Payment in full is processed automatically prior to the start of each session.

• Cancellations & Missed Appointments: We require at least 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule. Missed appointments or cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice are charged the full session fee.
  
• Tip: If you are sick or unable to make it in person, you can switch your appointment to a Telehealth (video) or phone session at your scheduled time to avoid a cancellation fee.

• Late Arrivals: To ensure quality care, clients arriving more than 15 minutes late cannot be seen and will be billed as a late cancellation.

• Declined Payment, NSF, or Chargeback Fee: A $25 fee applies to any declined payment, insufficient funds notice, or credit card chargeback.

Non-Emergency Phone Consultations:

• Calls 0–20 minutes: No charge

• Calls 20+ minutes: $25 per 15-minute increment (un-scheduled clinical consultation calls max out at $225)

• Administrative & Paperwork Requests: Administrative work completed outside of session time (excluding standard progress notes) is billed at the clinician's standard hourly session rate.

• Legal & Court Appearances: Court-related activities, preparation, travel, and subpoenaed testimony are billed at $475 per hour.

In most cases, we recommend starting with weekly sessions.

Therapy is a momentum-driven process. Meeting on a weekly basis, especially at the beginning of care, creates the consistency needed to build trust, dive into the work, and start seeing meaningful progress without losing ground between appointments.

While weekly sessions are the standard recommendation for optimal clinical progress, treatment plans are never "one size fits all." Your therapy schedule depends on your goals, the intensity of what you are working through, and your practical availability:

• Weekly Sessions (Recommended Standard): Ideal for new clients, those navigating acute stress or life transitions, and clients pursuing specialized trauma work (such as EMDR or ART) where consistent momentum is key.

• Bi-Weekly (Every Other Week): Often appropriate as you make steady progress, transition into a maintenance phase, or balance specific scheduling constraints.

• Step-Down / Maintenance Phase: As you achieve your initial therapeutic goals, we may taper sessions to monthly check-ins or an as-needed basis to reinforce your growth and maintain long-term stability.

At the end of the day, therapy is a collaborative process. During your initial diagnostic assessment, your clinician will discuss their clinical recommendations with you and tailor a schedule that fits your unique needs, goals, and lifestyle.

Finding the right therapist is one of the most important parts of the counseling process. 

You are investing your valuable time, energy, and financial resources into your well-being, so it is completely natural—and smart—to want to ensure you are choosing the right professional to partner with.

Research consistently shows that the single greatest predictor of success in therapy is the strength of the therapeutic relationship. Here is how you can evaluate whether our practice is the best fit for you:

Before diving into therapy, start with the fundamentals:

• Specialization & Experience: Does the counselor have expertise in the specific challenge you are facing (e.g., relationship dynamics, trauma, anxiety, or life transitions)?

• Logistics & Modality: Do our office hours, location, and session format (in-person vs. Telehealth) align with your routine?

Technical credentials matter, but so does personal comfort. During an initial 10-minute phone call, pay attention to how you feel:

• Do you feel heard, respected, and non-judgmentally received?

• Does the clinician’s style match what you need—whether that is structured and direct, or gentle and reflective?

Ultimately, the truest sense of chemistry comes from being in the room together. The first two to three sessions are a dynamic evaluation period for both of us:

• For You: You will get a real sense of whether you feel safe opening up and whether our approach resonates with you.

• For Us: We will evaluate whether our clinical scope and expertise are truly the best match for your specific goals.

We encourage open dialogue about how therapy is feeling. If at any point you have reservations or feel we aren't the best fit, please let us know! 

We care deeply about your progress, and if another practitioner or practice is better suited to your care preferences, we are always happy to provide trusted referrals to get you where you need to be. This is a very important question. You're dedicating your invaluable time & hard earned resources & therefor want to be absolutely certain you are picking the right person to be your counselor. 

You should consider logistical factors (office location & availability) as well as personal characteristics (our training & expertise, personality, & 'the feel' you get). An initial 15-minute phone conversation should be able answer some of these questions - However, we do suggest that you really think about the questions that will inform your decision. 

Lastly, more often than not, you generally have to be in a room with someone before you truly have a feel for the person. The first couple of face-to-face sessions can continue to solidify your decision & we can talk about any ongoing reservations or concerns you might have.

Your first appointment is an Initial Diagnostic Intake Assessment. 

This session is structured differently from routine therapy appointments to give us a comprehensive understanding of your history, current challenges, and goals.

• Understanding Your Story: We will discuss what brought you to therapy, your personal background, relevant medical or mental health history, and any past experiences with counseling.

• Clarifying Your Goals: We’ll explore what positive change looks like for you and what you hope to accomplish in our work together.

• Building a Treatment Plan: Based on our conversation, your clinician will share preliminary insights and discuss the recommended session frequency, therapeutic approach, and roadmap for your care.

• Addressing Questions: You’ll have dedicated time to ask any questions about practice policies, confidentiality, or what future sessions will look like.

Note: Please ensure your intake paperwork is completed online prior to your appointment time so we can spend the full session focusing on you.

Yes, we offer secure Telehealth appointments for Florida residents, and we maintain maximum flexibility so your care remains uninterrupted.

• Same Fees & Quality: Telehealth sessions are conducted via a HIPAA-compliant video platform and are held to the exact same fee structure, duration, and clinical standards as in-person visits.

• Flexible Care Transition: If you are feeling unwell, experiencing minor symptoms, stuck in traffic, or dealing with unexpected travel or weather, you can switch your scheduled in-person visit to a Telehealth session at your regular appointment time.

• Avoiding Cancellation Fees: Transitioning to a virtual visit allows you to keep your appointment and maintain continuous progress without incurring a late cancellation or missed-session fee.

Simply notify us as early as possible before your start time so your therapist can send over your secure video link.