I believe that everyone can benefit from therapy at some point in their life, but it is for you to decide if therapy is right for you now. It is a commitment to keep coming back weekly to work on yourself and dig deeper. You have to dedicate your mind, your time, and your energy to make change. This is not easy work, but you are worth it. To me, therapy is a lot of identification and shifting of a person’s unhealthy patterns and connections to more adaptive ones. This means that something earth-shattering doesn’t have to happen to seek therapy, but it is often a catalyst to start the deeper work.

I will introduce myself, talk a bit about my background, and make space for preliminary discussion about what has led you to reach out at this time. We will also go over any questions you may have about working with me. If we think we might be a good fit, we will discuss logistics of working together (such as telehealth aspects, locations, payment, and insurance) and schedule your first appointment. If we decide I might not be the best fit for you based on your needs, I will do my best to provide you with referrals in the community. I encourage all potential clients to have a consultation with multiple therapists, as having a good fit is important for this kind of work.

During the first few sessions, we will be getting to know each other a bit more, including clarifying your goals for treatment, digging deeper into the “story” of your life, and talking more about the specific modality we plan to use to help you best. Sometimes the first couple of sessions can feel like a trial run and that’s totally okay!

I really wish I could answer this question, but I believe all people are so incredibly complex. If you are able to commit to therapy on a regular basis, most clients report some level of improvement in symptoms within a month or two. We will determine collaboratively throughout the course of the therapeutic relationship aspects like movement towards achieving goals, frequency of visits, and eventual completion of therapy. I see some clients for just a few months, while others I have worked with for several years. I also sometimes have clients complete therapy successfully and return later in life when a new stressor arises that they would like to process.

I see all clients via telehealth, using a secure HIPAA compliant platform called Simple Practice. And it really is simple, you can easily join from the comfort of your own space on a phone, laptop, or tablet. There is a convenient app as well. You must be physically located in NY at the time of your session due to licensure requirements.

My private pay/out-of-network rate is $180 per 50 minute session. I am also in network with some insurances.

I am currently in network with Quest, Oxford, Optum, Oxford, United Healthcare, and BCBS of Massachusetts via Headway. I am also in network with Cigna and Aetna via Alma. Additionally, I can provide a superbill to clients who would like to submit for reimbursement through their insurance if they are eligible. It is the responsibility of the client to confirm their benefits with insurance. I also do take HSA cards. You can use this free service to check your out of network benefits online.

If I do not take your insurance directly, I would be considered an out-of-network (OON) provider in the eyes of your insurance company. Sometimes clients can seek full or partial reimbursement from their insurance company by submitting the superbill that I will provide to you on a monthly basis if you are eligible for out-of-network coverage. I recommend all clients CALL the number on the back of their insurance card if this is an option you want to pursue. Some questions you might want to ask include:

-Does my insurance plan cover out of network services for telehealth with a LMHC?

-Do I have a deductible I need to meet prior to getting reimbursed? What is the amount & how far am I from reaching it? When does it reset?

-What amount will I get reimbursed per session?

-Is there a session limit per year?

-How do I submit my superbill? Online or mail? Are any other documents required?

-How long will it take for me to get reimbursed?

I have found that my unofficial “niche” is working with clients who have done SO much work already… including as all the self-help books and a few great talk therapists. But they still come to me feeling stuck. EMDR is great for clients who tend to use their cognitive skills to avoid the real work of addressing what is keeping them stuck deep within their nervous system on a somatic or emotional level. This type of therapy really allows the client to dig deeper and get unstuck from whatever still has a hold on them.