Stephanie Butler, trauma-trained therapist in Shalimar, Florida, talking with a client on her office couch over coffee, illustrating the personalized care described in her blog about private-pay therapy.

Let’s be honest: therapy is a big investment, emotionally, financially, and energetically. So it’s understandable to wonder:

“Why wouldn’t a therapist take my insurance?”

But here’s a better question:

What kind of therapy are you really getting when insurance is in charge?

I’ve worked in those systems. I’ve done the diagnosis codes, the treatment plans that get “approved,” the paperwork justifying why someone deserves to keep healing. I’ve watched good therapists burn out trying to fight insurance bureaucracy. And I’ve seen clients shortchanged, stuck in surface-level care that never actually gets to the root.

So no, I don’t take insurance. Because I don’t believe healing should come with red tape.

Therapy That Actually Works, Not Just Therapy That’s “Covered”

When therapy goes through insurance, the company becomes a third party in your healing process. They decide:

How many sessions you get
What kind of therapy is “allowed”
Whether your pain is “serious enough” to be treated

That’s not healing. That’s checkbox care.

When you work with me, your therapy is:

Private — your diagnosis doesn’t go on your permanent medical record
Customized — no cookie-cutter treatment plans
Efficient — we don’t drag things out just to “meet the hour”
Real — we address the root, not just the symptoms

Who I Work Best With

I’m not the right fit for everyone, and I’m okay with that.

I’m probably not the therapist you’ll see weekly just to vent or “talk it out.” I go deeper. I work with people ready for real change. My clients are often:

Done with surface-level therapy
Burned out from perfectionism, people-pleasing, or chronic overthinking
Looking for a trauma-trained, nervous-system-based approach
Ready to do the work, even when it’s uncomfortable
Craving clarity, movement, and meaningful progress

Many clients tell me, after just one session, "Oh, this is what therapy is supposed to feel like." I’ve heard things like, "I’ve never actually worked with a therapist who gets it like you do," and "The feedback you gave me changed my life." That’s not about ego, that’s about experience, intention, and doing the work that actually creates transformation.

What You’re Actually Paying For

You’re not paying for 60 minutes of conversation. You’re investing in real, lasting change with someone who brings the full weight of expertise, training, and presence to every session.

Stephanie Butler, trauma-trained therapist, sitting relaxed in her thoughtfully designed Shalimar, Florida office, ready to welcome therapy clients — reflecting the calming, personalized experience described in her blog about private-pay care.

Here’s what that looks like:

20+ years of clinical experience working with complex trauma, anxiety, and perfectionism
Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) – a credential held by therapists who meet the highest national standards for education, training, and ethics
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Supervisor (LMHC-S) – which means I not only practice, I train and supervise other clinicians
Certified Master’s Level Addiction Professional (MCAP) – recognizing advanced competence in trauma and co-occurring issues
Advanced training in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) – a cutting-edge, neurobiologically based trauma therapy
A practice built on clinical excellence, integrity, and real results, not trends or gimmicks

This isn’t basic, entry-level therapy. This is intentional, high-impact healing designed for people who are ready.

Let’s Talk Money: Insurance Isn’t Always Cheaper

Even with insurance, you may still:

Pay $30–$60 co-pays
Meet deductibles of $1,000–$5,000
Hit limits on session numbers or need pre-approvals
Get stuck with a diagnosis that follows you for life

And what’s the result?

Many clients have spent $40/week for years, only to stay stuck in the same cycles. That adds up to thousands with little actual change.

Now imagine what could shift with 3–6 months of focused, trauma-trained therapy that actually works.

Private pay isn’t about luxury. It’s about efficiency, depth, and lasting results.

Confidentiality Matters More Than You Think

Most people don’t realize that to use insurance, you must receive a mental health diagnosis. That becomes part of your permanent health record, and it can impact:

Life insurance
Disability claims
Long-term care eligibility

I’ve had clients denied coverage later in life simply because they saw a therapist through insurance.

With private pay, your healing stays private.

Burned-Out Therapists Help No One

Insurance doesn’t just shortchange clients. It exhausts therapists. Low rates, endless paperwork, and pressure to overbook all lead to one thing:

Burnout.

I’ve chosen a different path.
One where I can be grounded, clear, and fully present.
One where I can actually do the work, not just clock hours.

When you walk into my office, I’m not juggling billing codes or racing the clock.
I’m with you. Focused. Attuned. Invested.

Here’s an article published by The American Psychological Association in December 2024, How insurance woes are impacting mental health care.

The Bigger Picture: Freedom, Privacy, and Care That Actually Heals

When you pay out of pocket:

You choose the therapist based on fit, not network
You protect your privacy
You set the pace
You invest in change, not just coping

And you get a therapist who can keep doing this work for the long haul, because she’s not burned out or boxed in.

Ready for Therapy That Feels Different?

At Clarity Counseling & Wellness, I work with adults in Fort Walton Beach & Shalimar who are ready to move forward, not just vent or survive.

If you’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t stick…
If you’re tired of feeling like too much or not enough…
If you want therapy that actually works…

You’re in the right place.

About the Author

Stephanie Butler, trauma-trained therapist in a lush garden setting in Shalimar, Florida, author of the blog post explaining why she doesn’t accept insurance for therapy.

Stephanie A. Butler, LMHC-S, NCC, MCAP, is a seasoned therapist with over 20 years of clinical experience. She specializes in helping high-achieving adults move beyond anxiety, self-doubt, and trauma through advanced trauma therapies like Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). Stephanie owns Clarity Counseling & Wellness in Shalimar, FL, where she offers in-person sessions and virtual therapy throughout Florida. To learn more or request a free consultation, visit the contact page or email Stephanie@clarityonthecoast.com.

Ready to Invest in Yourself Without the Red Tape?

Therapy doesn't have to come with restrictions, delays, or diagnoses that follow you. At Clarity Counseling & Wellness, I offer solutions-focused trauma therapy and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) in Fort Walton Beach and Shalimar for adults who are ready for real, lasting change.

👉 Schedule your free 15-minute consultation today and take the first step toward therapy that honors your privacy, your pace, and your goals.