First, let us define what therapy is from a therapist’s perspective. In traditional individual therapy, there is the “client” (aka “patient”) that consents to the therapeutic process and the clinician (“therapist”) that provides a mental health service (“therapy”) for agreed-upon rate (price). Next, let’s take that a step further and define individual therapy from an insurance provider’s perspective. In the same traditional individual therapy scenario, insurance companies define the individual that they insure as the client (“patient”), who agrees to pay contracted amount (“copay” or “coinsurance”), consents to therapeutic process, and has a right to confidentiality.

Now, in couples therapy, the client from a therapist’s perspective is the relationship itself, which includes both individuals (both “parties”). We believe that in couples therapy, both individuals (“parties”) must consent to the therapeutic process and both have a right to confidentiality. In contrast, the way that insurance providers define “family therapy” or “relationship therapy” is that there is an “identified patient” (ONE of the parties in couples therapy) that agrees to pay contracted amount (“copay” or “insurance”), and has the right to confidentiality. This means that the other individual (“party”) within the relationship does not have confidentiality and does not consent to the therapeutic process; therefore, they are not the focus of therapy.

This definition of couples therapy by insurance providers do not align with our values as therapists or with how we define couples therapy at Untangled Truths PLLC, so we have chosen not to accept insurance for this service. We understand that the financial investment for couples therapy is difficult, which is why we took the time to evaluate the market for couples therapy, and landed on an investment amount that was affordable and also a fair market value to the clinicians providing the service (rates can be found here).

Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns that you may have.