Fees & Insurance FAQ

I am In-Network with most Aetna, Anthem & Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance plans if you reside in New York. I am Out-Of-Network with all others. If you have Out-of-Network coverage (such as a PPO insurance plan), you may be reimbursed 50%-100% depending on your plan. If you are out of network or private pay, treatment is paid via credit card that is stored in my secure Telemedicine system. You may use Venmo, Zelle to pay for your sessions. You may also pay for appointments with your Health Saving Account (HSA) Card, Flexible Spending Account (FSA) card or Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA). As a courtesy, I am able to submit these forms for you through my electronic insurance billing system, but sessions are direct pay prior to your reimbursement.

Follow these first steps when you speak with your insurance company or HR:

1. REACH OUT TO YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY. You can find their phone number usually on the back of your insurance card.

2. ASK IF YOU HAVE OUT-OF-NETWORK BENEFITS. Inquire if your plan includes out-of-network benefits for mental health care.

3. FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE A DEDUCTIBLE THAT NEEDS TO BE MET. Ask what your out-of-network mental health services deductible is and how much you’ll have to pay out of pocket before your policy starts to reimburse you. The amount of your deductible can range from $0 to $10,000 or more, regardless if you are in network or out of network. A deductible is the amount that your insurance expects you to pay out of pocket for treatment BEFORE they are required to make payments according to your contract with them. Often times, after your deductible is met, your insurance company will pay for between 50% and 100% of the cost of treatment.

4. ASK ABOUT THE AMOUNT THAT THEY REIMBURSE FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE. Specifically, ask about your policy’s maximum allowed amount for the mental health service code 90834 and what percentage your policy pays of this service.

5. USE THIS INFORMATION SO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH THERAPY WILL COST YOU. The percent of the maximum allowed is what you’d receive as a reimbursement after you have met your deductible for the year.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: HMO, TRICARE, MEDICARE, AND MEDICAID COVERAGE DO NOT REIMBURSE FOR OUT-OF-NETWORK MENTAL HEALTH COSTS.

Step 1

Fee $250/45 minutes $300/60 minutes

Make an Initial Consultation appointment through the SimplePractice secure client portal button on this page above. If you would like more privacy, and would prefer NOT to be added to the practice system, we can conduct sessions by telephone. Many clients prefer this option. You can also text to schedule at 212-529-8292. I’ve had success with clients being reimbursed for the following insurance plans using Out-of-Network in New York: Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, Oxford/United, UnitedHealthcare UHC,UBH, Value Options, Humana & more which is why it’s important to understand your coverage.

Step 2

Receive practice information so that we can get started. After you schedule your time, You will receive the usual intake forms via email to be completed prior to your first session. These forms originate from the SimplePractice practice management system. Please check your spam for these forms. Please complete these forms prior to our meeting.

Step 3

This practice is currently working via Telehealth using a HIPPA-compliant platform called SimplePractice which is easy to use for both of us. We can also meet using Zoom, FaceTime or the platform of your choice Check your mail for a Session Link. For your first session, you will need a smartphone, tablet or computer with stable wifi and privacy. You may download the app iOS/android, but you can also use any browser with just your link without the Telehealth app.

Practice FAQ

How can therapy help me?

The kind of therapy that I practice in integrative and holistic. and is informed by the following therapeutic orientations: Psychodynamic, interpersonal, EMDR therapy, internal family systems, somatic experiencing, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindful self-compassion, neuroplasticity & change, positive psychology, couples techniques and nutrition & integrative medicine coaching.

Therapy can help you with a range of mental health struggles, including: anxiety, depression, loss and bereavement, life transitions, PTSD, relationship difficulties, feeling lonely and disconnected, existential crises, emotional dysregulation, as examples. You also don’t have to be struggling with a mental health diagnosis to reach out. Many people seek therapy to sort some things out, or to better understand themselves.

How quickly can I schedule an appointment?

A: I have some same-day and same-week appointments available. You will receive a response to emails and text messages within a few hours and usually right away. Or, feel free to schedule your own appointment using my online scheduler. If you don’t see the time available that you need, text me and we will schedule a time that is convenient for you.

Is Holistic Psychotherapy & Wellness Manhattan eligible for insurance reimbursement?

