The short answer is MAYBE…

We do not contract with commercial insurance directly, which is not unusual in our field, especially when working with trauma… There are multiple reasons for choosing not to panel with managed care companies . For starters, the “managed” part of these companies often interferes with the specialized treatment that we offer by requiring special authorizations, demanding excessive amounts of paperwork (which takes away from the client centered care we aim to offer), delaying payments or even worse, refusing to pay for specialty services altogether. Also, we want to ensure that your information is strictly confidential and once we accept a contract with a managed care company, we can no longer offer that same level of confidentiality as managed care companies have the right to access your records whenever they choose. Additionally, filing insurance would require us to diagnosis you or your child/adolescent with a mental health diagnosis and we try to avoid medical model driven labels as much as possible as a matter of practicing client-centered, holistic care. Once labeled, it will become part of your record with your insurance company. Assigning a mental health diagnosis could affect things such as joining the military and/or obtaining life insurance and/or obtaining certain jobs and/or a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

We specialize in treating all types of trauma and head injuries (suppression in the brain) and we have found that unresolved trauma can often “mimic” varied mental health diagnoses. Therefore, we would prefer to focus on treating root causes often overlooked by insurance companies rather than finding the most appropriate label to get services covered. After-all, we aim to prioritize trauma-informed care and labels can be hurtful and potentially damaging. Over the years, we have found that most of the specialized trauma modalities we offer are not covered by insurance specifically and so the investment made to be trained and attain the needed equipment to offer such services isn’t cost effective with an insurance driven model. This includes things such as LENS Neurofeedback, Safe & Sound Protocol, Trauma-Informed Hypnosis, Brainspotting, and S.A.F.E. EMDR.

Lastly, we would rather focus our time on caring for our clients instead of on the phone verifying coverage, submitting claims, and waiting to be paid. Can you imagine working and getting paid for that work 3-6 weeks later? Better yet, what if that same payor came back 6 months later stating they made a mistake and demanded repayment? Yes, this happens too. Even still, we honor the autonomy of all of our clients and for those with insurance who want to file it, you are welcome to do so on your own by submitting an “Out-of-Network” claim. We cannot guarantee services will be reimbursed to you; however, we are surprised to find that many clients do get some form of coverage from time to time.

If you have “Out of Network” benefits and want to use them, we can provide you with a detailed bill also known as a “super bill”. We have no idea why it is referred to as super as it doesn’t seem to excite anyone. The good news is that your insurance will most likely reimburse you for a portion of your therapy fee if you have out-of-network benefits and if our staff meet the insurance company’s criterion (varies by company and policy). It is unlikely they will reimburse you for all of it. We recommend that you call and check your out-of-network benefits in advance of services if this is a concern. Our fee remains the same regardless of whether or not you file out of network. We require payment at the time of service and we provide you with the needed information to file it on your own to seek reimbursement. Please note that filing out of network will still require us to assign you or your loved one a diagnosis. Insurance coverage is NEVER a guarantee of payment, which is why it’s always a good idea to call and check your benefits prior to scheduling an appointment if you wish to use your insurance by filing for reimbursement.

*Out of network filing does not apply to clients receiving a discounted rate, seeing interns, or receiving a counseling package. Our counselors and therapists (clinicians) may not be eligible for reimbursement as it varies by policy. At no time is Trauma & Therapy Center responsible for filing claims or pursuing reimbursement on your behalf. Out-of-Network claims are entirely between the client and the insurance company*

Our average rates run between $100-$150 per session for employed clinicians. It varies depending on the experience and training of each clinician. We also offer graduate level interns with significantly lower rates of $75 per session (comparable to an insurance co-pay for many). We do have a reduced fee program for a limited amount of clients. This allows a client to be seen at a lower rate for a limited amount of time only (generally 8-10 sessions). The fee is $55-$75 per session and each clinician is granted a limited number of slots. While we do not ask for tax records or proof of income, we do ask that this only be utilized if absolutely needed. Utilizing the reduced fee program when you can afford the normal rate takes a spot away from someone who may need it. Additionally, if you feel you need to utilize the reduced fee program, we encourage you to consider buying a counseling package or working with one of our graduate interns if wanting to be in therapy longer than 8-12 sessions. Additionally, having a limited amount of sessions can shift the clinical focus to ensure that we are not risking greater harm as some forms of trauma work are not appropriate to address in 8-12 sessions, such as complex trauma.

