Breaking Up With Insurance
Stop checking your bank account every time an insurance payment is late. Learn the exact way to leave your panels and set a rate that pays you fairly — without leaving your clients behind.
Yes, I want to leave insurance! →$98 (or 2x $50) · Instant access · Ethical decision-making 💖
"I sent in my form to resign today!!! Already feel just a little bit of relief."
Jodi Erin Williams, LPC
Breaking Up With Insurance… and the EOB That Told Me I'd Made the Right Call
Hi 👋 I'm Mallory Grimste, LCSW (she/hers), and I left insurance way back in 2016.
Here's what actually happened: one insurance company stopped paying me for six weeks. That was almost 90% of my caseload at the time. So I dropped all five panels at once.
And every client stayed except two.
Then the company mistakenly sent me an EOB that showed my clients would have been reimbursed more out-of-network than insurance was ever paying me in-network.
That's when it clicked: leaving wasn't going to hurt my clients. Staying was the only thing hurting me. 😳
My rate went up. My caseload stayed full. And I've spent the years since helping other therapists do exactly the same thing.
Later, I built the Breaking Up With Insurance Guide (BUWIG, for short) to walk other therapists through exactly how I did it.
Here's what I know after doing this myself, and watching it work for therapists in big cities, small towns, and everywhere in between:
✅ Your right-fit clients exist in your area. They are looking for you right now.
✅ Your rate can be financially sustainable and feel genuinely good to charge — once you've done the math with me.
✅ The conversations with clients, colleagues, and referral sources are more manageable than you think — especially when you have the exact scripts.
The Breaking Up With Insurance Guide is a private podcast series that walks you through exactly how I made the move, chapter by chapter, workbook by workbook, so you can stop wondering if it's possible and start building the practice you actually want.
💪 Breaking Up With Insurance: Do the Work Week
Tuesday, July 7 – Monday, July 13, 2026
For one week only, the guide gets a live upgrade.
Instead of listening alone and adding it to your "I'll get to it" list — you'll be doing the work with other therapists, with me in your corner the whole week.
Here's what's included when you join before July 7th:
The Do the Work Week Challenge — your 4 actions:
Complete the challenge, get recognized:
The Facebook group closes after Do the Work Week ends on Monday, July 13, 2026. Buy after that and you'll still get the full guide — just not the live experience.
$98 · Or 2 payments of $50 · Instant access · Join before July 7th for the full Do the Work Week experience
After going through BUWIG, you'll know:
📍 Your exact session rate: the number that covers your expenses, pays you fairly, and still feels good to charge
📍 What to say to your current clients when you make the switch- word for word, with scripts
📍 Where your right-fit clients are already looking for you, and how to make sure they can find you
📍 How to navigate the paperwork and the panels, without it dragging on for months
📍 How to make this decision in a way that actually aligns with your values
Here's what's inside:
Chapter 1: Stories and Shifts
Walk into this chapter carrying whatever you've been told about money, private pay, and what therapists "should" do — and walk out with a clearer sense of what's actually true for you.
Chapter 2: Setting Your Rates
Confidently determine your rates with a focus on financial sustainability. We’re getting down and dirty with the numbers and doing the math together. This is the chapter where the ethical math actually clicks.
“Oh wow – The best resource was the rate calculation.”
- Jen Schaefer, LMFT, Owner/Clinician, Ampersand Therapy
Chapter 3: Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Clear up the confusion and make the choice that’s right for you and your practice. Explore your options, assess the risks and benefits, and make a decision aligned with your values and needs.
Chapter 4: The Break-Up
You'll follow a proven, step-by-step process for leaving your panels cleanly, so the transition is organized, professional, and done.
Chapter 5: Compassionate Conversations
Transform awkward conversations into opportunities for growth, empowering both you and your clients. You’ll get scripts for talking about this change in your practice to clients, colleagues and referral sources.
Workbooks, Templates & Scripts
Each audio chapter of the private podcast has an accompanying workbook so you can note your valuable insights, follow along, and use the templates to guide your conversations and letters. And what’s really cool is you can print them or use them digitally because all the PDFs are fillable 🤩
“I sent in my form to resign from ****** today!!! Thanks for all of your support. I’ll be speaking to my clients in the next two weeks and already feel just a little bit of relief.“
- Jodi Erin Williams, LPC, CST, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist
Conscious Sex and Love Coach
Plus five bonus resources included:
Bonus #1: LovingKindness Guided Meditation
Making this kind of change stirs things up. This LovingKindness Guided Meditation gives you a way to practice the same self-compassion you'd offer any client going through something hard.
Bonus #2: Profitable Session Rate Formula
If you’re an expert in feelings, but not numbers (like me) I got you!! This bonus lesson will walk you through the exact step-by-step profitable session rate formula I use to set my session rates fairly – and still get paid, even without insurance.
Bonus #3: Where Are My Clients At?
Your right-fit clients exist— in your area, right now. This bonus lesson walks you through exactly where they're already looking for support, and how to make sure they can find you.