This practice accepts insurance out-of-network and you will need to know your reimbursement benefits. Payment in full is due at each session with cash, major credit card, or HSA card uploaded to my practice portal. If you plan to file for out-of-network reimbursement, I provide monthly receipts you can submit to your insurer. Psychotherapy, appointments will receive the standard CPT codes of 90834/45 minutes or 90837/60 minutes. Most private or employer-based health insurance plans provide some level of reimbursement for out-of-network plans. It is important that you first find out from your insurance company what mental health services are covered by your insurance and what your deductible is. If you have out-of-network insurance I can help you get reimbursed for between 40-80% if/after you have a deductible to meet. I can file your claims and help you with the reimbursement process. Patients have been reimbursed out-of-network by the following insurance companies: Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Oxford/United, as partial example.

How do I know what to look for in a therapist?

When you choose a therapist, you should feel “heard” and “seen” as well as understood and certainly not judged for the concerns that led you to seek counseling. A “good fit” is often described to explain how you should feel about the psychotherapist, counselor or psychologist you choose to work with. You should feel comfortable sharing your thoughts and feelings with your potential therapist as the process requires an investment of time and emotional energy. Your therapist should have good interpersonal skills as well as empathy and compassion. You should choose a therapist who has training in the areas that you are seeking help with. Some therapists have received specialized training in areas such as trauma, anxiety, addictions or eating disorders. If you are seeking therapy for a specific problem, it might be in your best interest to find a therapist who specializes and has advanced training to address your concern. Many therapists have received general psychotherapy training and consider themselves generalists and are able to treat a range of difficulties. Some psychotherapists have received specialized training in addition to graduate school which helps them specialize and be experts in that area of healing.

How long will I need to be in therapy?

Your personal needs and goals are always a priority, and will shape the time you spend in sessions. Many individuals desire focused, structured and time-limited sessions with a clear plan, targeting specific problems or goals that can be met within a relatively short period of time. Other difficulties require a more intensive focus and may take longer to resolve. This is especially true when people have been struggling for a long time and patterns and habits are rigid and entrenched. Some will do best with once weekly sessions, while others benefit from meeting twice weekly, or more, especially when in crisis. Consistent sessions allow clients to examine patterns and dynamics that may interfere with healthy functioning. You may finish therapy and at some point feel the need to return for more counseling. Having this as an option is especially useful for individuals who are needing additional support as they move through life stages or difficult transitions.

What type of therapy should I be looking for?

Increasing insight into problems and self-awareness is one goal of therapy, but unfortunately, that alone does not always lead to the desired change. For this reason, and with certain patients, it may be necessary to implement behavioral changes and track progress between sessions. Top-down therapy approaches such as CBT are often not enough, meaning that something else is needed to support a more complete healing. Bottom-up approaches, that utilize the nervous system and body, such as EMDR, Sensorimotor and Somatic Experiencing can help people heal the “root cause” of suffering and trauma symptoms. The duration of treatment is highly variable and depends on many factors, including: the nature of the problem, patient motivation and having realistic goals for change. Depending on patient needs, one may benefit from a number of different therapeutic strategies and techniques. In your initial consultation, you should work with your therapist to figure out the best approach for you. Therapists may use or combine the following approaches: psychoanalysis, psychodynamic psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, relational therapy, interpersonal, humanistic, gestalt, attachment-focused therapy, trauma resolution techniques as well as evidence-based therapies such as EMDR therapy, Somatic Experiencing (SE), Dialectical Behavior Therapy or DBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT to name a few.

Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Psychoanalysts—what’s the difference?

A psychotherapist is a licensed mental health professional who may have an MD, Master’s or Doctoral degree and uses “talk therapy” as well as somatic-based approaches to help people experience and understand their emotional lives. Psychotherapists may be psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, counselors and marriage and family therapists. They have varying years of foundation training, and some, but not all, go on to receive advanced, post-graduate training in specialized areas. Some are licensed to work on their own in private practice (LCSW) while others are still obtaining hours and must be supervised (LMSW). Psychiatrists are MD’s and are able to prescribe medication but may not provide psychotherapy, however some do. A psychologist has a doctoral degree as a foundation in psychology and may or may not have received additional expertise and training beyond what they learned in graduate school. Some Psychologists work in research, others provide therapy. Psychoanalysts have been through an extensive training experience which includes their own psychoanalysis or psychological exploration. They help people develop awareness of unconscious aspects of the mind. Some training institutes are allowing individuals with any graduate degree (law, history, as examples) study psychoanalysis and become a psychoanalyst which allows them to provide mental health care. You may not know whether your therapist has had their own in-depth therapy, it’s a question that you can ask. In my opinion, it’s important for psychotherapists who work with others to have had their own therapy.

