Can You Get Therapy Covered If You’re Self-Employed or Freelancing?
If you are self-employed or a freelancer, chances are you’ve faced this question at some point:
“Can I actually get therapy covered without an employer-sponsored insurance plan?”
You are not alone. For many entrepreneurs, creatives, consultants, and self-employed workers, finding affordable therapy can feel overwhelming . You might not have a traditional 9-to-5 or HR department to walk you through benefits. You might even be wondering if therapy is something you can consistently afford at all. Here is the good news– you have more options than you might think, even without the standard job or corporate health benefits. In this blog, we are diving into:
How therapy coverage works when you are self - employed.
What your options are for out - of - network reimbursement.
Tools like Thrizer that simplify the process (and reduce costs upfront)
A FREE GUIDE to help you navigate through the insurance process
Let’s break it all down in a way that makes sense.
Why Therapy & Self-Employment is Tricky (But Doable)
Freelancing offers freedom– but also comes with extra responsibilities. One of the biggest burdens is figuring out your own healthcare. You may have bought a plan, joined a freelancer union, or skipped coverage altogether because of the cost. Even if you do have insurance, therapy might still feel financially out of reach.
Why is this?
Your provider might be out-of-network
You may not know what mental health coverage you have
Reimbursement requires paperwork and patience
Paying full cost upfront can put a strain on your monthly income
This is a real barrier, especially when you’re juggling invoices, client work, or creative deadlines. But here’s where things can shift: understanding your out-of-network benefits and using tools designed to work for people like you.
What Are Out-of-Network Benefits?
When therapists don’t accept your insurance directly, it doesn’t mean you are out of luck. Many insurance plans offer out-of-network(OON) benefits, and especially preferred provider organization plans. These benefits reimburse you for part of the session cost, even if the provider isn’t in your network. Here’s how it typically works:
You pay your therapist’s full fee up front.
Your therapist gives you a superbill. (This is a receipt with all the insurance codes).
You submit the superbill to your insurance company.
If you’ve met your deductible, you’ll receive partial reimbursement.
We know this can sound confusing and frustrating when you’re managing everything solo. You may not even know if you have these benefits, or how to use them. That’s why we are her to walk you through.
Thrizer: How It Makes Things Easier
Let’s talk about Thrizer. Thrizer is a revolutionary platform that is taking the headache out of therapy payments. Thrizer is an online service designed to simplify the financial side of therapy. It helps people access therapy more affordably, especially for those with out-of-network benefits. Instead of paying your therapist’s full fee and waiting weeks or months for reimbursement, Thrizer covers the cost up front and only charges you what you actually owe.
How It Works
Here’s an example:
Let’s say your therapist charges $200 a session. Your insurance covers $180. Normally, you would have to pay the full $200 upfront, then wait for the $180 reimbursement from your insurance.
With Thrizer:
You are only charged $20 at the time of the appointment (+ 5% service fee).
Thrizer pays the $180 directly to your therapist.
They wait for insurance to reimburse them, and not you.
And yes– there are no monthly fees. Just the 5% fee on the amount Thrizer fronts you.
How To Get Started With Thrizer
Create an account on the Thrizer website.
Link your insurance so Thrizer can confirm your coverage and automatically submit claims.
Accept your clinician's invite or add them to Thrizer so they can charge you for appointments.
Add a payment method.
Start paying only what you owe– no more insurance phone calls, paying upfront, or delays.
Why This Matter for Entrepreneurs & Creatives
Being your own boss often means taking care of others– your clients, your business, your deadlines. But, who takes care of you?
Therapy offers:
Space to process anxiety, burnout, imposter syndrome, and stress
Tools to manage the emotional rollercoaster of creative work
Support for navigating uncertainty, rejection, and self-doubt
But there is a struggle for therapy to be effective when you are constantly stressed about how to pay for it. By knowing your options and using tools like Thrizer, you take one more barrier off your plate. You get to focus on healing and creating a healthy life, not insurance phone calls.
Putting it All Together: Your Options as a Self-Employed Client
In-Network Therapy
What it Means: Find a therapist who accepts your plan
Pros: Lower out-of-pocket costs
Cons: Can be hard to find availability/preferred therapist may be out-of-network
Out-of-Network with Reimbursement
What it Means: You pay upfront, and submit superbills
Pros: More choice in providers
Cons: Requires more admin and upfront costs
Thrizer
What it Means: You pay only what you owe, Thrizer does the rest
Pros: Easiest, least financial burden
Cons: 5% service fee (no monthly cost)
We know the cost of therapy, and how you will go about paying for it can be overwhelming. If you want to make sense of your benefits, looking to reduce upfront costs, or just want someone to explain this stuff in a simpler form, we created a free, easy-to-follow guide to help you get reimbursed for therapy—without the overwhelm. It breaks down what a superbill is, what to ask your insurance provider, and how tools like Thrizer can simplify the process.
Download our FREE Guide
“Insurance, Superbills & You: How to Get Reimbursed for Therapy”
Click here to grab it now. And if you’re curious about using Thrizer, head over to their site to see how it could make therapy more affordable for you.
Taking care of your mental health when you're self-employed or freelancing shouldn't feel out of reach. Whether you're navigating inconsistent income, high deductibles, or confusing insurance terms, know that you’re not alone—and that there are options. With tools like Thrizer and a better understanding of your out-of-network benefits, therapy can become more accessible and financially sustainable.
The Stress of Accessible Therapy
If you know you are in need of therapy, but the cost is turning you away, you are not alone. It is normal to feel guilt or feel ashamed for worrying about the cost of therapy. This can especially be true if you are juggling an inconsistent income, self-employment taxes, or the unpredictability of freelance life. We want you to know that your financial concerns are valid. Your emotional needs are valid. It is not wrong for wanting both support and sustainability.
It can feel vulnerable to say, “I need help, but I also need it to fit into my life.” That doesn’t make you selfish or “too-much”. At Your Journey Through, we deeply believe that mental healthy care should be accessible, affirming, and inclusive of real-life circumstances while still ensuring your therapist receives the fair compensation they deserve. That’s why we care about guiding you through the process of your options.
Another common barrier we see especially among self-employed individuals, is the pressure to wait until everything is “figured out” financially before starting therapy. But healing doesn’t require perfection. It requires a starting point. Here’s a couple things to keep in mind:
You don’t need to commit to weekly sessions forever– you can switch to biweekly, every 3 weeks, etc.
You don’t have to have all the answers about coverage, we will help you explore your options.
You don’t need to “earn” therapy by hitting a financial milestone. You already deserve support.
Whether you are in a season of burnout, navigating a major life shift, or much more, therapy can meet you exactly where you are. We are here to walk with you.
Your Therapy Coverage in Raleigh, NC
You don’t have to choose between your mental health and your bank account. Whether you have out-of-network benefits or you’re just figuring things out, you deserve support that works with your budget, schedule, and life.
At Your Journey Through, we’re here to help you make therapy accessible and sustainable—no matter your employment status. We’re happy to walk you through what insurance and reimbursement could look like, and whether Thrizer is a good fit for you.
We’re committed to making mental health support flexible and inclusive, no matter your employment status. You don’t have to have it all figured out to get started—you just need a place to begin. If you’re ready to explore therapy that fits your life, we’re here for you. And if you’d like help navigating your benefits, grab our free guide, “Insurance, Superbills & You” to learn how to advocate for yourself and get reimbursed for care. Your mental health matters—and you deserve support that works for you.You deserve care—and you don’t have to do it alone. Have questions? Reach out to us at Your Journey Through. We’re here to support you on your path.
