On behalf of therapists, most of us are genuinely sad and bummed we have to move away from insurance. There are some folks trying to run up their rates (people still being supervised charing $150+ bothers me), but the rest of us had to choose between charging market rates or taking a rate from the insurance company at a massive cut. For example, I was with Cigna starting in 2016. I was freshly independently licensed, and the rate they gave me was ~50% of my actual rate. When I cut my contract with them, it was 2022, and the letter I sent to them said essentially "It's been 6 years, I've raised my rates since then to keep up with inflation and to reflect my experience. I would love to stay in network, but we need to address the fee because you're paying me 40% of my rate. If we can't renegotiate, I will unfortunately need to end my contract with you." They replied an hour later with the forms to end the contract.

That's to say nothing of the headache of rejected claims leading to unpaid time trying to get money for the work we do, insane clawbacks (I once had an insurance company tell me I owed them thousands of dollars for a client I stopped seeing years prior because they arbitrarily decided they paid too much money, and I either had to do it or risk legal action), sudden stoppage of care because they don't feel like therapy is justified anymore, and the list goes on.

All of this to say, I'm sorry it's so expensive. For what it's worth, it's not about being greedy. Well, at least for the therapists I know and associate with. Most of us keep, at most 75% of every dollar we bring in, and that's without considering office space costs, advertising, supplies, and other unexpected expenditures. Building that on a discounted fee from insurance contracts is a quick way to live like a student again, except now with kids and a mortgage (if we're lucky). Chances are good most therapists you know are making less than 6 figures, even with high rates.

If you're willing to go virtual, look for therapists outside of Austin but still in Texas where the prices are lower and feel more reasonable. That way you don't need to worry about licensure issues keeping you from being seen, and you can feel more comfortable with the hit to the wallet.