What do I get started with the therapy process?

It’s important that you feel comfortable in therapy. Beginning stages offer the opportunity for you to establish a foundation of trust. I am happy to offer a 15 minute phone call to make an initial connection, and it’s also a great opportunity to address any questions that you may have about me, my training or therapy in general. Next. I recommend that you schedule an initial session. If it doesn’t feel right, hopefully you will leave with a better understanding of your needs as well as helpful information. I am always happy to make referrals for you to meet a therapist that might be a better fit for you.

What is Holistic Psychotherapy?

The holistic approach differs from a traditional medical model of healthcare that treats areas of the body or mind as separate entities. In our work together, we consider many aspects of your life, including: self, health, body, love, spirituality, play, career, money, time, home, family, friends and community, as examples—because all the parts of your life matter. The types of therapy training that I have helps with personal insight and self-awareness, as well as skill-building and addressing maladaptive thoughts and patterns. I am also trained to help my clients process trauma and somatic symptoms. In addition to the areas of concern that led you to seek help, I think it’s important to pay attention to the parts of your life that are going well.

Do I need Holistic Psychotherapy at this time?

You’ve landed on this page for a reason. Perhaps you’re frustrated with conventional medical treatment and psychiatry. Holistic psychotherapy and natural remedies offer powerfully effective help for people who have not yet achieved the full alleviation of mental health symptoms from prescription medicine. It’s also a sound choice for people with mild symptoms, and for those who wish to avoid conventional psychiatry. Together, we work to identify the “root cause” underlying many common psychiatric symptoms such as ADHD, motivation, memory, anxiety and depression. Research reveals that some of the well-known biological factors that can create or intensify mental health symptoms include: chronic inflammation, low levels of nutrients and minerals, neurotransmitter dysfunction, poor gut health, food sensitivities, low thyroid, sex hormonal imbalances, and numerous other factors. For some individuals wishing to reduce or withdraw from prescription medications, herbal remedies and supplements have been a an integral part of this process. As well, some natural remedies are shown to support and reduce cravings for individuals who struggle with substance misuse and addictions.

How can I tell if therapy is working?

I am not the right therapist for everyone, so it’s important to communicate about your experience. Let me know how therapy is going, what is working well, and even what you may not be finding helpful, together we will figure out what adjustments to make. I am always happy to make a referral to find a therapist who may be a better fit for you. If you are benefitting from working with me, or any therapist, then we will be able to observe changes in your behavior that indicate growth. It’s important that you’re honest with how you’re doing in the world and in your relationships.

What if I don’t struggle with mental health problems but have a hunch that I could feel better and be happier?

Holistic practices are not just for individuals who suffer with mental illness. Anyone who is motivated for change and good health can benefit. Modern life with demands of family, work and technology is stressful and impacts our ability to be present and find time for pleasure. Finding life-balance, taking care of yourself, feeling connected to others are all integral aspects to optimal mental health. Working with a holistic therapist can give you the external structure and support to get you feeling better in your life, even when you are experiencing difficulties and significant stressors.

I’ve had experience with traditional talk therapy and would like to try something new. What other types of therapy do you offer?

For individuals who are looking for less "talk therapy," I offer a somatic, psychotherapeutic approach informed by many modalities, including: EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Polyvagal and Social Engagement, Internal Family Systems, mind-body stress connection, as examples.

What problems can a Holistic Psychotherapy approach help me resolve?

Holistic mental health solutions helps people better manage their stress and create a healthier life-balance. Some examples of modern challenges includes: relationship struggles, prolonged grief and loss, difficult transitions, deleterious stress, anxiety, depression, attentional difficulties, ADD/ADHD, emotion dysregulation, unresolved trauma, lack of exercise, circadian rhythm abnormalities, and so much more.

What services do you offer?

I offer individual or couple therapy & coaching, consultation (solution-focused flash appointments, 1-3 appointments) and holistic psychotherapy. Together, during your initial consultation, we can decide the best fit for you as we consider your current struggles and goals for your health and wellbeing.

How does virtual coaching & psychotherapy work?

I am currently offering virtual psychotherapy and coaching appointments to those residing in New York State.

Online treatment works much like in-person treatment, except it’s more flexible and convenient. Patients participate in virtual visits with the same comprehensive care as an in-person visit. It works best when you have a safe and quiet setting and can give the session your full attention. To protect your confidentiality, try to use a private room with a closed door. Headphones can be useful to maximize privacy as well.

