One of the most common questions people ask before starting therapy is a simple one: Will my insurance pay for this?
It’s a fair question — and one that shouldn’t be a barrier to getting support. At Kenyatta Black Counseling (KBC) in Arlington, TX, we’ve made it a priority to accept a wide range of insurance plans so that more people in the DFW area and across Texas can access the care they need without the financial stress.
Here’s a plain-language breakdown of how insurance and therapy work in Texas, what KBC accepts, what it actually covers, and what to do if you’re not sure.
Does Health Insurance Cover Mental Health Therapy in Texas?
Yes — in most cases. Under federal law (specifically the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act), insurance plans that cover mental health services must do so at the same level they cover medical and surgical care. This means your deductible, copays, and out-of-pocket limits for therapy should be comparable to what you’d pay to see a primary care doctor or specialist.
In practical terms, this means:
- Most major insurance plans do cover outpatient therapy, including individual counseling, couples counseling, and teletherapy
- Coverage is typically subject to your deductible and copay or coinsurance
- You may need a referral depending on your plan type (HMO vs. PPO)
- Sessions may be limited per year depending on your specific plan
- Your therapist must be in-network for your plan to get the full benefit
The best way to know exactly what your plan covers is to call the member services number on the back of your insurance card and ask specifically about “outpatient mental health benefits.”
Insurance Plans Accepted at KBC
Kenyatta Black Counseling is in-network with the following insurance providers:
- Aetna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna Healthcare
- Cook Children’s Health Plan
- Curative
- Friday Health Plans
- Lyra Health
- Molina Healthcare
- Scott & White Health Plan
- Superior HealthPlan
- TRICARE
- UnitedHealthcare
- WellPoint
If you see your plan on this list, our team can help you verify your specific benefits before your first appointment. Just reach out before you book and we’ll walk you through it.
How to Use Your Insurance at KBC: Step by Step
Using insurance for therapy can feel complicated the first time — but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Check that KBC is in-network with your plan. Having a plan we accept doesn’t always guarantee we’re in-network — insurance networks can vary by product tier or region. Call the member services number on your insurance card, give them KBC’s NPI number (or our name and address), and confirm we’re in-network under your specific plan.
Step 2: Ask about your outpatient mental health benefits. When you call, ask specifically: “What are my outpatient mental health benefits? Do I have a deductible, and has it been met? What is my copay or coinsurance per session? Is there a session limit per year?” Write down what you’re told and the name of the representative you spoke with.
Step 3: Complete KBC’s new client paperwork. The first page of our new client intake forms is designed to capture all the insurance information we need to verify your benefits. We’ll confirm coverage on our end before your first session.
Step 4: Show up and start healing. From there, we handle the billing. You’ll pay your copay or coinsurance at the time of your session, and we submit the claim to your insurance company directly.
What Insurance Typically Won’t Cover — And What to Know
While most plans cover individual therapy, there are some things worth knowing:
Couples counseling is often not covered by insurance unless one partner has a diagnosable mental health condition that is the clinical focus of treatment. If you’re seeking couples therapy for relationship enrichment without a formal diagnosis, you may need to pay out of pocket.
A diagnosis is required. For insurance to pay for therapy, your therapist must assign a clinical diagnosis (such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, or ADHD). This is a normal, standard part of using insurance for mental health services — but it’s worth understanding before you start.
Your diagnosis becomes part of your medical record. Once your insurance company receives a claim, that information — including your diagnosis and session notes — may be submitted to the national Medical Information Bureau (MIB), a database used by over 700 insurance companies. This information can potentially affect future insurance applications or certain employment situations (such as government roles, military service, or positions requiring security clearances).
This isn’t a reason to avoid insurance — millions of people use it for therapy every year without any issues. But it’s information you deserve to have upfront.
Considering Self-Pay? Here’s What That Looks Like at KBC
Some clients prefer not to use insurance — and that’s a completely valid choice. Reasons people choose self-pay include:
- Wanting to avoid a diagnosis being recorded
- Preferring to keep therapy entirely private
- Having a high deductible that makes self-pay more cost-effective
- Wanting more flexibility in session frequency, length, or focus without insurance restrictions
At KBC, self-pay sessions range from $60 to $120 per session, depending on the clinician and service type. This is a competitive rate for quality, licensed therapy in the DFW area, and it ensures you retain full privacy and control over your care.
What If I Don’t Have Insurance?
Not having insurance doesn’t mean therapy is out of reach. Options to explore include:
- Medicaid in Texas — If you qualify, Medicaid (including STAR and CHIP plans like Molina, Superior HealthPlan, and Cook Children’s, all of which KBC accepts) may cover therapy with little to no out-of-pocket cost
- KBC’s self-pay rates — Affordable sessions starting at $60 make ongoing care accessible
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) — Many employers offer a limited number of free therapy sessions through an EAP, completely separate from your health insurance. Check with your HR department
- Lyra Health — If your employer offers Lyra Health as a benefit, KBC accepts it. Lyra is a mental health platform offered by many large employers that often covers sessions at low or no cost to you
Teletherapy and Insurance Coverage in Texas
Good news: most insurance plans that cover in-person therapy also cover teletherapy — and KBC offers virtual sessions to clients anywhere in Texas. If you’re in Dallas, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, Irving, or elsewhere in the state, you can access KBC’s licensed therapists without traveling to our Arlington office.
After the expansion of telehealth coverage during and after the pandemic, most major insurers — including all of the plans KBC accepts — now cover video-based therapy sessions on par with in-person visits.
Ready to Check Your Coverage?
We know navigating insurance can feel like one more barrier between you and the support you need. Our team at KBC is here to help make it as simple as possible.
Here’s how to take the next step:
- Call us at 469-490-1442 — we can help verify your benefits before your first appointment
- Visit our insurance page at kenyattablacklpc.com/insurance for the full list of accepted plans
- Request an appointment at kenyattablacklpc.com/contact-us
KBC is currently accepting new clients — in person in Arlington, TX and virtually across the state.
📍 3939 W Green Oaks Blvd, Ste 214, Arlington, TX 76016 📞 469-490-1442 ✉️ hello@kenyattablackcounseling.com
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or clinical advice. Insurance coverage varies by plan. Always verify your specific benefits directly with your insurance provider.
