Why I Chose to Take Insurance as a Therapist

When I first opened my private practice, one of the biggest decisions I faced was whether to accept insurance. In the therapy world, this can be a hot topic, some therapists swear by staying private pay, while others see accepting insurance as the best choice for them and their clients. For me, the decision came down to one thing: accessibility.

Making Therapy More Accessible

I know that for many people, the cost of therapy is one of the biggest barriers to getting started. Even when someone knows they need support, paying out of pocket every week can feel impossible, especially in times of financial stress or uncertainty. When the economy is tight, people often have to make difficult choices about where to cut costs, and unfortunately, therapy can end up on that list. By accepting insurance, I can remove at least one obstacle, making it more realistic for clients to get the care they need without having to choose between therapy and other essential expenses.

Freedom to Focus on the Best Fit

An unexpected benefit of taking insurance was how much freedom it gave me in building my caseload. Because so many people are looking to use their insurance benefits, I didn’t feel the same pressure to take on every client inquiry just to fill my schedule. This meant I could really focus on working with clients who I felt I could help most—people whose needs matched my training, approach, and areas of expertise. In turn, this has helped me keep a full caseload with clients who feel like the right fit for both of us.

No “Right” or “Wrong” Way

I want to be clear that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Some therapists choose to remain private pay for their own reasons, and that works well for them. For me, accepting insurance has been a way to align my practice with my values: increasing access, reducing financial barriers, and allowing me to do my best work with the clients I’m most equipped to help.

At the end of the day, my choice to take insurance has not only helped me keep my caseload full, but it’s also helped me create the kind of practice I dreamed about—one that balances sustainability for me with accessibility for my clients.