Counseling session packages are designed to be shared among family members (only those within the same household at the time of purchase). The sessions contained in these packages do not have to be shared. The counseling sessions do not have an expiration date even if the client is discharged from the practice only to return later, as long as the treating clinician still has the scheduling availability. Otherwise, the client can request another provider or wait until a slot comes open. There are no refunds on unused sessions. Counseling packages offer a generous discount or 5-20% off the standard rates.

We accept cash (no change), checks (made out to Trauma & Therapy Center of TN.), Health Savings Account, and most major credit cards. Clinicians do not accept direct payment for their services. Trauma & Therapy Center is the service provider who sets the fees, hires employees, and/or enters into affiliation agreements with various universities unlike in a private practice where each clinician is setting the fees and collecting the payment.

The cost of doing business in expensive. Training is expensive, ongoing and it is in addition to the 6 or more years of formal education. We spend thousands a year getting training above and beyond the requirement for licensure so that we can provide our clients with cutting edge, evidence based treatments.

We specialize in treating difficult trauma cases. We do consider ourselves specialists and a good fit for anyone with a lot of complexity for whom the average clinician might hesitate treating. We are also a great fit for the client that tried getting therapy with a provider who took insurance and found the care to be unsatisfactory.

In addition to the training, regular consultations and supervision required, we participate in a variety of monthly consultation groups, some with outside experts, and these come with additional costs.

Frequently, legal consultation is also required so we have a licensed attorney for our practice to ensure that we are following all legal and ethical guidelines at all times. Additionally, most clinicians worth seeing seek training, consultation and supervision throughout the lifetime of their careers. This can only be of benefit to you and/or your loved ones. We also have office expenses, malpractice and liability insurance, building expenses, therapy materials, advertising, website hosting, electronic medical record software management, email security fees, taxes, and fees for professional associations just to name a few.

At TTCT, we strive to honor our team to ensure that they feel valued for the work they do by remaining competitive with our compensation and benefits. The mental health industry is slowly being swallowed up by tech companies and franchises looking to increase profits and satisfy investors making it increasingly difficult to remain competitive as a small business. At TTCT, we want to pay our clinicians well, ensure we offer quality care, and keep costs lower to keep care accessible and confidential.

We do our best to keep fees low. We also keep a portion of the caseload available on our reduced fee program. We also offer groups which are sharply discounted from individual therapy. For every clinical hour spent with us, you are getting years of training and experience that inform the work we do with you. At TTCT, you are getting a clinical team approach at all times. While you may only be meeting with one clinician, that clinician is getting ongoing consultation, support, and training to ensure that you, as the client, are getting the best care, while also ensuring we take care of our clinicians to minimize compassion fatigue and burnout. Clinicians think about your concerns, take detailed notes and review them, prepare assignments and look into resources that might benefit you. Oftentimes, we may have brief contact (5-10 min max) with you outside of our scheduled sessions in the form of a text, secure message, or email. Anytime we have contact with you, this requires additional time spent charting a contact note to keep your record up to date.

Think of therapy as an investment in your well-being. Most of our clients report much higher satisfaction with their lives and relationships during and after therapy.

When considering the costs, consider its cost compared to other common expenses, for example:

Hairdresser - $100-200/hr depending upon the service

Personal trainer - $80-$100/hour

Massage - $100-150/hour

Car Detailing- $100-$250

When considering the potential benefits of therapy in increasing your quality of life, is the cost mental health too expensive? Only you can decide that.

A standard clinical hour is 53 minutes long at TTCT. This is to ensure that our clients leave session well-resourced and grounded. As a result of doing longer sessions, clinicians have little time in between to respond to emails/phone messages before starting the next session and thus, clinicians must utilize other times during the day to chart notes and develop resources for their clients. This limits how many clients they can see in a day, as we want to ensure they are taking care of themselves and their clients. While some clinicians in our field routinely conduct 45 min sessions, we find that 53 min is more sufficient due to the nature of the work we do and the needs of the client. Longer sessions are sometimes needed for S.A.F.E. EMDR, and Couples Counseling. There may be an additional fee for these sessions due to the additional time spent in session.

