Therapy, Assessment, & Consultation faqs

Therapy sessions typically last 45-50 minutes. Occasionally adaptations are made based on clinical needs/framework.

The assessment process begins with an initial planning session (1 hour), and the feedback occurs approximately 4 to 5 weeks later. Each individual session is approximately 1.5-2 hours. 

Following a 15 minute phone consultation, the therapy process begins with an initial session (if the focus is child therapy, then this session includes parents only). Your therapist will then meet with you (or with your child) for two to three sessions to establish rapport, and to assess for presenting concerns. This is followed by a planning session to establish the goals and objectives of therapy moving forward. 

(For Comprehensive Assessments, e.g., learning difference evaluations, social & emotional evaluations) Following a 15 minute phone consultation, the assessment process begins with a planning session to establish the referral question (what question will the assessment help to answer?) and the tools/measures that will be used. This will help determine the number of sessions (usually between 3 to 4), scheduling of those sessions, and an estimate of cost. Once the assessment sessions are completed, a feedback sessions is scheduled (approximately one week after the final testing session). The feedback session is accompanied by a draft of the report. Following the feedback session you will receive a final draft that will include analysis of the data, diagnostic implications, recommendations/accommodations. 

A school admission/entrance evaluation generally requires only an evaluation of cognitive abilities (IQ) and this process involves a 15 minute phone consultation, the assessment itself (1.5-2 hours) and a parent feedback session one week later (accompanied by the report). 

This question is answered here for therapy and here for an assessment.

Depending on age, either the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, 4th edition (WPPSI-IV) or the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 5th edition (WISC-V). Achievement testing is primarily conducted using the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, 3rd edition (WIAT III). The Differential Ability Scales, 2nd edition (DAS-II) and the Woodcock Johnson Tests are also available and used on occasion within the practice. More comprehensive assessments utilize a variety of different measures.

Birch Psychology accepts payment at the time of service (for therapy and consultation). For assessment and group therapy services, payment is due at the beginning of the process.

We are out of network for most insurances.

Our practice's preferred method of payment is ACH (Automated Clearing House) using bank information. This method allows us to process payments efficiently without incurring heavy processing fees. Payment information is saved to our PCI and privacy compliant merchant service. For recurring clients/patients, payment will be processed (at the time of service and with your authorization) using the information saved on file. Alternative methods of payments are also accepted (e.g., Credit, HSA/Flex) and can either be processed manually at each session, or, saved on file with our merchant service. Checks and cash can also be accepted at the time of service. 

Medicaid Services

Most of our clinicians participate (in-network) for therapy services with behavioral health organizations that manage Medicaid for Denver and surrounding Counties. These include Denver Health, CoAccess, CCHA, and Health First. This is only for therapy, and can only be done if Medicaid is the client’s only insurance.

All Others- Out of Network Insurance Reimbursement

We are able to provide invoices that include CPT or procedure codes, diagnostic information, dates of services, and proof of payment for insurance reimbursement. We currently do not participate directly with any private insurance companies.

Please click here to review information on how to preemptively check with your insurance company to determine your out of network coverage for our services, as well as to see the process your insurance company has to submit your invoices when you begin services.

**As a practice that does not accept insurance, nor participate on any insurance panels, we try our best to provide as much support around out of network claims as we can. Unfortunately, we do not have much leverage with the insurance companies, which can sometimes mean reimbursement is not possible. We can ensure that our information is correct and up to date, but are not able to assist further.

As long as your plan has some sort of out of network benefits, this would be covered. I would recommend checking with them.

For therapy, if they ask, the CPT codes used are: 90791, 90834, 90837, and 90846/90847 if there is family or parent work involved.

For assessments, if they ask, the CPT codes used are: 90791, 96130, 96131, 96132, 96133, 96112, 96113, 96136, and 96137. Typically there are several units of each.

A Good Faith Estimate agreement form will be sent for your review following the determination of needs. This will include an estimate of the cost you will pay over the course of your active client period here, which will be based on the estimate of services needed, duration, and potential diagnoses.

Here is some more information about the No Surprises Act, beginning 1/1/2022. This pertains to individuals obtaining medical services without the use of insurance and their rights regarding that.

Notice of Good Faith Estimate

While Birch Psychology clinicians do not accept private insurance, a majority of our clinicians do hold one-third of their available client slots for sliding scale, pro-bono, or Medicaid. Birch Psychology also hosts a training program for both doctoral-level graduate students and postdoctoral clinicians who are supervised by our licensed clinicians and can offer services at a reduced cost.

If you are interested in exploring any of these payment options, please reach out to your clinician or to our practice manager.

Psychotherapy/Consultation:

Fee Variability: Couples, family, and dyadic (parent and child) sessions= +$25/session to the below fees. Parent only sessions excluded from this increase.

For Individual Sessions:

Psychologist Full Fee: $205.00/session

Masters Clinician Full Fee (LPC, MFT, LCSW): $180.00/session

Unlicensed Post-Doctoral Clinician Full Fee (Supervised): $180.00/session

Unlicensed Post-Masters Clinician Full Fee (Supervised): $160.00/session

Unlicensed Doctoral Student Clinician Fee (Supervised): $150.00/session

Unlicensed Masters Student Clinician Fee (Supervised): $130.00/session

* Fee Variability: Clinicians with +10 years post-licensure experience = + $25/session.

Assessment Services

Assessment services vary greatly depending on how extensive the assessment needs are. Brief assessments range from $600 (for intellectual abilities tests, i.e., WISC/WPPSI) to $1,780 (for brief learning assessments). Admissions testing is $600 (IQ only) and $1200 (IQ/Achievement). More extensive assessments range in cost from $2,525-$3,075. Full battery assessments can be up to $6030.

The majority of our assessments can be done with a supervised doctoral extern for an automatic 25% fee reduction.

Please note that costs can vary depending on each individual case, particularly for full battery assessments which span multiple areas of comprehensive evaluation (e.g., social-emotional, attentional, learning/intellectual). The initial interview finalizes the cost of the assessment once the assessment plan has been determined. 

General hourly consultation is $205/session. Educational consultation fees vary depending on the packages selected (which can be discussed at the phone consultation). Please see the educational consulting page to understand the extensive services included in each package.

Sliding scale and pro bono services are available through our practice.