I think therapists forget how hard it is for the average person to find and select a therapist.
We spend a lot of our time with colleagues. We have a strong network of therapists we refer to and trust. Many of us even have our own therapist with whom we are in regular contact.
The average person, however, doesn’t know where to start, what to ask, or even where to look. That is, if therapists even return their calls.
(Side note: At Prospect Therapy we make every effort to get back to you within 3 business days at the most, often sooner. Weekends don’t count.)
In many respects, private therapy practices are the Rolls Royce of mental health care.
I don’t mean slow moving and reserved for old money. Although it can be that.
What I mean is, somewhere along the way, having a private, dedicated therapist available to you became a luxury.
With insurance rates getting higher and coverage getting lower, with big tech companies leaking protected health information and client data, and with mental health apps trying to use chat features and guided meditations to replace a therapeutic relationship, private practice can seem like a clunky, expensive option.
And with all the choices available now, it may not be the option for you.
By understanding the advantages of private practice, individuals can make informed decisions to support their mental health journey. Let's delve into the valuable reasons why private practice psychotherapy services provide a secure and confidential environment for your personal growth.
Tailored Therapy Treatment and Personal Connection
One of the key advantages of private practice psychotherapy services is the highly personalized and individualized treatment experience it offers. Private practice therapists have the flexibility to tailor their approaches to suit each client's unique needs, leading to more effective outcomes. This customization is made possible by the deep connections formed between therapists and clients, fostering a strong therapeutic alliance, as well as the lack of interference from insurance and managed care interests.
Insurance companies offer therapists a contract that not only dictates what they can charge, but also how often they can see you, for how long, how they choose to treat you, and even what they can treat.
This means therapists may be obligated to provide insurance with your private medical health records in order to be compensated, and that those records may be used in legal proceedings or to preclude individuals from obtaining future coverage. (I don’t know how common this is, but it is just a possibility.) So because of your anxiety, you may be considered “too ill” to qualify for certain coverage. But if you’re “not ill enough,” then they may decide not to cover your therapy at all.
Without the interference of insurance, therapists are still obligated to treat their clients ethically. They still need to keep adequate records, justify their treatment recommendations, and check in on progress to make sure therapy is effective. But instead of reporting to insurance, they report to their client.
Therapists are able to be more flexible about the frequency, duration, and type of therapy they decide to use in collaboration with their client.
This also means that therapists and clients need to make sure they are the right fit. You don’t want to stick with someone who isn’t helping you just because they take your insurance. And therapists should be able to refer a client out if they don’t think they can help, even if under contract with an insurance company.
Isn’t it a client’s worst nightmare to have a therapist who works with them because they are forced to?
The trust and rapport developed within the private practice setting significantly enhance the therapeutic process and usually mean better outcomes for everyone involved.
*For the record, every insurance company is different and has their own requirements, so please check with yours and feel free to ask them questions based on this information.
Enhanced Privacy and Confidentiality in therapy
Continuing with this thread, it’s not just insurance that may see private health records. At least in those cases, records are openly requested routinely for the purposes of verifying coverage.
Let’s not even talk about the data leaks and sharing of protected health information by large mental health tech companies.
Seriously, let’s not talk about it. I won’t name them because I don’t want them coming after me. But I encourage you to do your own research before selecting a large mental health company to be the over-seer of your mental health care.
It’s true that even with private therapy, there is a chance that your records will be seen by someone other than you or your therapist. Your therapist may have a clinical supervisor, a licensed clinician held to strict legal and ethical guidelines and required to oversee your records. If legally compelled by a court order, and sometimes by a subpoena, your records may be seen by others.
But even in those cases, several steps need to be taken, out in the open, and even if your consent is not required, your therapist will still bring it to your attention so you’re not surprised.
That’s not the same as a data leak.
Private practice therapists adhere to strict ethical guidelines and professional standards to protect their clients' privacy. They understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality and take great care to safeguard personal information, even in cases where they technically may not have to. This commitment to privacy provides clients with the assurance that their sensitive information is handled with the utmost discretion and respect.
Some may argue that because it is more private, clients can feel safer to be more vulnerable and get more out of therapy. It doesn’t mean you’ll speed through the process, but it hopefully means you can feel more confident in your therapist because you are choosing them, without interference.
Which brings me to my next point:
Trust and Long-Term Relationship Building in Therapy
Depending on their style of therapy, private practice therapists often prioritize building long-term relationships with their clients. Through consistent and ongoing therapy sessions, they establish a foundation of trust and understanding. This trusting bond enables clients to share their deepest concerns and challenges, knowing that their therapist will maintain confidentiality.
In insurance-based therapy or therapy apps, clients may encounter frequent changes in therapists or limited continuity of care.
When using therapy apps that offer chat or text features, or even pre-recorded meditations, it can be hard for a client to connect to their provider. I’ve also heard horror stories of therapists being incentivized (paid) by word count or number of messages. Or having to be available during long shifts, sometimes while working other jobs.
I’m not hating on these apps. They make mental health care accessible, and sometimes it’s preferable to have that type of therapeutic contact. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, texting someone might be all you are interested in. And a stranger (therapist) may be more appealing than a friend or family member.
Private practice therapy, however, generally offers the opportunity to work with the same therapist throughout the treatment journey, fostering a deeper therapeutic connection. This continuity enhances the effectiveness of therapy and allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the client's unique circumstances.
Choosing a Private Practice Therapist
Of course, none of these is guaranteed. Even if you have a long, wonderful relationship with a private practice therapist, they may not hit the mark relationship-wise, they may leave jobs or not see you anymore, they may make mistakes, or have to break confidentiality.
What your therapist’s fee says about them.
However, knowing more about what private therapy offers, and what goes into it, can help you make a decision. It can also explain why it costs what it costs.
Private practice psychotherapy services not only provide tailored treatment and personal connections but also prioritize the utmost privacy and confidentiality. This secure environment allows individuals to explore their innermost thoughts and emotions without reservation, fostering personal growth and healing. By choosing private practice therapy, individuals embrace a therapeutic experience that values their privacy, respects their confidentiality, and encourages long-term relationships. Embrace the empowering choice of private practice to embark on a transformative therapeutic journey while feeling safe and supported.
Private psychotherapy services in Long Beach and online therapy in California
Prospect Therapy is a queer + trans affirming therapy practice based in Long Beach, CA, with a focus on mental health for first-generation, immigrant, and bicultural communities. We continue to provide online therapy for a variety of mental wellness and relationship concerns to clients throughout the state of California. Learn more about how we bring lived experience to our work with people of all ages in our communities by requesting a consultation below.
Read more about Therapy for Anxiety here.