Cancellation Policy

This is the new cancellation policy effective for all clients starting in 2010 and later. Existing clients may be transitioned to the new policy on a case by case basis. 

If you and I decide to work together, I will schedule one fifty minute session (one appointment hour of fifty minutes duration) per week at a mutually agreed time. Once this appointment hour is scheduled, you will be expected to pay for it. For clients with standing weekly appointments, four free absences are allowed per year. You are responsible for payment of any additional absences beyond those allowed, regardless of the reason or type of absence. These include absences of all types, including illness, advance cancellations, late cancellations, and no-shows. Holidays and other days the office is closed will not count as absences. 

I appreciate the courtesy of at least 24 hours notice if you know that you will not be able to attend a scheduled appointment. However, regardless of whether you have provided such notice or not, you will be charged for missed appointments that exceed the allotted number of free absences. 

In instances where your insurance company set limits upon the number of sessions covered per year, you will be responsible for payment of sessions that exceed such limitations.

Initial Consultations

Initial sixty minute consultations are billed at my regular rate and paid at the end of that session.

Telephone Communication

I make every effort to be available by phone or email and usually all calls are returned within 24 hours. You can leave a message for me anytime. If you need to speak by phone for periods longer than fifteen minutes, calls will be pro-rated at my hourly rate. I can be reached via cell in case of an emergency. If you are unable to reach me please dial 911 or go to your closest emergency room and request psychiatric/psychological services.

Email Communication

Although I take measures to limit security breaches, please be aware that email communication is generally not secure. Therefore, I recommend that you limit emails to non-clinical matters, such as setting an appointment. If your communication has any time urgency, please call me.  

Fee and Payment

Individual - $160 per 45 minute session

Couples - $200 per 60 minute session

EMDR sessions are 90 minutes in duration.

Clients are expected to pay for each psychotherapy session at the time it is held, unless you and I agree otherwise, this includes out-of-pocket fees for out-of-network clients.  Cash, check and major credit cards accepted for payment (via Paypal). To make a payment with your credit card, click 'Make a Payment' and fill in the amount. You'll be taken to PayPal's Website, where you can complete the payment to me safely and securely.

 

 

If you are in need of a lower-cost option, I would encourage you to visit therapysafetynet.org a coalition of New York mental health professionals who offer reduced fee psychotherapy to uninsured clients.

Billing

If you are submitting out-of-network claims I will also provide a monthly statement with appropriate diagnostic codes for processing.  If you have difficulty paying, please discuss this with me. 

Insurance
I do not participate with insurance panels however many of my clients receive out of network reimbursement for their sessions. If finances are an issue for you contact your provider and inquire about reimbursement for mental health benefits (CPT 90806). Upon request, I will provide you with a statement at the end of the month that includes appropriate diagnostic codes for submitting an out of network claim. I cannot guarantee that your insurance carrier will reimburse you. Below are some helpful questions to ask your insurance provider.
  • Do I have mental health benefits?
  • What is my deductible and has it been met?
  • How many sessions per calendar year does my plan cover?
  • How much does my plan cover for an out-of-network provider?
  • What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
  • Is approval required from my primary care physician?

Schedule Online 
Request an appointment online here.

Contact 
Questions?  Please contact me for further information.

Confidentiality & Privacy Policy

I follow professional code of conduct standards and state guidelines regarding privacy. All information is held in the strictest confidence. No information is released without your written permission. The law protects the relationship between a client and a psychotherapist engaged in the practice of psychotherapy and information cannot be disclosed without written permission.

Exceptions include:

  • Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse, for which I am required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
  • If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s, I must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
  • If a client intends to harm himself or herself, I will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in insuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, I will take further measures without their permission that are provided to me by law in order to ensure their safety.

Client forms such as intake, authorizations and confidentiality will be provided to you during the initial consultation.