We offer fees that adjust based on financial need, as resources allow. Many health insurance insurance payors, including PPO plans or state funded programs such as Colorado CES Waiver, can cover or reimburse the majority of evaluation treatment costs, significantly reducing out-of-pocket expenses. Note that payment is due upon service rendering and a No Surprises Act “good faith” estimate is provided to ensure you understand and agree to the total care cost prior to assessment, evaluation or treatment.

• Initial consultation (10 minutes): Complimentary
• Initial Screening Intake (0.5–1 hour): $150–$400
• Assessment/Evaluation Initial Intake (1.5–3.5 hours): $400–$1,200*
• Second Opinions/Review of Existing Diagnosis (1–1.5 hours): $500
• Comprehensive Evaluations: $2,500–$12,000+ (depending on case complexity)*
• Neuropsychological Treatment/Follow-ups: $150-250 for each 15–25 minutes; $250-400 for 40–60 minutes

*Initial intakes and comprehensive evaluations includes rigorous biopsychosocial and neuropsychological assessment and evaluation occurring over multiple appointments with significant out of session time dedicated to each patient, client or family. This includes review of primary and secondary source records, records requests, research, report writing, scoring/analysis of instruments, care coordination, advocacy, site visits, collaboration with providers telephonically/electronically and employment of a highly targeted and comprehensive approach.

Health Insurance

We are committed to expanding relationships with medical insurers to serve as many families as possible. Currently, we can utilize some out of network plan benefits including PPO benefits on a number of insurers with the use of Thrizer, Mentaya or a similar insurance payor platform.

If you wish to seek reimbursement from your insurer, we can provide a Superbill. All fees are due upon service rendering. Please note that appointments covered through insurance authorizations can be scheduled only after we have received an authorization letter from the insurer.

Private Pay

We accept private pay clients and patients. Typical costs vary by program. Please contact us via email at forrest@drharding.org for more information regarding estimates.

Out-of-Network Insurance Reimbursement

If you wish to seek reimbursement from your medical insurer, we will provide you with an itemized statement upon request. We recommend that you contact your medical insurance provider ahead of time to verify that your benefits will cover an appointment.

Referral

Children, adults and families who are already clients of a Colorado Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) may be eligible for services. Please contact for more information.

Payment Questions

Please contact our Clinic Coordinator via email at forrest@drharding.org with any questions regarding billing, estimates, or insurance. For more information about appointments, please contact our Clinic Coordinator by phone at (720) 784-5317 or via email at forrest@drharding.org.

How are fees determined?

Dr. Harding’s expertise and services are rooted in nearly two decades of rigorous training and training, encompassing undergraduate studies, dual master’s degrees, pre-doctoral, doctoral, post-doctoral and fellowship/residency training. This extensive training journey which has not stopped represents a financial investment of more than $1,000,000 USD given the 2025 cost of attendance (COA) of Teachers College, Columbia University for 9 month’s Autumn/Spring term is $98,000 USD or more per year. The investment underscores the depth of knowledge, precision, and quality of care provided.

The billing of clients and patients at the fees noted above reflects not only the years of specialized preparation and enormous financial investment but also the significant lifelong benefit brought to clients and patients through highly specialized neuropsychological evaluations, treatment, and consulting services. The fees ensure the sustainability of offering highly specialized care and the flexibility to support pro bono work for those in need, maintaining a balance between accessibility and ensuring high quality care excellence.

National Comparisons for Psychological Services

Psychological and related medical services across the United States vary widely based on the provider’s expertise, specialized training, location, and type of service. The hourly rate for therapy typically ranges from $200 to $500 USD per hour, with evaluations costing between $2,500 and $10,000 or more depending on complexity (American Psychological Association [APA], 2025). High-demand specialists and those with unique qualifications and specialized training, like Dr. Harding, may charge fees on the upper end of these ranges, reflecting their advanced training, expertise and specialized expertise.

For example:

   •       Therapy rates in urban areas like New York City or San Francisco can range from $200 to $500 USD per hour (Therapist NY Pricing Guide, 2025).

   •       Comprehensive psychological evaluations, such as for Autism Spectrum Disorder or neuropsychological conditions, can range from $2,000 to $10,000 or more due to the time-intensive nature of testing and reporting (APA Practice Organization, 2025).

Balancing Accessibility and Excellence

Dr. Harding’s fees ensure the sustainability of offering specialized and very high quality care while maintaining the flexibility to support pro bono services for underserved, last mile communities. By investing in a service that reflects years of preparation, clients and patients receive unparalleled expertise and tailored care, ensuring a high standard of mental healthcare support and guidance.