I prefer to keep my psychotherapy & wellness coaching practice paperless. We communicate with a secure online portal, get forms signed online, and share screens to share information and resources. Online sessions take place on my HIPAA compliant platform called SimplePractice which is similar to FaceTime and Zoom (but more secure). You will receive instructions and a link after you schedule and before your first session. We can also use FaceTime or Zoom. When I am in New York City, we can meet face to face.

Can we work together if I don’t live in New York?

If we are doing psychotherapy, you must reside in New York as this is where I am licensed to practice. If you live within or outside of New York State, we can work together using coaching or consultation, and that would be private pay.

Do you offer holistic psychotherapy sessions at a reduced fee?

Sliding scales are available on a case-by-base basis. I prioritize each individual’s unique condition to ensure that therapy is accessible. If I am not a fit for you financially, or for any other reason I am happy to provide you with referrals from my larger mental health network in New York.

How do I pay for sessions?

I require a credit card to be kept on file in my practice management system. You may also use HSA. You will be charged at the time of service.

What are your current fees?

My fee is comparable to other psychotherapists at my level of advanced training and experience in New York City. Feel free to contact me directly for my appointment fee. If you plan to use insurance, please inquire about your Out-of-Network reimbursement for insurance CPT codes: 90834/45 minutes, 90837/60 minutes

Session fees are paid at the time of service via credit card or HSA. As a courtesy, I will process your out of network insurance. Your reimbursement check will be mailed to you.

Initial Consultation is $200

What is a "Good Faith Estimate" in Psychotherapy?

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost.

Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.

Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your healthcare provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.

If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.

Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 800-985-3059

How to begin psychotherapy with Holistic Psychotherapy New York?

This practice utilizes evidence-based holistic approaches that can help you achieve optimal health and wellness while addressing common mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, ADHD and PTSD-related symptoms. The best way to begin your holistic psychotherapy journey is to schedule an initial consultation. Consultations are a full hour, and you will leave the session with a wealth of information and support for your concerns, as well as a plan to move forward.

What life changes can be expected with Holistic therapy & coaching?

• Reframe current life circumstances and gain a different perspective

• Learn to manage difficult work and personal transitions and changes such as marriage, new baby, mid-life problems and aging

• Gain the support needed to get through difficult times such as loss and change

• Learn to feel and live a more authentic life, accept feelings of being “different”

• Develop healthy self-esteem and resolve persistent negative “self-states”

• Develop healthier coping skills, habits and boundaries

• Have healthier personal and work relationships

• Develop awareness of any repetitive patterns that interfere with success and happiness by understanding how past dynamics interfere with the present

• Learn to better manage difficult people both personally and professionally

• Develop a path of purpose and life fulfillment

• Heal from past trauma and abuse and process traumatic memories and dissociation

• Increase insight and self-awareness and identify innate strengths

• Improve communication, learn conflict resolution, develop better listening and self-assertion skills

• Address depression, sadness, feelings of despair and isolation

• Learn helpful coping skills for stress, anxiety, phobias and panic attacks

• Relieve stress and insomnia and learn relaxation responses

• Manage destructive patterns that include drinking, eating, drugs, addictions and self-harm

• Understand negative and habitual patterns of thinking and behaving

• Resolve writing, creative and other performance blocks

• Mourn losses such as separation, divorce, miscarriage, infertility or the death of a loved-one

• Develop effective parenting skills

• Address problems related to chronic pain, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders, medical procedures and diagnoses

• Heal from sexual abuse, emotional/psychological abuse, domestic violence and natural disasters

• Resolve sexual and identity concerns

• Manage feelings of overwhelm, feel more embodied and develop an awareness connection between mind and body

Concerns addressed in this nYC Holistic Therapy Practice:

• Depression (postpartum depression, SAD, bipolar disorder, situational depression, chronic sadness)

• Stress, anxiety, panic disorder, insomnia

• Crisis counseling, life-challenges + transitions

• Self-sabotage, blocking beliefs, fear of success + failure

• Dysfunctional relationships, communication issues, problem dynamics

• Spiritual or existential concerns, shadow work, purpose + energetic blocks, work-life balance

• Hormone imbalance, chronic pain, medical diagnosis, autoimmune disorders

• Problem relationship patterns + dynamics

• Toxic Shame, negative self-concept, low-self-esteem, feeling not “enough”

