My goal is always to recommend session lengths based on what is clinically appropriate and the structure of therapy is something we will decide together, based on your goals, preferences, and what is most helpful for your particular situation.

 

Some clients prefer traditional weekly sessions, while others find that occasional extended sessions or intensives allow them to work through important material more efficiently. Most insurance plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, cover psychotherapy sessions of 60 minutes, typically once per week. These standard sessions are effective for many people. However, there are many times when longer sessions are clinically helpful. For example:

• Initial assessment meetings are often most effective when scheduled for approximately 90 minutes, allowing adequate time to understand your history, goals, and concerns without feeling rushed.

• EMDR and other trauma-focused approaches can sometimes benefit from extended sessions (90 minutes or longer) so that important therapeutic work can occur without needing to stop mid-process.

• Some clients choose extended sessions or periodic intensives (2–3 hours) when they prefer to work more deeply in fewer visits.

Time beyond what insurance reimburses is considered private pay. My private rate is prorated for additional time. For example, a 90-minute session would include the insurance-covered hour (with your usual copay/coinsurance) plus $75 for the additional 30 minutes.

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If the cost of extended sessions presents a hardship, I encourage you to discuss this with me openly, and we can consider options that are reasonable and sustainable.

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