I Want to Spend My Energy on the Part That Changes Lives
Divya Dodhia, a teen and family therapist for over 20 years, writes about protecting her time and attention for patients by not taking on insurance billing herself. She hands over the superbill and documentation, and MySuperbills helps the patient with the reimbursement process.
I’ve been a therapist working with teens and families for over 20 years. When I started my practice, I barely advertised. Families found me through word of mouth, and over time my practice grew alongside my own children.
The mental health landscape feels very different now. There are more systems to manage, more administrative demands, and much more work attached to running a private practice.
What I notice most, especially with younger therapists I supervise, is how much time and energy gets pulled away from the work of caring for patients. Billing, paperwork, insurance questions, follow-up, documentation — all of it adds up.
That worries me.
Because the most important thing I can give a patient is my full presence. I want to be able to listen carefully, notice what is changing, and have the emotional bandwidth to really connect. I personally text each of my clients before an appointment to check in. That takes time, but I value being able to do it.
Part of why I can protect that time is because I have chosen not to take on insurance billing.
That doesn’t mean reimbursement isn’t important. For many families, being reimbursed is what makes continuing out-of-network therapy possible.
But I don’t believe the answer is turning therapists into billing departments. That’s why I like the simplicity of MySuperbills.
I provide the care and the documentation my patient needs. I hand over the superbill, and my role can end there. MySuperbills takes it from there and helps the patient navigate the reimbursement process.
There are many things I’m willing to give my patients. My attention, my presence and my care are at the top of that list.
Billing doesn’t need to be one of them.
Divya Dodhia is a teen and family therapist. Learn more about her work at divyadodhia.com.
MySuperbills is not a healthcare provider, insurance company, or legal advisor. We are a claim preparation and submission service. This article is general information, not medical or insurance advice.