Therapy Costs

At the Viva Center, all of our providers are out-of-network. That means that our clinicians do not interact with any insurance providers.

In-network therapists have a contract with your insurance company, allowing them to accept discounted rates. Yet, insurance companies frequently reimburse clients directly for out-of-network therapy costs. For more guidance on this process, feel free to use our insurance submission checklist.

In Washington, DC, most clinicians with advanced training are out-of-network, as the low payments received as an in-network provider rarely cover the expenses of high-quality training.

Over 95% of our clients obtain out-of-network reimbursement for a portion of their costs. We encourage all of our clients to contact their insurance company to verify if their plan offers out-of-network benefits for outpatient mental health (sometimes called behavioral health). 

If out-of-network benefits are available use the following questions when speaking with an insurance agent to estimate potential reimbursement from your insurance company for Viva services:

1. How do I submit claims? 
2. Do I have a deductible? 
3. What is the deductible? 
4. Is there a maximum number of visits per year?
5. What percent of reimbursement is covered under my benefit?
6. If no reimbursement, can I set up a “single-case agreement”?
7. What is the out-of-network reimbursement rate for the various procedure codes below? 90832 (individual 30-minute psychotherapy), 90834 (individual 45-minute psychotherapy), 90837 (individual 60 plus minutes psychotherapy) 
8. Is authorization required? If yes, how do I obtain authorization? 

If there are no out-of-network benefits, and you have determined that there are no in-network provider options or the in-network options do not provide the modalities that you desire (e.g. EMDR), then ask your insurance provider about a “single case agreement.”

For more guidance on this process, feel free to use our insurance submission checklist.

In addition, we provide Couples Therapy and Reiki, with rates that vary based on clinician.

We accept credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Payment is processed on a weekly basis through our secure client portal.

All clients receive weekly statements, post-payment processing that display the information insurance companies require for reimbursement purposes (procedure code, diagnosis code, provider information, etc.).

Our clinicians are trained to answer any questions you may have about the information you need to successfully navigate the reimbursement process with your insurance provider. Should you have further questions about billing and reimbursement, please contact our billing department at (202) 265-1000 x 3.

Therapy can be an important investment in your well-being.

Research shows that it is an incredibly useful and effective tool for helping people manage life challenges, and many find it worthwhile even if they don’t have a diagnosed mental health issue. (Chorpita et al., 2011; Smith, Glass, & Miller, 1980; Wampold, 2001).

At Viva, our licensed clinicians have extensive post-graduate training in trauma-informed care and brain-based therapies. We understand the powerful impact that past experiences can have on our relationships with ourselves, others, and the world. 

The qualifications of our team make us exceptionally equipped in helping you to reach your goals, including:

1. Deep commitment to providing empathetic, trauma-informed therapy: our therapists will work with you to create a plan that fits your unique needs and preferences.
2. Educated to guide you to a deeper understanding of your thoughts and behaviors: behavioral therapies focus on identifying and changing unhealthy thoughts and behaviors, while psychodynamic therapy sheds light on how they began.
3. Go beyond traditional talk therapy: sometimes, talk therapy isn’t enough. Our evidence-based brain therapies offer new paths towards healing, which include EMDR and Brainspotting. Expressive therapies, such as art and music can also be facilitated by our clinicians.
4. Trained to help develop an awareness of your body: somatic, sensorimotor, and yogic approaches tune into your physical experience to promote mind-body wellness.
5. Skilled in mindfulness: a tool that increases our awareness of our emotional, cognitive, and physical experiences.

One way to reduce therapy costs is to schedule biweekly sessions, rather than weekly appointments. This way, you can 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. You may discuss this option with your clinician during the initial session to determine whether it is viable.

Other people elect to access online mental health programs that teach them solutions for improved emotional health at a fraction of the cost of in-person sessions. Our free, online mental health hub, The Resilient Brain Project, houses myriad podcasts, meditations, tools, articles, and other resources for those looking for tools. The Resilient Brain Project also provides live low-cost monthly workshops called Learning Labs.

You may also choose to go with a therapist who uses a sliding scale (prices vary based on your resources), such as the Women’s Center or the George Washington University Center Clinic.

Please Note: The Viva Center is an out of network provider with a fully transparent fee structure so there are no surprises in billing. Viva Center clients receive good faith estimates of length of treatment on our financial agreement document and verbally upon request at any time.

Another option to reduce therapy costs is choosing to go with an in-network provider. If so, we recommend asking the following questions of your new provider:

1. What sort of training do you have in ____?
2. What is your professional history with ____?
3. Do you belong to any professional organizations or societies related to ____?