Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about counseling and therapy. I hope you find this information helpful.
Do you offer sessions only in-person?
I offer both in-person and virtual sessions. I offer both services to better fit your needs. Sometimes a session may have be scheduled for in-person, but needs to be changed to virtual. I can easily pivot to make this happen and allows for continuity of care.
Do you accept insurance?
While I don’t accept insurance directly, I do work as an out-of-network provider. Many clients choose this option and are able to receive partial reimbursement for sessions, depending on their plan.
If you’d like, we can talk through your insurance benefits together and see what reimbursement might look like for you. NYSHIP is one plan that often offers out-of-network coverage, and other plans may as well.
For those using insurance, I provide a superbill that you can submit for reimbursement. Most clients request this after the first couple of sessions and then monthly moving forward. I’m happy to help guide you through the process so it feels as simple and manageable as possible.
Will insurance pay for my treatment?
The honest answer is, I don’t know, as it depends on your insurance policy.
I provide treatment on an out-of-network basis. Some people don’t have out-of-network insurance benefits. But, if you have out-of-network benefits, individuals often will be partially reimbursed by insurance companies. You will need to call your insurance company and ask if you have “out-of-network” benefits for mental health treatment. If you do, ask the insurance company if you first need to meet a deductible, how many sessions are allowed, what percentage will be covered. These answers will be different for each policy.
Another option for reimbursement is using a flexible spending account or health savings account through your employer. These options allow you to pay for your treatment with pre-tax dollars. Check with your employer to determine if you have this option.
I can provide you with a super-bill to get reimbursement from either of these options.
Why can’t you bill insurance directly for me?
In the past, working directly with insurance companies was more straightforward. Today, plans, rules, and coverage details often change, and miscommunication can create unexpected stress for clients.
I found that even when everything was submitted correctly, clients were sometimes left with surprise bills or unresolved claims. To avoid that experience, I’ve chosen a private-pay model so your costs are clear and predictable from the start, with no surprises later.
This approach also allows me to focus fully on your care and tailor our work to your needs—rather than insurance limitations.
If you’d like to seek reimbursement, I’m happy to provide a superbill after payment is received and can walk you through how to submit it to your insurance company. You don’t have to figure it out alone.
What is counseling like with you?
I take a whole person approach in counseling which is a holistic framework that treats the individual’s entire being: mental, emotional, physical, social and spiritual (if applicable), rather than being solely focused on symptoms. The approach I take addresses root causes of distress, integrates eidence based therapies with lifestyle changes, and empowers people to achieve a more balanced, healthier life.
I create a safe and private space where you can slow down, feel understood, and talk openly about what’s been weighing on you and keeping you feeling stuck or overwhelmed in your emotions or your relationship. If we touch upon something that is emotionally activating, I’m fully ready to help you reach a more comfortable place within. We may stop what we’re doing and focus more on somatic exercises that are more pressing in that moment, to restore inner peace.
I will be fully present in our sessions, no notepads or pens, phone off and I am ready to meet you where you’re at. We will explore how you’ve been feeling, seeing what works and what hasn’t, and we’ll try to pivot to new skills and perspectives that are more effective based on your input and feedback.
Although there is no guarantee, The American Psychological Association (APA) emphasizes that “a strong, compassionate therapeutic relationship—marked by empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard—is essential for positive client outcomes.” This is my foundation of all that I do in our work together.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to reach out to me either by clicking one of the buttons below or call me at (631) 406-3139.
Is my information confidential?
Yes. Because I have opted out of participation with managed health care organizations, I can protect your confidentiality, as your information does not go through insurance companies. I also do not work with any tech firm organizations that collect data on people their therapists provide services to. Tech companies don’t care about care, confidentiality nor the safe relationship between client and therapist.
Your confidentiality is most important to me, as a clinician. Confidentiality is the key ingredient to help foster trust and a good outcome from your work in session.
What is your cancellation policy?
The time we set aside for your session is reserved just for you. If you need to cancel or reschedule, I ask for 24 hours notice. Sessions canceled with less notice are charged at the full session rate, as that time can’t be filled by someone else.
I also understand that life can be unpredictable. If illness or an unexpected emergency comes up, I approach those situations with flexibility and care, and you won’t be charged for something truly outside your control.
Therapy is a shared process, and I value showing up for each other with respect, warmth, and intention.