Frequently Asked Questions

Our team of therapists in North Carolina proudly serve families in the Raleigh Triangle: central Raleigh, Durham, and North Raleigh. Can’t make it to an office? No problem! We also offer telehealth sessions.

1042 Washington Street- Raleigh, NC 27605

1026 Washington Street, Raleigh, NC 27605

3622 Lyckan Parkway, Suite 1003 - Durham, NC 27707

6604 Six Forks Road, Suite 202, Raleigh, NC 27615

Birch Therapy, PLLC is not currently affiliated with any insurance panels and requires payment at the time of service.

While we understand some folks need to use their insurance, we find that private pay therapy in Raleigh, NC allows us to not be limited by insurance panels and diagnosis. Plus our team is able to provide the best support for you through cash based therapy services.

Our fees start at $150 per session.

Session rates vary according to clinicians’ license and experience level.

Reduced fee is available on a limited basis and varies depending on the therapist. If cost is a hindrance to services, please reach out to us to discuss.

Benefits of Self-Pay

When an individual does private pay therapy in Raleigh, NC as opposed to utilizing insurance, both confidentiality and treatment decisions remain solely between you and your therapist. Insurance plans require a diagnosis and additional clinical details to reimburse services and reserve the right to audit your records. Some plans may limit the number or frequency of sessions that are covered rather than allowing these decisions to remain between you and the treating clinician. Furthermore, your entire therapeutic experience including diagnosis is made available to future insurance companies. When utilizing health insurance to pay for therapy you are relinquishing confidentiality, treatment decisions, length of therapy and other pertinent decisions to your insurance company.

Reimbursement Options

If you wish to use health insurance, you may be able to use your out-of-network insurance benefits to offset the cost of services. If you wish, we will provide a Superbill in exchange for your payment which you can then submit to your insurance company to request reimbursement for some or all of the session fee. Some insurance companies allow clients to apply psychotherapy fees to their yearly out-of-pocket deductible. To determine if you have out-of-network benefits, check your company’s website or call the telephone number on the back of your insurance card. Some employers allow the use of flexible spending accounts, medical savings accounts, or health reimbursement arrangements; call your employer’s human resources or benefits department for more information.

How to Navigate Your Insurance

Step One: Call your insurance company. Their member services number should be on the back of your card.

Step Two: Ask if you have “out of network” benefits for mental health care. They may ask, “outpatient or inpatient?” Working with me is considered outpatient care.

Step Three: Find out if you have a deductible that must be met before coverage kicks in. If so, ask them how much you need to pay before your insurance begins to reimburse you for out-of-pocket fees.

Step Four: Ask how much your plan will reimburse you. Ask the representative, “What is the maximum allowed amount for mental health service code 90834 with a therapist, and what percentage of the maximum allowed amount will my plan pay?” This percentage of the maximum allowed amount is the amount you would receive as reimbursement.

No Surprises Act

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to offer clients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

We meet with clients every day of the week, including weekends, and offer after school and after work hours to best meet the needs of our clients. You can view each therapist’s schedule through our online booking platform here.

We do require 48-hours notice for cancellations in order to avoid the late cancellation/no-show fee to provide as much notice for our waitlist clients.

Please check out our resource page for updated books & podcasts, or follow us on Instagram for the latest from Birch Therapy counselors..

Crisis Mental Health Supports

If you are concerned about your child’s safety in light of their mental health please consider reaching out to mental health crisis provider. You can try to reach me via email, but please remember that I do not offer after hours crisis support and during the business day I am with other clients. Also, if you do not already have an appointments scheduled I may not be able to get you an appointment for up to 2 weeks. There are several options for crisis resources in our area. If you are concerned for your child’s safety do not wait to take action. 

If your mental health emergency is life threatening, always call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room. 

These providers offer 24/7 behavioral health crisis response:

Kids Peace Hope Center - https://www.kidspeace.org/the-hope-center/

400 West Ransom Street, Fuquay-Varina, NC. (877) 888-7849

Monarch Wake Behavioral Health Urgent Care - https://monarchnc.org/behavioral-health-urgent-care/

319 Chapanoke Road, Suite 120
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 703-2845

Holly Hill Children’s Hospital  - https://hollyhillhospital.com/programs-and-services/inpatient-programs/child-and-adolescent/

919-849-5048 - for Urgent Needs

Holly Hill Children’s Campus

201 Michael J. Smith Lane
Raleigh, NC 27610
919-436-3321

Therapeutic Alternatives Mobile Crisis Response

Call the Mobile Crisis Team operated by Therapeutic Alternatives. Substance abuse, mental health crisis, and developmental disability issues. Open 24/7.

1-877-626-1772

When Should You Consider Contacting Mental Health Crisis Support for Your Child or Adolescent?

• Your child has shared a clear plan to harm themselves and you cannot keep them safe at home

• Your child’s emotions and behavior are out of control putting the child or others at risk of harm

• Your child is not in touch with reality or can see or hear things that are not really there

• Your child has attempted to cause themselves serious bodily harm 

• Any other circumstance where you are truly concerned your child is unsafe or a danger to themself or others 

If your child has ingested any drugs, alcohol, or other unknown substances always call 911. 

My Child or Teen is Really Struggling with their Mental Health, but I don’t think it’s a true crisis. What can I do?

• Find any type of safe activity your child might be willing to try to engage in

  • Take a walk

  • Watch their favorite show

  • Jump on the trampoline

• Think of any individuals who might be able to provide your child/teen support

  • Grandparents

  • Friends

• Ensure basic needs are met. Is your child hungry, thirsty, in need of sleep?

• Remind them (and you) that sometimes things feel really hard but that you will keep them safe