We are located in the Sango area of Clarksville off the 41A Bypass ( in the building formerly known as Wee Cycle/New To You Consignment), just 5 miles off Interstate 24 at Exit 11 heading towards downtown Clarksville. Our address is 600 Rosewood Drive, Clarksville, TN. 37043.

Psychotherapy is a general term for treating mental health problems by talking with a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health provider. For all intents and purposes with us, it refers to all things counseling and therapy EXCEPT for prescribing medication. Not everyone who benefits from psychotherapy is diagnosed with a mental illness. In fact, psychotherapy can help with a number of life's stresses and conflicts that can affect anyone.

During psychotherapy, you learn about your condition and your moods, feelings, thoughts and behaviors. Psychotherapy helps you learn how to take control of your life and respond to challenging situations with healthy coping skills.

There are many types of psychotherapy, each with its own approach. The type of psychotherapy that's right for you depends on your individual situation. Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy, counseling, psychosocial therapy or, simply, therapy.

Psychotherapy can be helpful in treating most mental health problems, including:

Anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, panic disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder

Addictions, such as alcoholism, drug dependence or compulsive gambling

Eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia

Personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder or dependent personality disorder

Psychotherapy can also be helpful in treating most day to day stressors, including:

Resolve conflicts with your partner or someone else in your life

Relieve anxiety or stress due to work or other situations

Cope with major life changes, such as divorce, the death of a loved one or the loss of a job

Learn to manage unhealthy reactions, such as road rage or passive-aggressive behavior

Come to terms with an ongoing or serious physical health problem, such as diabetes, cancer or long-term (chronic) pain

Recover from physical or sexual abuse or witnessing violence

Sleep better, if you have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep (insomnia)

In some cases, psychotherapy can be as effective as medications, such as antidepressants. However, depending on your specific situation, psychotherapy alone may not be enough to ease the symptoms of a mental health condition. You may also need medications or other natural holistic treatments.

Generally, there's little risk in having psychotherapy. But because it can explore painful feelings and experiences, you may feel emotionally uncomfortable at times. Additionally, things may feel as though they are getting worse initially. However, any risks are minimized by working with a skilled therapist who can match the type and intensity of therapy with your needs.

The coping skills and new insights that you learn can help you manage and conquer negative feelings and fears.

Therapy may not cure your condition or make an unpleasant situation go away. But it can give you the power to cope in a healthy way and to feel better about yourself and your life.

Getting the most out of therapy

Take steps to get the most out of your therapy and help make it a success.

Make sure you feel comfortable with your therapist. If you don't, look for another therapist with whom you feel more at ease.

Approach therapy as a partnership. Therapy is most effective when you're an active participant and share in decision-making. Make sure you and your therapist agree about the major issues and how to tackle them. Together, you can set goals and measure progress over time.

Be open and honest. Success depends on willingness to share your thoughts, feelings and experiences, and to consider new insights, ideas and ways of doing things. If you're reluctant to talk about certain issues because of painful emotions, embarrassment or fears about your therapist's reaction, let your therapist know.

Stick to your treatment plan. If you feel down or lack motivation, it may be tempting to skip therapy sessions. Doing so can disrupt your progress. Try to attend all sessions and to give some thought to what you want to discuss.

Don't expect instant results. Working on emotional issues can be painful and may require hard work. You may need several sessions before you begin to see improvement.

Do your homework or practice the skills you are learning between sessions. If your therapist asks you to document your thoughts in a journal or do other activities outside of your therapy sessions, follow through. These homework assignments can help you apply what you've learned in the therapy sessions to your life.

If therapy isn't helping, talk to your therapist. If you don't feel that you're benefiting from therapy after several sessions, talk to your therapist about it. You and your therapist may decide to make some changes or try a different approach that may be more effective.

*Content derived from the Mayo Clinic