MELISA RUELAS
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST INC
How much do sessions cost? 50 minute sessions for couples and families are $225 and 50 minute sessions for individuals are $200.
How often do I come in? Every week. This is for your benefit. I know from experience working with lots of clients that you need to come frequently and consistently to see results. This is supported by research. Clients who get their therapy intensely in the beginning get better results and get better faster than those who do the same number of hours of therapy spread out over months and months. Your progress is worth the investment.
You’re a marriage therapist, do you see individuals? Absolutely! I work with individuals regularly. We will discuss your needs on your free consultation call. If I am not a good fit for you, I'll help you find the right person for you.
Do you take insurance? That depends on your insurance. I am only in-network with very few insurance providers. If I am not in network with your insurance, you could be reimbursed for services if your plan has out-of-network coverage. I use a service called Thrizer to help you get reimbursed for out-of-network services at my practice. Just tell you want to explore insurance reimbursement, and I’ll get you the information you need.
Will insurance cover marriage counseling? It depends on the specifics of your plan. Sometimes an insurance plan will cover marriage counseling if the person covered by the plan has a covered mental health diagnosis (depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance abuse, etc) and marriage counseling is part of the treatment for that diagnosis. I won’t make up a diagnosis just to get your sessions covered, but I will help you understand the paperwork if you decide to go this route. Unfortunately, many insurance plans don’t cover counseling services for things like marital problems and getting parenting help because they are not considered “medically necessary.
Health insurance can cover marriage counseling? I didn’t know that! Yes! It can (see question above for more specifics). Using your insurance can be a great way to make counseling more financially accessible. You may have restrictions on how many sessions are covered and which providers you can use. Check with your plan. Some approved providers and clinics are so busy you may wait 4-6 weeks between appointments. My clients come weekly. You can get the same help from me in 6 weeks that it might take you 6 months to get somewhere else!
Not sure you can afford therapy?