Frequently Asked Questions
***My practice is currently full, and I am not accepting new clients at this time.***
Since I firmly believe in therapy seekers connecting to professional support as immediately as possible, I have not been in the habit of keeping a waitlist. However, many trusted colleagues I typically refer to are also full up.
For additional resources, please take a look at the lower section of Find A POC Therapist.
If you would still like to explore the possibility of working with me, I encourage you to circle back in a few months or later this year…
COVID-19 UPDATE
In response to re-opening efforts, I resumed in-person sessions in July 2021. With a post-CV designed office, HEPA filtration and other CV precautions are in place to keep everyone who each of us comes into contact with healthy. CV protocols have been effective, and to-date there has not been a single incidence of transmission as a result of in-person sessions.
With the current CV landscape—where we are learning to live with the novel coronavirus—my practice is now masking optional per each client’s preferences, or needs if immunocompromised.
In addition, I am serving clients in the greater NYC area seeking in-person sessions, which are more conducive to the somatic (at times, even hands-on) approaches I specialize in. While I was offering remote sessions out of necessity in response to the pandemic, I found that only working with about one-fifth of clients’ information (head and shoulders, rather than your whole body, plus interacting with a screen instead of being in the same room together) was too restrictive, and likely better suits traditional talk-therapy.
If you prefer telehealth, of course, there are numerous other therapists who are still offering remote sessions. Please take a look at Find A POC Therapist to guide your search for an online provider.
Before we move forward with scheduling an initial meeting, I first like to have the opportunity to get a feel for one another with a free, introductory call. Please contact me to schedule a mutually convenient time for a brief (~15 min) phone call. I’ll be happy to answer any of your questions.
Results of course vary from person to person. Some people feel immediate shifts in a session, and more significant long-term change builds incrementally. Years of stress and related patterns were put into place over time. Similarly new patterns and behaviors require time and space to take root, just as repair and recovery will also come gradually. While there are prescriptive and protocol-driven forms of short-term therapy available, I firmly believe that lasting sustainable change requires attuned approaches tailored to each individual.
Our first meeting will be 60 minutes. Weekly sessions are 45 minutes.
The beauty of a regular weekly appointment is that it’s your time. Even still, 45 minutes per week is not a lot of time per week to cultivate long-lasting growth and change. The predictability and weekly routine will support us to form a trusting relationship over time. For some, reliability in and of itself can be healing and offer corrective modeling. You’ll find a rhythm: remembering things from our time together, looking forward to it, implementing things during the week and sharing what you notice from there.
I consider therapy a nonjudgmental space for experiential learning. The weekly commitment allows awareness and insights to be reinforced. As well with consistency, new tools can be learned, practiced and refined in order to establish as new habits. I often hear from clients that what we played around with together in session is harder to replicate on their own between sessions. Thus, awareness skills and tools for self-regulation—like learning anything else—come about through repetition, reminders, ongoing guidance and so forth.
Sometimes, a client will ask to meet twice per week especially in times of greater need. Or, if we embark on hands-on, table work, I sometimes offer extended sessions based on how explorations evolve. I keep these options in mind, and will discuss with you what may be appropriate.
A minimum of 48 hours advance notice is required for cancellations.
If you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment, as much advance notice as possible can be helpful for rescheduling. To reschedule an appointment, please confirm an alternative appointment 48 hours prior to your standing weekly appointment. If you do not cancel, or finalize a rescheduled appointment, with sufficient notice, you will be responsible for the full session fee.
Similarly, with a forgotten appointment without notification (or no-show), you will be charged in full.
Clients who submit claims to insurance are personally responsible for fees related to late cancellations and no-show appointments. These will not appear on your monthly invoice (or ‘super-bill), since insurance only covers treatment.
Current:
Initial 60-minute consultation $350
Weekly 45-minute sessions $265
Beginning June 1, 2024:
Initial 60-minute consultation $375
Weekly 45-minute sessions $285
Fees change periodically, and no more than once per calendar year. Clients will, of course, be notified in advance.
Cash, check, debit/credit or FSA/HSA cards, and payments via Zelle are all accepted. Payment will be rendered at time of service.
I am not currently an in-network provider contracted with insurance companies, Medicare nor Medicaid.
There are many different insurers and each plan is unique based on your benefits, coinsurance, deductible or any other member out-of-pocket costs. It’s important to review your coverage documents, benefit plan or contact your insurance administrator for details.
If your insurance plan includes out-of-network benefits, you will likely be able to seek reimbursement for a portion of services. Please inquire with your insurance plan administrator regarding the details of your out-of-network benefits for behavioral health. Some helpful questions to ask your insurance company:
What is your annual deductible? Have you met it yet? How much have you accumulated to date?
Does your deductible follow the calendar year, or reset following a plan year?
What percentage are you responsible for after meeting your deductible?
How does your plan calculate the reimbursement rate for out-of-network services?
What is your out-of-pocket maximum if any?
How long do you have to submit a claim?
At your request, you will be provided a monthly invoice (or ‘super-bill’) for you to submit to your insurance company. Please note that reimbursement is not guaranteed, which depends on your individual plan’s coverage and claim processing. Regardless of the outcome with your insurance company, payment is rendered at the time of service.
What do I need to know about my insurance benefits? from Mental Health America
What you need to know about mental health coverage from the American Psychological Association
Types of Out-of-Network Reimbursement from Fair Health Consumer
A Guide To Allowed Amounts by Rachel Norman, Better
Why do therapists charge so much? by Patrick Bryant, PsychCentral
Why is therapy so expensive? by Nicole Pajer, HuffPost
Working with a professional is an investment you choose, which can have lasting positive impacts on all areas of your life. Greater fulfillment, ease, happiness and vitality – while difficult to translate into monetary value – are just a few of the advantages of having professional support.
I have also heard some clients look back on prior therapy experiences and say, “I guess you get what you pay for.”
How is the No Surprises Act relevant to seeking mental health services from a provider in private practice?
If you are not covered by any insurance plan, and/or will not be seeking reimbursement through your insurer, you are entitled to request a Good Faith Estimate. If you would like a Good Faith Estimate, please include your request with your initial inquiry and be sure to obtain one prior to our first meeting.