Office Policy

  • Initial Consultation - A 50 minute session during which an assessment is made to gather background information from the client(s), for the purpose of making an appropriate treatment recommendation, mutually agreed upon goals and making preliminary diagnoses. The assessment is typically concluded in one session but may be extended to several sessions depending on the need. Payment is required at the time of the appointment.
  • Individual Psychotherapy - A series of private 45 minute sessions for adults and adolescents during which the client may discuss issues of her or his choice. The session may be directed, but typically the client sets the agenda. Various therapeutic approaches are used depending on the client’s needs and goals.
  • Couples Counseling  - A series of private one hour sessions during which the couple discusses issues of their choice. The session may be directed, but typically the clients set the agenda.
  • Family Counseling - A series of private one hour sessions during which the family discusses mutually agreed upon, pre-determined issues. The goals of each session are kept to a minimum in an effort to set goals that are achievable. The session tends to be very directed, with pre-defined rules.
  • Parent Coaching - A series of 50 minute private sessions for parents. These sessions may, at times, include other members of the family, according to the family’s specific needs. Common goals of parent coaching include facilitating effective communication among family members, implementing household rules and establishing appropriate consequences. Cognitive-behavior (CBT) and psycho-education are among the more common theoretical approaches used.

EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Brainspotting and Hypnosis

A series of 50 minute sessions during which target issues will be treated until symptom reduction is achieved often within several sessions. Some individuals benefit from 90 minute sessions.  Please inquire about the fee.

Consultation Phone/In-Person

I offer support and encouragement to those who are in need of a consultation for resources and ideas about how to help a friend or family member who is struggling with an eating disorder, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, adjustment difficulties and other issues that may need attention. I am happy to make recommendations and referrals as necessary.

Cancellation Policy - If you and I decide to work together, I will schedule one 45-50 minute session per week at a mutually agreed time. Once this appointment hour is scheduled, you will be expected to pay for it.

After formulating a diagnosis, I can provide a monthly billing statement/receipt for patients to submit to their insurance for out-of-network reimbursement. After the deductible has been met, most insurance plans reimburse a large percentage of the allowable amount for out-of-network mental health benefits.

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 50 minute consultations are billed at my regular rate and paid at the end of the consultation.  The initial session involves a diagnostic evaluation to identify risk factors and core issues of the presenting problem(s). This might involve several sessions of gathering information and assessment before prescribing a customized treatment plan. When treating minors, I ask to meet or speak with the parents or legal guardians before or after meeting with the child or adolescent patient.

Telephone Communication - I make every effort to be reasonably available by phone or email and usually all calls are returned within 24 hours. If you have an urgent matter please indicate this in your voice mail message. If you need to speak by phone for periods longer than fifteen minutes, calls will be pro-rated at my hourly rate. If you are unable to reach me or if it is in the evening please dial 911 or go to your closest emergency room and request psychiatric/psychological services. Please do not call the office or cell phone outside of business hours regarding an emergency as I do not provide 24 hour coverage. Please do not email or text symptoms of distress.  If you are experiencing a crisis and cannot keep yourself safe, please dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. 

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 (the same applies for text messaging). If your communication has any time urgency, please call me.

Rates 

  • Individual – $160 per 45 minute session; $200 per 60-minute psychotherapy or EMDR sessions; $260 per ninety-minute session. Couples – $200 per 60-minute session. Group therapy participants – $60 per 90 minute sessions.

Payment - Clients are expected to pay for each psychotherapy session at the time it is held, unless you and I agree otherwise. Cash, check and major credit cards accepted for payment (via Paypal). You may keep a credit or debit card on file with me. If we decide on monthly payments, I will send you your statement of services via e-mail which you then send to your insurance company, usually along with a 1500 Health Insurance Claim Form to receive payment. Your insurance carrier will process your claim just like they would for a medical claim. If they have any questions about authorization of services, please feel free to have them contact me directly.

Sliding Scale - Sliding scale services are available on a limited basis. 

Insurance - 

I am an out-of-network provider, which means that I am not on any insurance panels and do not accept insurance directly.  However, I do provide all the necessary paperwork for my clients to be reimbursed by their insurance providers. I know that for many, the idea of going to an out of network provider might seem out of their budget at first, so I hope it helps to know that the majority of my clients submit their statements of service to their insurance providers and receive 60-80% reimbursement. Please consult with your insurance company to determine your level of coverage. My fee is commensurate with rates charged by therapists throughout New York City.

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?

Insurance Company Coverage for Mental Health Services Increased in New York State:

In February, 2010, the mental health community celebrated the passage of the Mental Health Parity Law, also known as “Timothy’s Law.”  This law mandates that insurance companies provide the same rate of coverage for mental health services as they do for physical/medical health services.  There are a few exceptions to this mandate, so you should check with your insurance company about how the new law applies to your policy. This change means that you have out-of-network coverage for medical services and that you are now also covered for the services of out-of-network mental health practitioner.  For example, if your out-of-network rate of coverage for medical services is 70%, your coverage for mental health services is also 70%.

Schedule Online - Request an appointment online here.

Contact  - Questions?  Please contact me for further information.

Psychotherapy and Distance Therapy – Online Therapy – Phone Therapy  - Email Therapy

Distance Therapy - Distance therapy is perfect for clients who travel or are unable to attend regularly scheduled sessions. This is not meant to replace a face to face treatment relationship but can be very effective for many individuals. If you travel frequently, telephone sessions can bring productive and positive results. Phone sessions are charged as 45 minute session rates.

Confidentiality

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.