• Dissociation, numbness or hypoarousal, hyperarousal

• Addictions, substance abuse, compulsions + poor coping skills

• Boundaries, personal empowerment, identification of needs, trouble saying no + interpersonal effectiveness

• Compliance, appeasement, accommodation + conflict avoidance

• Empaths, HSP’S, adult children of narcissists and borderline parents

• Codependency, submissiveness + recovery from family enmeshment

• Guilt, loss, grief + prolonged bereavement

• Sex positive therapy

• Perimenopause + menopause mental health assessment + coaching

Therapeutic Modalities Used in Holistic Psychotherapy NYC

• Interpersonal & Relational Psychotherapy

• Psychodynamic & Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

• Humanistic & Existential

• Integrative Medicine & Nutrition Coaching

• Women’s Hormonal Mental Health Assessment

• EMDR Therapy

• Somatic Experiencing®

• Internal Family Systems (IFS)

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

• Attachment-Focused Couples Therapy

• Executive & Transformational Life Coaching

• Positive Neuroplasticity Training

• Positive Psychology

Holistic Psychotherapy Services Provided in this private practice:

• Individual Psychotherapy

• Couple & Family Psychotherapy

• Anxiety Treatment

• Depression Treatment

• Trauma Resolution

• Short-Term Solution-Focused Therapy

• Sexual Counseling

• Concierge Therapy Services

• Telemedicine via HIPPA-Secure Video or Phone

• Therapy Intensives and Weekend Intensives for Individuals and Couples

• Transformation Coaching

• Executive Coaching

• Perimenopause/Menopause Hormone Mental Health Assessment

• Integrative Nutrition & Wellness Coaching to Optimize Mental Health Naturally

Holistic Psychotherapy NYC & Clinical Expertise

• Depression (major, postpartum depression, SAD, bipolar disorder, atypical depression, dysthymia, situational depression, chronic sadness)

• Stress, Insomnia & Anxiety (panic disorder, generalized anxiety, phobias, social anxiety, PTSD, fear, worry, insomnia)

• Women’s Hormonal Health Perimenopause/Menopause Mental Health Assessment/Coaching

• Crisis Counseling, Transitions, Addiction Assessment

• Obstacles, Paralysis, Performance Blocks, Blocking Beliefs, Dysfunctional Dynamics

• Spiritual or Existential Concerns, Shadow Work, Life Purpose, Energetic Blocks

• Hormone Imbalance, Nutrient deficiency, Chronic Pain, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Medical Dignosis, Attentional Issues, Brain Fog, Autoimmune Disorders, Neurotransmitter Dysfunction

• Narcissistic Abuse Identification and Recovery, Codependency, Betrayal

• Empath, ACOA and Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) Coaching

How will your life improve with holistic counseling?

• Gain support through a personal crisis, transition, loss, trauma or challenging situation with the help of a supportive therapist

• Heal codependency and feel empowered, autonomous, safe and secure in your life

• Uncover unconscious blocking beliefs that may be sabotaging your success and happiness using Mindfulness, EMDR and IFS Therapy

• Address dissociation, body image, eating disorders, compulsions, addictions, substance use or abuse and obsessions using cutting-edge therapies such as specific EMDR Therapy protocols, Somatic Experiencing Techniques and Internal Family Systems therapy

• Learn to identify important thoughts, feelings, emotions, motivations and unconscious internal conflicts with a psychodynamic psychotherapist

• Develop enhanced self-awareness as well as empathy and compassion for self and others with a relational-style therapy approach

• Break through blocks in intimacy, detach from unhealthy relationships and break patterns of repetition in significant relationships

• Learn to identify triggers that lead to anger, confusion and relationship dysfunction working with an experienced couple therapist

• Develop effective, assertive communication skills in personal and professional situations in your therapy sessions

• Learn more adaptive coping skills, self-care rituals, self-acceptance, mindfulness and habits to create a healthy work-life balance with coaching

• Uncover patterns of crippling perfectionism that interfere with achievement, success and personal happiness using EMDR and IFS therapy

• Process and heal painful feelings of loneliness, disappointment, sadness, loss, grief, guilt, shame, anger, envy and fear

• Resolve trauma and abuse symptoms, develop healthier boundaries and heal early attachment wounds with an experienced EMDR Therapist

• Obtain consultations for referrals to psychopharmacologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health experts, allied professionals, conventional and alternative medical practitioners