Out-of-Network Therapy in California: Why It’s Worth It for Some Clients
Part 1: Understanding What Out-of-Network Really Means
For many Californians, the first question they ask when looking for a therapist is:
“Do you take my insurance?”
It makes sense — therapy is an investment, and people naturally want to use the benefits they have.
But here’s what most clients don’t realize:
Sometimes the best therapist for you won’t be “in-network.”
And choosing an out-of-network therapist can open doors to better care, more privacy, and more flexibility than staying in-network ever could.
At CEREVITY, we are private-pay only — but many of our clients submit receipts to their insurance for partial reimbursement.
This means you can get the therapist you want, the privacy you need, and still potentially recover some of the cost.
📞 Call (562) 295-6650 or visit https://cerevity.com/get-started
We provide out-of-network therapy across California — private, flexible, and focused entirely on your needs.
🌟 What Does “Out-of-Network” Mean?
When a therapist is in-network, it means:
They’ve signed a contract with your insurance.
They agree to accept the insurance company’s rates and rules.
They bill the insurance directly for your sessions.
When a therapist is out-of-network, it means:
They do not have a contract with your insurance.
You pay for therapy directly (private-pay).
You may be able to submit “superbills” (receipts) to your insurance for partial reimbursement.
👔 Why Choose an Out-of-Network Therapist?
There are three big reasons clients in California decide to go out-of-network:
1️⃣ Better Fit
The “in-network” list doesn’t guarantee the right therapist for you.
Going out-of-network means you can choose the therapist who actually fits your needs — not just the one who signed the insurance contract.
2️⃣ More Privacy
Insurance-based therapy requires a diagnosis.
Out-of-network private-pay therapy means:
✅ No diagnosis code in your file (unless you want one for reimbursement).
✅ No insurance company requesting notes.
✅ No permanent record unless you submit one.
3️⃣ More Flexibility
Insurance companies set limits on:
Session length (usually 50 minutes).
Number of sessions per year.
What kind of therapy they’ll cover.
Out-of-network therapy removes those limitations — so you can have longer sessions, intensives, and therapy tailored to your life.
🧠 Why In-Network Isn’t Always “Better”
Many clients assume in-network means:
Cheaper
Easier
Better
But here’s the truth:
In-network therapists are often overbooked because of low insurance rates.
Waitlists can stretch for months.
You may end up with a therapist who isn’t the right fit — simply because they’re “covered.”
Sometimes, the therapist you really need is out-of-network.
📞 Call (562) 295-6650 or visit https://cerevity.com/get-started
Going out-of-network isn’t just about who takes your insurance.
It’s about choosing the therapist who can help you the most.
👉 Part 2 will cover:
How out-of-network reimbursement works
When it makes sense to go out-of-network
The benefits beyond insurance
How to get started with therapy anywhere in California
Out-of-Network Therapy in California: Why It’s Worth It for Some Clients
Part 2: How to Use Out-of-Network Therapy — and Why It’s Worth It
In Part 1, we broke down what out-of-network therapy really means and why so many Californians are choosing it.
Now let’s talk about how out-of-network therapy actually works, when it’s worth it, and how you can make it work for you — even if you have insurance.
📞 Call (562) 295-6650 or visit https://cerevity.com/get-started
CEREVITY offers private-pay therapy statewide — and many clients get partial reimbursement by using their out-of-network benefits.
🗓 How Out-of-Network Therapy Works
It’s simpler than most people think.
Here’s the process:
🔹 1. You Pay the Therapist Directly
At CEREVITY, sessions are private-pay only:
🕒 30-minute brief support session — $95
💬 50-minute standard session — $175
⚡ 3-hour Accelerated Therapy session — $495
(Pricing for couples/families is separate.)
🔹 2. You Receive a “Superbill”
This is a specialized receipt with all the info your insurance company needs (therapist info, date, CPT code, rate paid).
🔹 3. You Submit the Superbill to Insurance
If your plan has out-of-network benefits, your insurance company may reimburse you directly for part of the session fee.
🧠 Why Going Out-of-Network Is Often Worth It
Many clients assume out-of-network therapy is “too expensive” — but here’s what they discover:
✅ Reimbursement can be significant.
Some insurance plans reimburse 50–80% of session costs.
✅ You get to choose your therapist.
You’re not limited to whoever’s “in-network” — you choose the right fit for you.
✅ Your therapy stays private.
Unless you submit for reimbursement, no diagnosis is required.
If you do submit, we can discuss exactly what’s shared so you stay in control.
👔 When Does Out-of-Network Therapy Make the Most Sense?
You can’t find the right therapist in-network.
You want longer sessions or weekend intensives that insurance won’t cover.
You want full privacy. (Insurance can still request notes from in-network providers.)
You value flexibility over bureaucracy.
📈 The Benefits Beyond Insurance
Choosing an out-of-network therapist isn’t just about reimbursement.
It’s about:
Access. No months-long waitlists for an “in-network” slot.
Quality. Therapists aren’t forced to take on too many clients to make insurance rates work.
Freedom. You can do 75-minute sessions, 3-hour intensives, or whatever you need — not just what insurance approves.
🚩 Signs You Might Want Out-of-Network Therapy
You’ve been on an in-network waitlist for months.
You’ve seen in-network therapists but never felt the right connection.
You want therapy that’s more flexible, more private, and more focused on you.
✅ How to Start Out-of-Network Therapy in California
1️⃣ Go to https://cerevity.com/get-started — fill out our quick, secure intake.
2️⃣ Book your session — 30, 50, or 180 minutes.
3️⃣ Request a superbill — we’ll prepare it for you after your session.
4️⃣ Submit to insurance (optional) — get partial reimbursement if your plan allows.
📞 Call (562) 295-6650 or visit https://cerevity.com/get-started
Going out-of-network isn’t about paying more — it’s about getting better therapy, on your terms, with more control.
