New York City-Based Psychotherapy
 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

  • A first session is an opportunity for me to get a feel for who you are, what some of your concerns might be, and to get an idea of what life has been like for you recently. It’s also an opportunity for you to get to know me and my working style. There will be plenty of time for you to ask me questions! It’s also important to note that a first session is not a commitment for future sessions. The first three sessions allow both you and I to determine rightness of fit. Typically somewhere in the first three sessions we’ll have a conversation about continuing on together or going in a different direction.

  • Absolutely not! I believe anyone can benefit from therapy, and I specialize in working with people who want to “go deeper.” Deeper into understanding who they are, deeper into understanding the world around them, and deeper into understanding why they are the way they are. Sometimes this feels more like something is “missing” than something is “wrong.”

  • I offer the flexibility of conducting sessions both in-person and virtually. You have the choice of traditional face-to-face meetings in my welcoming office in the Flatiron District, which provides a safe, personalized, and direct interaction.

    Alternatively, virtual sessions are available to accommodate geographical constraints, scheduling preferences, and other considerations. Through secure online platforms, we can ensure a seamless and effective therapeutic experience.

  • Sessions are 50 minutes in length and cost $175 per session. I offer a limited number of sliding scale spots for clients who demonstrate financial need. I accept all major credit cards and flexible spending accounts.

    See more info on insurance in the questions below.

  • I accept clients who are in-network with my insurance providers, those who are out-of-network, and those without insurance.

    Over 80% of clients who are covered by in-network insurance have an average copay of $25 per session. You can get a copay estimate here.

    At this time, I accept the following insurance plans:

    • Aetna

    • Allied Benefit System

    • AllSavers UHC

    • Boon Chapman

    • Cigna

    • Golden Rule

    • Harvard Pilgrim Health Plan

    • Meritain Health

    • Nippon

    • Optum Health

    • Oxford Health Plans

    • Surest

    • Trustmark Health Benefits

    • UHC Student Resources

    • UMR

    • United Healthcare

    • United Shared Services

    • Wellfleet

    Coverage depends on your individual plan and benefits, but my in-house billing team will help you verify your benefits to understand your coverage.

    If you have an insurance provider that’s not listed, I'm happy to work with you to optimize insurance reimbursement if you have out-of-network benefits.

  • If you're covered by an insurance provider I'm not in-network with, you still may be able to receive coverage for therapy. Many PPO plans provide out-of-network benefits for mental health services.

    You may be eligible for reimbursement for some (or all!) of the cost of your sessions. I can provide a monthly superbill (i.e. itemized receipt) for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.

    If you’re unsure about your out-of-network coverage, my billing team can help you identify your benefits.

    To find out if you have out-of-network benefits for mental health, check your coverage by reviewing your EOB or asking your provider the following questions:

    • “Does my plan include out-of-network benefits for mental health care? Specifically, for outpatient psychotherapy?”

    • “Is approval required from my primary care doctor?”

    • “What is my co-insurance?"

    • “Do I have a deductible for out-of-network mental health services? If yes, what is the remaining amount I will have to pay before my health plan starts to reimburse me for fees that I pay out-of-pocket?”

    • “How many sessions per year does my health insurance cover?”

    • “What is the maximum amount my plan will reimburse for mental health service code 90834 (individual therapy sessions) with a psychotherapist?”

    You can also use this out-of-network reimbursement calculator to approximate your benefits. Once we decide to work together, my billing team will verify your benefits.

    *In instances where “out-of-network” benefits are covered, you will be responsible for full payment at the time of service. Your insurance company will reimburse your expenses afterward, most often in the form of a check.

  • Treatment decisions (such as duration, frequency, and type of therapy) may be influenced by insurance companies. Opting for private payment eliminates caps or limits on therapeutic work, providing ample opportunities for gradual exploration, deepening, and personal growth over the years.

    Additionally, insurance often necessitates a "medical necessity" criterion, requiring a DSM V diagnosis for covered care. While we can explore and integrate diagnoses if beneficial for your healing journey, there's no need to pathologize your experience to provide assistance. For those prioritizing treatment flexibility, paying out of pocket may be a more suitable option.

  • If you’re ready to start your journey, reach out on my Contact page to book a free 15-minute consultation!