Everything you want
to know about Rainbow Connection Counseling Collective

We are a practice that genuinely values and honors diversity — and we ensure that matters of race, religion, sex and sexuality, and other dimensions of identity are woven into the work, not sidestepped.

Our work is also deeply relational. Rather than a manualized approach or self-help clichés, our therapists focus on building a trusting, respectful, compassionate, and deeply connected relationship that centers healing and helps clients achieve their highest potential.

Our name pays homage to the song Rainbow Connection from The Muppet Movie (1979). The song is about the power of our thoughts — and it encourages the listener to recognize that power, and to question things that are often accepted without examination.

We take inspiration from that spirit. We work with clients to critically deconstruct the things they may have simply accepted as "truth" — cultural messages, family narratives, societal expectations. By deconstructing them, we help clients create their own truths and their own wisdom, empowering them to make decisions that align with their deepest values and truest self.

At Rainbow Connection Counseling Collective, AI assists with behind-the-scenes tasks like drafting emails, creating marketing materials, website development, and client communications.

Have questions about how we use technology in our practice? We're always happy to talk through it.

Affirming therapy is a therapeutic approach that validates and supports a client's full identity — including their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, culture, and other aspects of who they are.

Unlike traditional therapy models that may pathologize or attempt to change marginalized identities, affirming therapy creates a safe, inclusive space where clients can explore their experiences without judgment or pressure to conform to societal expectations.

Affirming therapy is particularly beneficial for:

• LGBTQ+ individuals exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity
• Transgender and gender-diverse people navigating transition or seeking gender-affirming care
• BIPOC individuals experiencing racism, microaggressions, or cultural identity conflicts
• People with intersectional identities facing multiple, overlapping forms of discrimination
• Anyone from a marginalized community seeking culturally competent mental health support

In an affirming therapy session at Rainbow Connection, you can expect:

• No judgment about your identity, desires, relationships, or experiences
• Cultural understanding without needing to spend session time educating your therapist
• Respectful use of your chosen name and correct pronouns, every time
• Validation of your experiences with discrimination and minority stress
• Collaborative treatment planning that honors your values, goals, and pace

We have clinicians licensed to provide telehealth therapy in California, New York, Oregon, and Washington.

All sessions are conducted via secure telehealth and are subject to the laws and regulations of the client's State of residence.

Yes. Our client portal is located at rccc.sessionshealth.com. Through the portal you can:

• View invoices, statements, and statements for insurance reimbursement (superbills)
• Schedule and cancel appointments (up to 24 hours in advance)
• Send a direct, secure message to your clinician

Harry Dixon, MA, LMHC, LPCC, LPC, CST is our only in-network clinician. He is currently in-network with Cigna, and your insurance will be billed directly.

All other clinicians at RCCC — and all other plans — are out-of-network. There are real benefits to that: your care stays private, your treatment isn't dictated by managed-care timelines, and if you pay privately without submitting for reimbursement, no diagnosis is required to begin.

Many insurance plans also include an out-of-network benefit that may reimburse you for a portion of session costs.

Many clients with insurance are eligible to be reimbursed a significant portion of our fee through out-of-network benefits. The exact amount depends entirely on your specific plan.

Call the member services number on your insurance card and ask:

1. How much does my plan reimburse for an out-of-network provider? What percentage of the fee will I be reimbursed?
2. How will I be reimbursed — direct deposit, check, or credit to my account?
3. Is approval required from my primary care physician before starting therapy?
4. What is my deductible, and has it been met for this plan year?
5. What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
6. Are there restrictions regarding the type of therapy or practitioner credentials?
7. Are there session limits or any other restrictions I should know about?
8. Is couples/partners therapy covered under Z63.0?

We provide detailed superbills through the Client Portal with all the billing codes your insurer needs to process your claim.

This is the question we get asked most. The honest answer involves the real economics and ethics of mental healthcare — and most providers don't talk about it openly.

The financial reality: In-network providers are contracted to accept a 50%–70% reduction in fees. Average insurance reimbursement for a therapy hour runs around $88 in California. After overhead, the take-home is not enough to compensate therapists for the work they do, leading to poorer outcomes and burnout. We believe clinicians should be paid a living wage and fairly compensated for their experience and education.

The administrative burden: Since COVID-19, insurance companies have changed policies without adequately notifying providers — resulting in incorrect payments, retroactive corrections, and demands to repay overpayments months later. Clinics can spend 10+ extra unpaid hours per week on insurance administration.

Your privacy: When you use insurance, the insurer has the right to access your records upon request. We firmly believe medical decisions should remain between you and your provider — not a for-profit company.

Your care quality: Without insurance limits on session count or treatment length, you and your therapist decide what your care looks like. Research has found that clients whose therapy length or choice of therapist was restricted by insurance or managed care reported poorer outcomes, and that longer-term therapy tended to produce greater improvement (Seligman, 1995).

While these companies may seem convenient, they are classified as technology companies — not healthcare companies. This distinction matters enormously for your privacy.

They are not beholden to the same strict data protections as a traditional group practice, and multiple platforms have been found to have sold or shared client data with their largest investors — the same insurance companies they contract with.

Additionally, these companies have been misclassifying their clinicians as 1099 independent contractors, which is a violation of California's AB 5. We believe clinicians deserve proper protections, and that translates directly to better, more stable care for you.

Many insurance plans include an out-of-network benefit — contact your insurer to ask about superbill reimbursement (couples/partners sessions are typically not reimbursed). Out-of-network reimbursement for sessions with an associate counselor varies by plan, so ask your insurer about that too. HSA/FSA cards accepted.

A superbill — formally a Statement for Insurance Reimbursement — is a detailed receipt containing everything your insurer needs to process an out-of-network claim: session dates, CPT billing codes, diagnosis codes, and provider credentials.

We issue superbills automatically around the first of each month. You'll find them in the Client Portal under Documents for Insurance Reimbursement. Download yours and submit it to your insurer by mail, fax, or through their online portal.

Your insurer will assess your claim and, if your plan includes out-of-network benefits and your deductible has been met, reimburse you directly.

We also accept HSA and FSA cards. Billing questions? Email billing@rainbowconnectioncounseling.com.

Invoices are generated automatically for all clients regardless of payment type. If you are an insurance client, look for the "Client Responsibility" section of your invoice — this reflects only what you personally owe, such as copays, coinsurance, or cost-of-service after your claim has been processed.

For questions about your specific cost-sharing amounts, contact your insurer directly using the number on the back of your insurance card.

You have the right to receive a "Good Faith Estimate" explaining how much your medical care will cost before you receive services.

• You have the right to a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services, including related costs like medical tests, equipment, and facility fees.
• Your provider must give you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your service or item.
• If you receive a bill that is $400 or more above your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
• Save a copy of your Good Faith Estimate for your records.