Starting March 23, 2026 Happy Hedgehog Counseling LLC will be offering sliding scale fees for a limited number of time slots.

Why is HHC private pay?

Many clients have to pay down a deductable and then make copays that end up being higher than just paying out of pocket.

When paying with insurance, the insurance companies get to dictate how many sessions a client can have or how often. They may request records which reduces the client’s privacy. Also, they may decide after they pay for the service to do a “clawback” where they demand their money back. They can suddenly decide something is not “medically necessary”. This can happen months or even years after the service has been provided. Someone has to pay the money back so that falls on the counseling office or the client.

Some therapies may be looked at as experimental or unnecessary and not covered by insurance. Couples therapy is not covered, they have to have one person as the client.

Using insurance forces the therapist to place a diagnosis on a client they have just met. When working with children there may not be an appropriate label from the DSM. From a family systems perspective, there is not one individual who is the recognized patient, the system is what needs to change. Here is more information about pros and cons of private pay.

What is a sliding scale?

A sliding scale allows the client and the therapist to discuss what rate the client would be able to pay. There are limited time slots for sliding scale clients.

What is the current payment policy?

In the spirit of:

• protecting client’s privacy
• allowing clients the flexibility to have the kind of therapy they want
• allowing time for client and therapist to decide a plan of action
• allowing therapist to decide if a formal diagnosis is needed

Happy Hedgehog Counseling LLC is taking only private pay at this time. Limited sliding scale times are available. Please contact us if you would like to discuss fees. 262-292-9991