Why Invest in Therapy?
According to a study by the American Psychological Association, individuals with depression experience an annual national income loss of $1 billion. The annual national loss of income for those with other mental conditions is even higher, at $1.5 billion.
Loss of revenue combined with significant medical costs for both mental health issues and secondary physical complaints, like gastrointestinal pain and headaches, make therapy an important investment for those seeking to improve their quality of life.
Those of us coping with mental illness have many reasons for hope—for example, the majority of mental health conditions are both treatable and curable! A happier, more satisfying life is within your reach.
Our Investment
Here at the Viva Center, we personally invest in postgraduate education and the latest trainings in cutting-edge, neuropsychological approaches to treatment. We are committed to investing every bit as much as our clients do. We know that the fastest way to happiness and satisfaction in life is through an investment in top-notch mental health services.
Viva’s Payment Policy
Although the Viva Center is an out-of-network mental health provider, 90 percent of our clients have their payments reimbursed through insurance. We’ve made this possible by ensuring that every member of our staff is completely DC-licensed.
We take pride in our hands-on approach to helping clients figure out how to work with their insurance providers. The easiest way to find out what your individual plan covers is to call your provider directly. Any of our clinicians would be happy to assist you in navigating the reimbursement process.
Viva’s Rates
Therapy begins at a base rate of $165/45 minute session. Our more experienced clinicians have higher rates commensurate with their market value.
When possible, some of our clinicians will make donations to their fee to offset costs.
In Verus Out of Network
In Washington, DC, most talented clinicians with advanced training are out-of-network, as the low payments received by in-network insurance providers rarely cover the expenses of high-quality education and training or meet the market rate of the service.
Here’s why many people choose to go to an out-of-network clinician:
- They are looking for top-quality care;
- They want a clinician who has trauma-informed certification;
- They want a clinician who has been trained in several modalities and specialties, such as Neurofeedback, Brainspotting, Sensorimotor Training, Sex Therapy, and more;
- They want a clinician who has advanced training in a brain-based practice like EMDR; and
- They want weekend and evening hours at a NW DC location near a metro.
A therapist who works “in-network” has a contract with your insurance company to accept certain discounted rates. “Out-of-network” providers have no contract with your insurance company, however it is almost always possible for out-of-network providers to work with you and your insurance company to reimburse you for your fees.
If seeing a Viva therapist is not in your budget, here are some important questions to ask an in-network therapist:
- What sort of training do you have in ____?
- What is your professional history with ____?
- Do you belong to any professional organizations or societies related to ____?
Budgeting Options
Some clients choose to reduce the cost of therapy by coming in biweekly rather than every week. This way, they still gain the benefits of therapy while lowering the total monthly bill. While results may be slower, the goals of therapy can still be achieved.
Others choose to access online psychoeducation programs that teach them about brain function and solutions for improved mental health at a fraction of the cost of in-person sessions. The Viva Center is developing a collection of online resources rooted in advanced, brain-based science. This collection, The Resilient Brain Project, will launch by the end of 2018, and will house myriad podcasts, meditations, therapeutic tools, research articles, and other resources. Keep an eye on the site for more updates.
