How Therapy Insurance Works in California
Understanding how therapy insurance works can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to figure out what is covered, what isn’t, and how reimbursement actually works. This page is here to help simplify those questions so you can make informed decisions about your care.
This information applies broadly to therapy services in California, including both in-person and telehealth sessions.
Understanding Therapy Insurance Basics
Most health insurance plans include some level of mental health coverage, but the details vary widely depending on your plan.
In general, insurance for therapy falls into two main categories:
In-Network Therapy
In-network means the therapist has a contract with your insurance company. In this case:
Your insurance company sets the session rate
You typically pay a copay or coinsurance
The therapist bills insurance directly
Out-of-Network Therapy
Out-of-network means the therapist does not bill your insurance company directly. In this case:
You pay the session fee upfront
You may be able to submit a claim for partial reimbursement
Coverage depends on your specific insurance benefits
Many clients use a combination of both in-network and out-of-network options depending on their plan and provider availability.
How Deductibles Work
A deductible is the amount you must pay out-of-pocket before your insurance begins covering services.
For therapy, this often means:
You may pay the full session fee until your deductible is met
After that, insurance may cover a portion of each session
Deductibles reset annually based on your plan
It’s common for mental health benefits to be subject to the same deductible as other medical services.
Out-of-Network Benefits
Many clients choose to work with out-of-network providers in order to have more flexibility in choosing a therapist who is the right fit.
If your plan includes out-of-network benefits, your insurance company may reimburse you for a portion of your therapy costs.
Reimbursement typically depends on:
Your plan’s out-of-network coverage
Your deductible status
Usual and customary rates set by your insurance company
We are happy to provide a “superbill” that you can submit directly to your insurance provider for possible reimbursement.
What Is a Superbill?
A superbill is a detailed receipt for therapy services that includes the information your insurance company needs in order to process a claim for reimbursement.
A superbill typically includes:
Provider information
Diagnosis (if applicable and appropriate)
Session dates
Service codes
Payment information
After your session payment is completed, we can provide superbills upon request so you can submit them to your insurance company. Reimbursement amounts vary depending on your specific plan.
Telehealth Therapy and Insurance Coverage
Many insurance plans now include coverage for telehealth (online) therapy sessions, especially for mental health services.
However, coverage depends on:
Your specific insurance plan
Whether telehealth is included in your benefits
Whether the provider is in-network or out-of-network
We offer telehealth therapy services for clients located throughout California. If you are using insurance, we can help you explore whether your plan includes coverage for virtual sessions.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) and Insurance
Coverage for ketamine-assisted psychotherapy varies significantly between insurance providers and plans.
In many cases:
Some therapy components may be eligible for reimbursement
Medication or medical administration may not be covered
KAP is often partially or fully private pay depending on the service structure and provider
If you are considering KAP, we will walk you through fees and discuss any potential insurance or reimbursement options during your consultation so you can make an informed decision.
When Insurance May Not Fully Cover Therapy
Even when therapy is a covered benefit, there are situations where insurance may not cover the full cost of care.
This can happen when:
You have not met your deductible
Your plan has limited mental health coverage
You are seeing an out-of-network provider
Certain services are not included under your plan
In these cases, many clients choose to continue with private pay options or use out-of-network reimbursement when available.
How to Check Your Insurance Benefits
If you are unsure about your coverage, you can contact your insurance provider directly and ask:
Do I have mental health or behavioral health coverage?
Do I have out-of-network benefits for therapy?
What is my deductible and has it been met?
What is the reimbursement rate for outpatient psychotherapy?
Are telehealth therapy sessions covered?
You are also welcome to reach out to our office for help understanding what questions to ask your insurance provider.
A Note on Choosing the Right Therapist
Insurance coverage is only one part of choosing a therapist. Many clients find that the most important factor is the quality of the therapeutic relationship. Visit “Our Team” page for more information about our therapists and what insurances they currently accept.
Because of this, some people choose to:
Use out-of-network benefits for more provider flexibility
Pay privately for continuity of care
Combine insurance coverage with self-pay depending on their needs
What matters most is finding a therapist who feels like the right fit for your goals and support needs.
Need Help Understanding Your Options?
If you have questions about your specific insurance plan or would like help understanding your coverage for therapy services, you are welcome to reach out.
We are happy to support you in navigating your options so you can focus on getting the care you need.
If you would like help reviewing your insurance benefits for therapy in California, you can contact us or submit an insurance inquiry. We can help you understand potential coverage, out-of-network options, and next steps.
Insurance information updated May 2026
Check your insurance.
We usually take many commonly known insurances.
Is your plan not on the list? Fill out the form with your insurance information and we’ll be in touch shortly.