frequently asked questions
How do I get started?
Please contact me to schedule your free 15-minute phone consultation. We'll touch base to make sure that we both feel that we are a good fit and want to move forward. Then, we'll meet for a 90 minute intake assessment. I'll gather information about your mental health history, current symptoms, and treatment goals. Over the next few sessions, we'll continue to get to know each other and get a good handle on the best treatment options for you. If I'm not the right therapist for you (either because I don't provide the treatment that I think is indicated, or you don't feel that we're a good fit), I'll provide you with referrals for other providers. If you'd like to move forward, we will identify a treatment plan and start tackling your goals!
How long does therapy take?
It depends. Many cognitive behavioral and parent treatments can be completed in 12-20 sessions. However, more intensive treatments (such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy) require a minimum of 6-12 months. Additionally, many people address the primary concern that brought them into therapy and then decide to continue and address an additional problem or stressor. Sometimes, people complete therapy and want to come back for infrequent "booster" sessions, to check in and review the strategies they've learned.
How will I know if therapy is working?
At the start of treatment, we will create observable, measurable goals, which we will monitor throughout your treatment. I will provide you with evidence-based assessments, which will provide data regarding your symptom severity over time.
How do I pay for therapy sessions?
I am an Out of Network (OON) provider. Please contact your health insurance and ask if they provide reimbursement for therapy (or behavioral health) with OON providers. Your insurance may require prior authorization or reimburse you for a certain number of sessions per year, or only reimburse you for certain services (CPT codes). Patients are required to keep a credit card on file which will be charged following each session. I provide all patients with monthly Superbills which have all necessary information for you to provide your insurance company.
Please note that I have a 24-hour cancellation policy. If you cancel within 24 hours of your scheduled appointment, you will be charged the full session fee.
Where are you located?
I am located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, at 7 West 86th St, conveniently accessible by the B, C, and 1 trains and the M86 bus. Additionally, I provide teletherapy (via HIPAA-compliant technology) to residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Teletherapy has been demonstrated to be effective in treating a multitude of mental health problems.
What can I expect for the total cost of my therapy?
Please contact me to discuss fees. We will discuss fees prior to scheduling an intake.
You have the right to a Good Faith Estimate under the No Surprises Act. This means that I am required to provide you with a document including the expected cost of your treatment, services recommended (CPT codes), and diagnostic information. I provide this information following the initial intake session. The cost of treatment will depend on the type of treatment that I recommend as well as your preferences for treatment. While sometimes once weekly sessions are sufficient, patients sometimes prefer to meet more frequently. Generally, I begin treatment with once weekly sessions. For more information, visit https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises