Therapists Who Take Insurance in Colorado Springs: What Clients Wish They Knew Before Starting Therapy

Why understanding deductibles, co-pays, authorizations, and coverage rules matters more than people realize.

Finding a therapist who takes insurance in Colorado Springs shouldn’t feel like a scavenger hunt. Yet most people start therapy without fully understanding what their insurance actually covers. They know they have a plan, they know it has “mental health benefits,” and they know they want help — but the fine print often blindsides them.

At Dynamic Counseling Colorado Springs, we take insurance because we believe therapy should be accessible, not a luxury. Over and over, clients tell us, “I wish someone had explained this before I started.”

This guide breaks down the most important things clients wish they knew from the beginning — without the jargon or frustration.

1. Your Deductible Matters More Than Almost Anything Else

Almost every client is told the same thing by their insurance:

“Yes, counseling is covered.”

What they aren’t told is that covered doesn’t mean free.

Here’s the reality:

If you haven’t met your deductible, insurance may allow therapy… but you pay the contracted rate until the deductible is met.

Common surprise clients experience:

They think therapy will be a $20 copay, and instead the first several sessions cost $100–$200 until the deductible resets.

Why this matters:

• Some deductibles reset every January.

• Some reset on your employer’s fiscal year.

• Some require thousands of dollars out-of-pocket before insurance contributes anything.

Knowing your deductible up front puts you in control. It prevents sticker shock and allows you to plan for your care rather than quit halfway through because the cost caught you off guard.

2. Your Co-Pay and Co-Insurance Aren’t the Same Thing

People often assume therapy will cost the same amount each session. It might — but not always.

Co-pay:

A fixed amount (e.g., $25 per session), only if your plan uses co-pays for mental health services.

Co-insurance:

A percentage of the session cost (often 10–40%) after your deductible is met.

Many clients think they have a co-pay, but really they have co-insurance. And that difference can change your total cost significantly.

If your plan says something like:

• “70/30 split after deductible”

• “Member responsible for 20% of allowable amount”

…you’re looking at co-insurance, not a co-pay.

This is one of the biggest sources of confusion, and it’s avoidable when explained upfront.

3. Insurance Sometimes Limits How Many Sessions You Can Have

This is something many clients never expect:

Insurance can place restrictions on the number or frequency of sessions.

Common examples:

✓ Limit on sessions per year

Some plans allow a set number of therapy sessions annually (e.g., 20).

✓ Limit on sessions per week or per day

Many plans allow only one session per day — no more than that, even if you’re working through trauma or attending couples + individual work.

Some plans also flag multiple sessions per week as “not medically necessary” unless pre-authorization is obtained.

✓ Requirements for medical necessity

If your symptoms don’t meet their checklist, insurance may reduce coverage or deny sessions altogether.

Because we deal with insurance daily, we can help clients understand these boundaries before they cause frustration.

4. Your Therapist Can’t “Just Bill It Differently”

Clients sometimes ask:

“Can you just use a different code so insurance covers it?”

If only it were that easy.

Mental health providers must:

• Use accurate diagnostic codes

• Use appropriate session codes

• Document medical necessity

• Only bill for therapy actually provided

We can’t change codes to make insurance approve a service they’ve decided not to cover. That creates legal and ethical issues — and insurance companies are very strict about it.

We can, however, help you understand what codes your insurance accepts and what documentation they require.

5. Couples Therapy Is Usually Not Covered

This one constantly surprises people.

Most insurance companies do not consider couples counseling “medically necessary.” They see it as educational or relational, not medical.

Insurance may cover couples work if:

• One partner has a diagnosis

• The therapy is focused on treating that diagnosis

• The couples work is clinically tied to the treatment plan

But as a general rule:

Insurance doesn’t cover marriage counseling unless it’s part of a mental health diagnosis treatment.

Being honest about this helps clients decide whether to use insurance or pay the private rate for couples work.

6. Your Plan May Require Pre-Authorization

Some insurance plans require:

• Authorization before your first session

• Authorization after a certain number of sessions

• Updated clinical notes

• Treatment plans submitted periodically

If pre-auth isn’t completed, the claim gets denied — and clients end up responsible for the full charge.

Most clients have no idea whether their plan requires this, so we check on their behalf whenever possible.

7. Insurance Doesn’t Automatically Cover Every Type of Therapy

Certain modalities are broadly covered, and others aren’t.

Typically covered:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• EMDR

• Trauma therapy

• Anxiety and depression treatment

• Family therapy when medically necessary

Often not covered:

• Pure couples counseling without diagnosis

• Coaching

• Career counseling

• Certain assessments

• Sessions without a diagnosable mental health condition

We always explain this clearly so clients aren’t blindsided by denials.

8. Every Plan — Even Within the Same Insurance Company — Is Different

This is the biggest misconception:

“I have Blue Cross, so therapy is covered the same way for everyone.”

Not even close.

Every employer chooses their own:

• Deductible

• Co-pay

• Co-insurance

• Session limits

• Covered providers

• Authorization requirements

• Telehealth rules

Two people sitting next to each other with the SAME insurance logo on their cards can have completely different benefits.

This is why it’s essential for clients to check their specific plan details or let our office help them navigate it.

9. At Dynamic Counseling Colorado Springs, We Help Make This Easier

Insurance is confusing — but your therapist shouldn’t be.

At Dynamic Counseling:

• We verify benefits when possible

• We explain your expected cost clearly

• We help with authorization and paperwork

• We accept a wide range of insurance plans

• We believe therapy should be accessible

Clients tell us that understanding their benefits before starting care helped them stay consistent, emotionally prepared, and financially grounded.

When people know what to expect, therapy becomes less stressful and more effective.

Final Thoughts

Therapy is one of the most meaningful investments a person can make in themselves. But the financial part matters — especially when insurance rules can feel vague and overwhelming.

Knowing your deductible, co-pay or co-insurance, session limits, and coverage rules empowers you to start therapy with clarity instead of confusion.

If you’re looking for therapists who take insurance in Colorado Springs, or you want help understanding your plan, our team at Dynamic Counseling Colorado Springs is here to support you from the very first step.