Fees & FAQs
Why we’re self-pay—and what that actually means
Approach Therapy primarily provides self-pay services and does not bill health insurance directly. We also have a limited contract with Lyra, an employee assistance program. Access through Lyra depends on benefit authorization and availability under our contract. Please confirm eligibility before requesting a Lyra appointment.
We didn’t start this way.
Early on in the evolution of Approach Therapy, the goal was to work within insurance networks—to make high-quality therapy accessible to as many people as possible. That intention was real. What we quickly learned was that the system wasn’t designed to support it.
At one point, a behavioral health executive at one of California’s largest insurance companies stated plainly that reimbursement rates for in-network mental health providers would not change for at least a few years.
The underlying reality was simple: there was little incentive for insurers to meaningfully increase reimbursement rates. The people losing were clients and clinicians.
That was the moment the decision became clear.
Staying in-network would have meant building a practice around volume rather than quality. It would have meant accepting a model that was increasingly difficult to sustain—for both clinicians and the people seeking care.
We chose differently.
That doesn’t mean we opted out of helping clients use their insurance. We help clients understand their out-of-network benefits, provide the documentation they need to request reimbursement, and we are transparent about what medically necessary care looks like and what that means for reimbursement. We decided to structure care around the needs of both clients and clinicians, instead of focusing on a system that often conflicted with those needs.
What self-pay makes possible
This isn’t simply a business decision. It’s a structural choice that changes how the work actually gets done.
By maintaining our fees, we’re able to:
— Keep caseloads appropriately sized to give each client the attention and bandwidth this type of work requires.
— Avoid the documentation and billing constraints that dictate what gets worked on and for how long.
— Sustain the practice without burnout—which means the people working here can actually show up fully.
— Maintain a small number of reduced-fee slots for clients facing genuine financial hardship—something an insurance-driven model makes nearly impossible.
We remain deeply committed to the idea that people should be able to access quality mental health care.
We’re also clear-eyed about what it takes to actually deliver it.
Sessions focus on our clients’ needs, what’s happening, and what to do about it. Our sessions are not shaped by what an insurance auditor will accept or decline as a rationale for rendering services. The course of treatment is not interrupted because benefits were exhausted or a diagnosis changed. The work proceeds in accordance with what is clinically appropriate for our clients’ needs and goals.
Therapy fees
Individual Therapy
$290–$375
per session
Individual psychotherapy with Melanie Chinchilla, PhD, is $375 for a 60-minute session.
Psychotherapy is provided online to adults located in California, New York, and Illinois. Your clinician must be eligible to provide care in the state where you are located.
Individual therapy sessions usually last between 45 and 60 minutes. When the work requires a bit more time or an additional midweek session due to important developments, we do our best to accommodate our clients’ needs and requests. We do not feel pressured to decline due to administrative concerns.
Scheduling decisions are driven by clinical need and availability, not by what an auditor might flag. The lower end of the range is our consistent starting point for licensed marriage and family therapists in California. Fees vary based on session length, clinician training, specialization, experience, and scope of services.
Couples and partners interested in concentrated relational work will find additional information about this offering and format in Relational Intensives. Fees for intensive work vary and answers about that process can be discussed during the consultation.
Out-of-network reimbursement
If you have out-of-network benefits, you may be able to submit receipts to your insurance company for partial reimbursement. We provide superbills upon request and help clients understand how to use their benefits effectively.
Insurance reimbursement timelines can vary significantly and are not necessarily a reflection of a claim’s quality or validity. When requested, we help clients understand and navigate the reimbursement process. Our documentation accurately reflects the work and prioritizes clinical accuracy, medical necessity where applicable, and clear communication. We are transparent with clients about what that means and what to expect.
Reimbursement for services rendered is not guaranteed. Questions about any specific health insurance plan’s coverage and reimbursement rates are best directed to your insurance company or health benefits administrator.
Scheduling and cancellations
You can send an inquiry to ask questions or request an appointment directly; an inquiry is not required first. Please confirm benefit authorization and contract availability before choosing a Lyra appointment. Self-pay and authorized Lyra appointments are separate options.
Appointments can be scheduled through a secure client portal. You can schedule, reschedule, or cancel sessions through the portal at any time.
We require 48 hours’ notice for cancellations or rescheduling. Appointments canceled with less than 48 hours’ notice may be subject to a fee. This policy exists to protect clinicians’ time and preserve availability for clients who need it
FAQs
Common questions
Do you accept insurance?
Approach Therapy primarily provides self-pay services and does not bill health insurance directly. We also have a limited contract with Lyra, an employee assistance program. Access through Lyra depends on benefit authorization and availability under our contract. Please confirm eligibility before requesting a Lyra appointment.
Authorized Lyra services are separate from self-pay appointments and out-of-network insurance reimbursement. For self-pay services, you may independently request reimbursement if your health plan offers out-of-network benefits. We provide superbills upon request; reimbursement is not guaranteed.
I previously saw a therapist here using insurance. Can I continue?
In the past, we contracted with Health Net / MHN and certain EAP plans. If you have an established, pre-existing treatment relationship, please contact us to confirm whether your prior arrangement can continue.
Approach Therapy now primarily provides self-pay services and does not bill health insurance directly. Our limited Lyra contract is a separate arrangement: access depends on benefit authorization and availability under our contract. Please confirm eligibility before requesting a Lyra appointment. We do not accept all employee assistance programs.
Who is the client?
The individual or couple receiving therapy is always our client. We do not work for third parties, employers, or insurance companies.
How long does therapy last?
The work is structured and goal-oriented, and is not intended to continue indefinitely. The number of sessions depends on your goals, progress, concerns, and circumstances. We strive to help our clients build clarity, confidence, and independence, not extend the relationship indefinitely. If you have questions about your progress or specific goals, please discuss those concerns with your clinician.
Most people working on a defined issue—anxiety, a life transition, a specific relationship pattern—find meaningful progress within a few months of consistent work. Some continue longer because the scope expands or new things surface. Some clients achieve their therapeutic goals and elect to return to therapy later, when circumstances change. The shape of the work is determined by what’s actually happening, not by a predetermined endpoint.
Is psychotherapy worth the investment?
That’s the right question to ask. Most people who seek out our services are interested in improving their daily functioning. Some issues affect decision-making, responses under pressure, and how people show up in important relationships and areas of life. They often consider the cost of continuing to operate under the current stressors and circumstances in their lives. The weight that comes when you continue to operate in a way that isn’t working for you often becomes higher than the cost of addressing it directly.
Many of the people we work with are already high-functioning and may even be considered successful in parts of their lives. They are not coming here because their lives have “fallen apart.” They often describe seeking out therapy because they do not want to wait until the important aspects of their lives unravel—and because they’ve decided that kind of optionality is worth investing in.
There’s also a less obvious cost worth noting. Ineffective functioning does not just affect performance in one domain of your life. When you spend a lot of energy managing internal friction, how you connect, experience events, and approach relationships can also be affected. That’s not abstract. It’s the actual texture of daily life. Therapy that helps you address these challenges can also help you change that.
What if I’m not sure if I need therapy?
This makes sense. People often think they have to wait until life gets unmanageable or they are on the verge of a breakdown to get therapy. I would encourage you to ask yourself,
“Do I believe I could benefit from therapy?”
“What am I hoping to gain from therapy?”
You don’t need to have everything figured out before reaching out. You can ask a question, get a sense of fit, or share what you’re hoping to work on. We’ll respond and help you determine next steps.
When you’re ready, the next step is simple.