Frequently Asked Questions
***My practice is currently full. ***
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… thanks for your patience!
My practice serves adults in the greater NYC area seeking in-person sessions, which are more conducive to the somatic (at times, even hands-on), experiential approaches I specialize in.
If you prefer a therapist offering online services, of course, there are numerous practitioners who have continued with virtual-only or hybrid practices. Please take a look at the lower section of Find A POC Therapist, where you will find resources to guide your search.
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 complimentary, introductory call. Please complete the contact form 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.
Weekly sessions are typically 45 minutes. Whenever possible, the first meeting will be 60 minutes.
Sometimes, a client will ask to meet twice per week, especially in times of greater need or distress.
If explorations include hands-on support on the table, I recommend 60-minute sessions. Sometimes clients request extended sessions based on how the somatic work evolves. Together we will discuss what may be appropriate, and collaborate to see what makes the most sense.
Research shows that weekly psychotherapy is most effective. The beauty of a regular weekly appointment is that it’s your time. Even still, 45 minutes 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, look forward to it, implement things during the week and share 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, developing awareness and skills for self-regulation—like learning anything else—come about through reminders, repetition, ongoing guidance and reinforced learning over time.
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.
As of June 2024:
45-minute sessions $285
60-minute sessions $375
Extended sessions by arrangement
Fees change periodically, typically once per calendar year. Clients will, of course, be notified in advance of a fee increase.
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 an out-of-network provider. If your insurance plan includes out-of-network benefits, you will likely be able to seek reimbursement for a portion of services.
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, and even call your insurance company for details.
Please inquire with your insurance 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? Is your in-network deductible the same as your out-of-network deductible? Have you met it yet? How much have you accumulated so far this calendar year?
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 are your plan’s “allowable amounts” for psychotherapy (code 90834 for a 45-min session, code 90837 for a 60-min session)?
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
America’s Mental Health Barrier: Why it’s so hard to find a therapist in-network by Annie Waldman, Maya Miller, Duaa Eldeib and Max Blau, ProPublica
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 are therapy sessions usually 45 or 50 minutes? by Caroline Bologna, HuffPost
Why is therapy so expensive? by Nicole Pajer, HuffPost
Taking Account of Rising Health Care Costs by Chris Hamby, New York Times
Insurance can restrict mental health care. What laws protect patients in your state? by Annie Waldman and Maya Miller, NPR and ProPublica
Uncovered – a series of articles from ProPublica investigating various insurers, especially if your claims have been delayed or denied
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 – perhaps untranslatable into monetary value – are just a few of the outcomes from beneficial therapy experiences.
The No Surprises Act took effect on January 1, 2022 and was enacted with the primary goal to protect patients from unexpected medical bills. The new legislation is most applicable to emergency settings and out-of-network providers at in-network facilities.
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.
