CPT Codes for Therapy: Quick Reference Guide

Quick Reference: Common Therapy CPT Codes

This guide provides a streamlined reference for the CPT codes therapists use most frequently. For a comprehensive deep dive including psychological testing codes, crisis intervention, and E/M add-on codes, see our complete CPT code guide.

Important: The descriptions below are original plain-language summaries written for educational purposes. They are not official AMA CPT descriptions. Always refer to your current CPT codebook or the AMA for authoritative code definitions.

Verify with your payer: Reimbursement rates, covered codes, and modifier requirements vary by insurance company, plan type, and state. Always confirm billing requirements directly with each payer before submitting claims.

Evaluation Code

90791 — Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation

An initial evaluation session where the therapist conducts a comprehensive assessment, gathers clinical history, evaluates symptoms, and forms diagnostic impressions. This is typically the first session with a new client.

• Time: No specific time requirement, but most payers expect a thorough evaluation
• Frequency: Generally billed once per client at the start of treatment
• Notes: Does not include medical/physical examination components (use 90792 if a medical exam is included, typically by psychiatrists)

Individual Psychotherapy Codes

These three codes cover the vast majority of individual therapy sessions. The correct code depends on how many minutes of psychotherapy you deliver during the session.

Code	Psychotherapy Time	Typical Session Length
90832	16–37 minutes	Short sessions, crisis follow-up
90834	38–52 minutes	Standard session (most common)
90837	53+ minutes	Extended session

90832 — Individual Psychotherapy, Brief

A shorter individual psychotherapy session. Appropriate for brief check-ins, crisis follow-up sessions, or situations where a full session is not clinically necessary or the client cannot stay for a full session.

• Time requirement: 16–37 minutes of psychotherapy
• Common use: Follow-up after crisis, medication-focused visits with brief therapy, shorter sessions with children

90834 — Individual Psychotherapy, Standard

The most commonly billed psychotherapy code. Covers a standard-length individual therapy session.

• Time requirement: 38–52 minutes of psychotherapy
• Common use: Weekly individual therapy sessions
• Note: This is the workhorse code for most therapy practices

90837 — Individual Psychotherapy, Extended

An extended individual psychotherapy session. Used when clinical needs require a longer session.

• Time requirement: 53 minutes or longer of psychotherapy
• Common use: Complex trauma processing, EMDR sessions, intensive therapy
• Note: Some payers may require additional documentation justifying the extended time. Higher scrutiny during audits is common for this code

Family and Couples Therapy Codes

Code	Description	Who Is Present
90846	Family/couples therapy without the client	Family members only
90847	Family/couples therapy with the client	Client and family members

90846 — Family or Couples Psychotherapy Without the Patient

A family or couples therapy session where the identified client is not present. The therapist works with family members to address dynamics affecting the client's treatment.

• Common use: Parent guidance sessions, collateral sessions with a spouse or partner, sessions where the client is unable or unwilling to attend
• Note: Document why meeting without the client is clinically necessary

90847 — Family or Couples Psychotherapy With the Patient

A family or couples therapy session where the identified client participates along with one or more family members.

• Common use: Couples therapy, family therapy, conjoint sessions
• Note: The identified client must be present for this code. If both members of a couple are your clients, check payer rules on which client is the "identified patient" for billing purposes

Group Psychotherapy

90853 — Group Psychotherapy

A psychotherapy session delivered in a group format with multiple clients present.

• Typical group size: 4–12 members (payer-dependent)
• Common use: Process groups, psychoeducation groups, skills groups (DBT, CBT), support groups with a therapeutic component
• Billing note: Bill 90853 once per client per group session. Each client in the group generates a separate claim
• Documentation: Maintain individual progress notes for each group member

For detailed group billing requirements, see our group therapy billing guide.

Common Modifiers

Modifiers provide additional information about how a service was delivered. These are the modifiers therapists use most often:

Modifier	Purpose	When to Use
95	Synchronous telehealth	Audio-video telehealth sessions
GT	Telehealth (legacy)	Some payers still require GT instead of 95
HO	Master's-level clinician	Required by some Medicaid and managed care plans
XE	Separate encounter	Two distinct services on the same day

Place of Service Codes

In addition to modifiers, the place of service (POS) code on your claim indicates where the service was delivered:

• POS 11 — Office (in-person sessions at your practice)
• POS 10 — Telehealth in the patient's home
• POS 02 — Telehealth (other location, not the patient's home)

Billing Best Practices

Document Time Accurately

Always record the start and end time of each session in your progress notes. The time spent on psychotherapy — not the total appointment time — determines the correct CPT code. Time spent on check-in, scheduling, or phone calls before or after the session does not count toward psychotherapy time.

One Code Per Session

Bill only one individual psychotherapy code per session. You cannot combine 90832 and 90834 for the same encounter. Choose the single code that matches the total psychotherapy time delivered.

Know Your Payer's Rules

Each payer may have specific requirements for:

• Prior authorization for certain codes (especially 90837)
• Session frequency limits (e.g., maximum sessions per week or year)
• Modifier requirements for telehealth, supervisees, or specific license types
• Documentation standards for medical necessity

Use the CMS Fee Schedule as a Benchmark

For current Medicare reimbursement rates by CPT code and geographic location, use the CMS Physician Fee Schedule Lookup Tool. Commercial payer rates vary but often reference Medicare rates as a baseline.