References

American Psychological Association. (2025). Understanding psychological service fees: A guide for clients. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org

Teachers College, Columbia University. (2025). Cost of attendance: Tuition and fees. Retrieved from https://www.tc.columbia.edu

Therapist NY Pricing Guide. (2025). Therapy costs in New York City. Retrieved from https://www.therapyny.com

U.S. News & World Report. (2025). Best graduate schools in education and psychology. Retrieved from https://www.usnews.com

APA Practice Organization. (2025). Cost ranges for psychological evaluations. Retrieved from https://www.apapracticecentral.org

Cost Transparency

Most people do not fully understand the extensive work that psychologists must do, much of which occurs outside the time spent in sessions, appointments or meetings.

Why Many Experienced Psychologists Do Not Accept Copays

As psychologists become more seasoned, many move away from insurance panels because the low reimbursement rates make it unsustainable to maintain high-quality services. Unlike MDs/DO’s and related practitioners, who can see 30 to 60 patients a day with brief appointments, psychologists invest significant time before, during, and after client and patient appointments. Evaluations require in-depth discussions, research, and analysis across multiple days to gather and interpret the puzzle pieces that guide effective treatment. Higher fees reflect the time and expertise needed to deliver evaluations that can change the course of people’s life and inform hundreds of critical life decisions over a lifetime. This personalized care cannot be matched by a quick, insurance-driven approach.

Why Retainers Are Collected

Psychological assessment involves far more manual labor than medical assessments. While MD/DO’s and related practitioners outsource much of their diagnostic work to specialists like radiologists and lab technicians, psychologists perform all elements of the evaluation themselves. This includes designing and administering tests, scoring assessments, coordinating care, reviewing records and preparing comprehensive reports. The retainer helps cover these efforts and ensures transparency in billing. Unlike surprise costs in medical systems (e.g., lab fees or imaging costs), psychological services provide a clear understanding of the investment upfront, reflecting the psychologist’s role as both evaluator and clinician.

How Much Value Will You Get from an Evaluation?

An in-depth psychological evaluation is comparable to purchasing a vital tool you use daily, like a car. Just as a well-maintained car provides hundreds of thousands of miles of utility, a psychological evaluation delivers lifelong value. It helps individuals navigate key decisions about relationships, education, career, and personal fulfillment. The findings from an evaluation guide essential decisions about accommodations at school or work, therapy approaches, and even strategies for improving relationships or career performance. The “cost-per-use” of an evaluation becomes minimal compared to its long-term benefits.

Why Psychologists Must Go Beyond Diagnosis

In psychology, a diagnosis is only the beginning. Unlike medical diagnoses (e.g., a knee injury confirmed by an MRI), psychological conditions like Autism, ADHD or anxiety manifest uniquely in each individual. Ten people with ADHD may have entirely different challenges due to the interplay of personality, gender/sex, cultural and linguistic differences, lived experiences, and coping mechanisms. Psychologists work to understand how a diagnosis fits into the broader context of a person’s life, going beyond labels to provide actionable insights that lead to sustainable change.

Who Can Help You the Most?

Psychologists stand apart from other behavioral health professionals, such as psychiatrists, counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists, due to their much more extensive and in-depth training. A psychologist’s education includes doctoral-level coursework in assessment, diagnosis, and therapy, as well as supervised internships and often specialized post-doctoral training. Their ability to evaluate biological, psychological, and social factors comprehensively ensures that treatment is holistic and customized to the individual.

The Value of Psychological Assessment

Psychological evaluations offer a wide range of benefits, including:

– Identifying the root causes of distress, anxiety, or depression.
– Uncovering how past experiences may still influence current behavior.
– Providing clarity on hidden barriers to life satisfaction and success.
– Helping secure accommodations for standardized exams (e.g., SAT, GRE).
– Guiding therapy and other interventions to be more focused, productive, and cost-effective.
– Supporting educators and other professionals with tailored recommendations for success.

Common Mental Health-Related Costs

To put psychological service fees into perspective, consider the following typical costs:
– 1 day in a psychiatric facility: $320–$1,930 per day.
– 1 month in a residential psychiatric facility: $10,000–$60,000 per month.
– 1 year in a residential psychiatric facility: $120,000–$720,000 per year.
– 1 month of therapy at $250/hour (weekly sessions): $1000.
– 6 months of therapy at $250/hour (weekly sessions): $6,000.

References

American Psychological Association. (2025). Understanding psychological service fees: A guide for clients. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org

American Psychological Association Practice Organization. (2023). Why psychologists may not accept insurance: Practice considerations. Retrieved from https://www.apapracticecentral.org

Koocher, G. P., & Keith-Spiegel, P. (2016). Ethics in psychology and the mental health professions: Standards and cases (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2023). Paying for care: Understanding mental health costs. Retrieved from https://www.nami.org

National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). The role of psychological evaluations in mental health care. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov

Roehrig, C. (2016). Mental disorders top the list of the most costly conditions in the United States: $201 billion. Health Affairs, 35(6), 1130-1135. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2015.1659

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023). Occupational outlook for psychologists. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov

World Health Organization. (2023). Mental health systems: Funding and delivery. Retrieved from https://www.who.int