Bonus #4: Return on Investment Worksheet and Walkthrough
With this bonus fillable PDF worksheet and guided audio lesson, you'll gain clarity on which additional income streams to pursue in a way that aligns with your values and goals. This bonus will help you make informed choices about where to invest your time and energy, all while nurturing your financial growth, without neglecting your active clients.
Bonus #5 Out Of Network Insurance Reimbursement Guide
This is the exact guide Mallory's team sends to prospective clients to help them navigate their insurance benefits — including the specific questions and language that make the process clear and manageable. You'll have it ready before your first conversation about the switch.
Here's what the move actually looks like, from someone who made it.
Like John,
“Deciding to break up with insurance and go private pay was a scary idea for me. I had the usual belief that insurance payments are predictable; everyone wants to use insurance, and it is just how it is. Or so it seems. But as I dug into reality, I came to recognize that insurance payments are not predictable, insurance payments can be clawed back, and not everyone wants to use insurance. No, if you provide a valuable service, people will pay for it.
However, I did not know how to break up with insurance, and it felt like a lonely endeavor without guidance. Mallory’s Breaking Up with Insurance Guide is the pathway and the companion as you choose to go private pay.
Going private pay is simple but not easy, and for me, it brought up a lot of stuff that I had to deal with (such as beliefs in my relationship to money). Making the change influences other parts of your practice, such as adjustments in marketing and changes in one’s practice value offerings. But it is possible to break up with insurance and go private pay. Be prepared and expectant that, like any other journey, there will be challenges. That process was well worth it for me, and Mallory’s guide was a trusty companion.
I am happy to say that I am still private pay nearly three years later and have not looked back. If you are considering and want to go private pay, I highly recommend Mallory’s Breaking Up with Insurance Guide! “
- John Syc, LCSW, MSW, MaIOP
Let’s Address the Elephants that may still be lingering in the room…
You became a mental health therapist because you care about people. Like really, really care about your people. You've worked hard to get here… and you deserve a practice that reflects that.
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Most therapists find their clients are far more understanding than expected… especially when the conversation is handled with care.
Chapter 5 gives you the exact scripts for talking to clients, colleagues, and referral sources so you're not winging it.
And Bonus #5 gives your clients a guide to their own OON benefits so they leave that conversation informed, not blindsided.
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Yes— and here's what the math actually looks like. Chapter 2 walks you through the exact rate formula I use so you can see your own numbers clearly, not just take my word for it.
Therapists who've done this exercise almost always find the picture is more workable than they expected.
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Change is scary- even when it’s a positive change. That’s because we love chilling in our comfort zones. It’s familiar and somehow along the way as a species we got programmed to believe that familiar = safety. Just like you empower your clients to go at your own pace, this program is designed for you to dip in and out at your leisure. When you sign up, you get instant access to all the lessons and bonus gifts. The lessons and resources are here to help you conquer the logistics of breaking up with insurance, master the art of client communication, and handle the nitty-gritty admin stuff – like writing those termination letters – like the boss you are. Plus, these lessons and resources are yours to keep.
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I know how tight-knit the therapist circle can be. But here's the scoop: your journey is all about personal and professional growth. This program is NOT about throwing shade to therapists who choose to stay on insurance panels, or even remain a hybrid practice where you choose to terminate with some, but not all insurance companies. Many who've trodden this path have found immense satisfaction on the other side. And guess what? You’ll discover there is a judgment-free community of self-pay and hybrid practices that are ready to celebrate your unique path to success. Once you’re on the other side, you’ll be part of the welcoming party for other therapists, too.
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By breaking up with insurance, you're actually making room to serve more folks in the long run. During your journey, I'll help you explore creative ways to support those in need. You're not just improving your practice; you're amplifying your impact. It's a win-win. You're also not the only therapist in town. There are plenty of other agencies, organizations and insurance-based practices that you can connect with and refer to. This is not about putting your clients in financial distress. This is about giving them informed choices about their options. Which is why I’m also giving you the EXACT guide I give prospective clients to help them walk through that call with their insurance company to ask about out of network options and exceptions.
You've done the work to get here. Your practice can reflect that.
Five audio chapters. Five fillable workbooks. Scripts, rate formulas, and five bonus resources — everything you need to know your number, make the move, and build the practice you actually want.
*Payment Plan option is also available at checkout
Still Have Questions?
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions so you can clarify your path forward
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Accessing the private podcast is easy. All you need is a device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) and an internet connection. You’ll receive an email from HelloAudio on how to confirm your access to the podcast player of your choice (I personally like Apple Podcasts, but there are several to choose from). After your purchase, you’ll also receive a welcome email from me that includes a link to all the downloadable resources. Both emails will be sent to the email you used to sign up.
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The bonuses are integrated within the private podcast program. You can access them as you progress through each chapter. Additionally, a link to the downloadable resources will be sent to the email you used for signup once you've purchased the program.
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Due to the digital nature of this product, we don't offer refunds. However, if you're facing challenges or have concerns, please reach out to us directly for support. I am committed to helping you succeed. Even if that means you decide to stick with your insurance contracts.
Disclaimer: Results may vary. This program is designed for educational purposes and should not replace professional or legal advice.