Rates & Insurance | Stafford & Associates Counseling
Rates & Insurance

Investing in your mental health

Transparent pricing, accepted insurance plans, and flexible payment options.

Your mental health deserves the same care as your physical health

Therapy isn't just an appointment — it's an investment in lasting change, helping you build resilience, clarity, and balance. Our experienced therapists provide compassionate, personalized care across the Lake Norman and Charlotte, NC areas, guiding you through life's challenges and empowering you to create a healthier, more fulfilling future.

Our Rates

Standard rates — self-pay

Initial Intake

Individual Therapy Intake$150
Couples Therapy Intake$200

Psychological Testing

Tests & Assessments$200

Therapy Sessions

Individual Therapy$120
Individual Therapy with Dr. Nanci Stafford$150
Family Therapy$180

An initial phone consultation is always free. Standard rates are shown before insurance benefits are applied and are subject to change without notice.

Cancellation Policy

Life can be unpredictable. To best serve all clients, we ask for at least 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule. Missed appointments or changes with less than 24 hours' notice are charged at the full session rate.

Payment Options

We strive to make therapy accessible and affordable, whether you use insurance or pay out-of-pocket.

Cash Check Visa Mastercard Discover HSA / FSA CareCredit

Good Faith Estimate

You have the right to receive a "Good Faith Estimate" of expected costs before beginning treatment if you're uninsured or choose not to use insurance. For details, visit cms.gov/nosurprises or ask our team.

Couples Intensives vs. Couples Therapy

Weekly Couples Therapy ($190/session) works gradually, session by session. A Couples Intensive condenses that work into focused, multi-hour blocks over a few days — ideal for couples in crisis or who want momentum fast. Intensives are priced separately. Learn about Couples Intensives →

Please note: we do not bill insurance for couples therapy.

Payment Policies

Payment is required at the start of each session. To keep therapy accessible and scheduling fair for everyone, we ask that balances stay current — if your account balance exceeds two sessions, we'll pause new appointments until payment is made.

Insurance Information

Using your insurance

Some portion of the cost of our sessions may be covered by your health insurance plan. To fully understand what benefits apply, contact your insurance company directly. Helpful questions to ask:

  • Does my plan include mental health benefits?
  • What deductible applies, and how much remains?
  • Is there a limit to the number of covered sessions?
  • What is the coverage amount per session?
  • Is approval from my primary care physician required?

We provide this information to make your experience as smooth as possible, but coverage may change over time. Because every plan is unique, we encourage you to confirm your benefits directly with your provider — clients are ultimately responsible for understanding and managing their own coverage.

Accepted Insurance Plans

  • Aetna
  • Aetna State Health Plan
  • Ambetter*
  • Americhoice*
  • Cigna
  • BCBS-Commercial
  • Blue Home
  • Blue Value
  • Blue Local
  • Blue HPN (Atrium)
  • Blue Options
  • Blue Advantage
  • Blue High Performance
  • Blue Classic
  • Blue Care
  • Healthy Blue-Medicaid*
  • United Health Care
  • MedCost
  • Medicare Part-B**
  • Optum
  • Partners Medicaid

*Not all therapists.  **Limited openings with two therapists. Plans are subject to change — please confirm your coverage directly with your provider.

Out-of-Network Options

If we're not in-network with your provider, you may still be able to use your benefits. Many plans include out-of-network coverage that reimburses part of your therapy costs. We'll provide a detailed invoice (a "superbill") you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. For more details on insurance and billing, see our FAQs.

See FAQs

Flexible Financing with CareCredit

We accept all major credit cards and offer flexible financing through CareCredit, so you can spread the cost of care over time. Click to learn more or pre-qualify — checking your options won't affect your credit score.

Apply with CareCredit

Have questions about cost or coverage?

Your initial phone consultation is always free. Reach out and we'll help you understand your options before your first session.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Rates and Insurance

Transparent pricing, accepted insurance plans, and flexible payment options.