Therapy fees and insurance at Steady Place
Money is one of the most common reasons people put off starting therapy, and it's hard to decide whether something is worth it when you can't find the price anywhere. So here's what each session costs and how insurance works with me, all in one place, before you ever have to pick up the phone.
Ally Stuckless, LPCCigna & Curative
Why I call it an investment
When I call this an investment, I don't mean it in the "buy now and your whole life changes" way. I mean that therapy asks for your money and an hour of your week, but it also asks for your willingness to actually show up and try something different between sessions. That's what gives the work somewhere to go.
Most of the people I work with are already great at investing in everyone and everything else, from their business to their kids' practice schedules. Putting that same energy toward themselves tends to feel a lot less comfortable, which makes sense. Nobody hands you a return-on-investment chart for feeling steadier. But when you have more capacity, it can show up everywhere, from how you handle a hard meeting to who you are at home at the end of the day.
Therapy is an investment, and I don't take that lightly.
I want you to feel confident that the time and cost make sense for you before you book. If you're not in a place where therapy fits financially right now, that's okay, there's no pressure to make it work.
Session fees
These are my private-pay rates. If you're using insurance, your cost works differently, and that's covered just below.
Individual therapy
50 minutesThe standard session, in person in Southlake or online anywhere in Texas. This is where most people start.
EMDR extended session
90 minutesA longer session for EMDR work, so there's room to go at a pace that feels safe and still time to settle before you head back into your day.
EMDR therapy
Walk and talk
75 minutesTherapy outside and on the move, at a spot we pick together. Some people find it easier to open up walking side by side than sitting across from someone, especially if sitting still for an hour makes your body want to crawl out of its skin.
For clients I've already been seeing for a few sessionsFree 15-minute consult
Every new client starts here. It's a quick call to talk through what's going on and whether we're a good fit, with no pressure either way.
Using your insurance
I'm currently in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna and Curative.
If you're using one of these plans, the private-pay rates above don't apply. What you pay out of pocket depends on your specific insurance plan and may include a copay, coinsurance, or deductible. Before we start, call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask about your outpatient mental health benefits so you know what to expect from your first session on.
Using insurance also means I'll need to give you a diagnosis, and sessions must meet medical necessity requirements for insurance to cover them. If you'd rather keep your therapy outside of insurance, paying privately is always an option.
If your plan isn't on the list
You're welcome to pay privately. Some PPO plans reimburse part of the cost of seeing an out-of-network therapist, and if you'd like to try that, just ask and I'll give you a superbill, which is a detailed receipt you can submit to your insurance company yourself.
Paying for sessions
What I take
Payment is due at each session. I take credit and debit cards, including HSA and FSA cards, along with checks and cash. If you're paying cash, please bring the exact amount, because I don't keep change on hand.
Cancellations
Life happens, and I'd rather you let me know if something comes up than try to make a session work when you don't have the time or space to be present. I ask for 24 business hours' notice to cancel or reschedule. For a Monday session, that means canceling by the same time on Friday, not over the weekend. Cancellations with less notice, as well as missed sessions, are charged the full private pay session rate of $150.
Your right to a Good Faith Estimate
Under the No Surprises Act, if you aren't using insurance or you're paying privately, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of what your care will cost. You can ask me for one before you schedule, and if you're ever billed at least $400 more than your estimate, you can dispute the bill. You can learn more at cms.gov/nosurprises.
FREE CHECK-IN · ABOUT 3 MINUTES
Your nervous system may be trying to warn you.
If rest hasn't been fixing the tired, it may be worth a closer look. The free check-in takes about 3 minutes, and at the end you'll get a guide with practical ways to help your body settle.
Educational, not a diagnosis. Your answers are never saved.
Questions about cost
Do you take my insurance?
I'm in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna and Curative. If you have a different plan, you can pay privately and ask me for a superbill to submit for out-of-network reimbursement.
How often will I come?
Most people start weekly, because that's what gives the work some momentum. As things settle, we'll talk about spacing sessions out, and that's a decision we make together.
Can I use my HSA or FSA card?
Yes, both work.
Can my first session be a walk and talk?
Not quite yet. The first few sessions go best somewhere private where we can really get a picture of what's going on, so walk and talk sessions open up once we've been working together for a bit.
Can I switch from insurance to private pay later?
Yes. Some people start with insurance and switch later for more flexibility or more privacy, and we can talk about it whenever it comes up.
Is the consult really free?
Yes. It's a 15-minute phone call, and you don't need to have your whole story figured out or feel any pressure to book afterward.
The first step doesn't cost anything.
A free 15-minute consult is a low-stakes way to talk through what's going on and ask the money questions you didn't want to put in an email. You'll leave knowing whether working together feels like a fit.
In person at 1422 Main Street, Suite 213, Southlake, TX 76092 · Online anywhere in Texas
Let's work together
Let's Work Together
Let's Work Together
In person or online
1422 Main Street, Suite 213
Southlake, TX 76092
Online sessions anywhere in Texas
You send a note, I reply within two business days.
