Frequently Asked Questions

If someone is struggling with thoughts, emotions, behaviors, or relationships, therapy can help develop strategies for dealing with problems in a healthier way. By participating in therapy, you can make important and meaningful changes in your life.

The goal of an evaluation is to identify and document a specific type of psychological problem you may be experiencing. It could be emotional (Anxiety, Depression, OCD), developmental (Autism Spectrum, Intellectual Disability), behavioral (ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder), or affecting your ability to learn (Dyslexia, Dyscalculia).

A report is created using the evaluation’s findings and provides useful information, which can include a diagnosis and treatment recommendations. People often use this report to access special programs, pursue services or modifications in school, or receive accommodations on standardized testing.

If you still aren’t sure what you need, please give me a call and I’ll help you figure out what approach is best for your needs.

Absolutely. Before we set up the first appointment, we can speak over the phone (or communicate through text or email, if preferred) to discuss your concerns and describe possible approaches that could help. You’ll be able to get a sense of my expertise and style of treatment, which you can then use to determine if I can help with what you need.

My goal as a therapist is to become an expert in you. I strive to learn about your experiences, feelings, actions, and beliefs in order to provide you with the best care possible.

I don’t ask for them, as this would be a violation of our industry’s ethics code.

I take confidentiality very seriously and will not risk listing anything that could be associated with someone who I have helped or are currently helping. This is why I choose not to list reviews to ensure that I never exploit someone who came to me in a time of need.

Mostly. Confidentiality is protected by New York State law, but there are specific exceptions where information must be provided without your written permission (or in the case of a child in therapy, written permission provided by a custodial parent or guardian).

These include intentions to cause self-harm, intentions to hurt an identified individual, or suspected abuse.

Otherwise, permission must be given for any personal information to be directly provided to a third-party.

Each session is usually 60 minutes. However, some sessions may be longer than 60 minutes, especially if we are working on problems associated with OCD or an anxiety disorder that requires treatment to be done at a location outside of the office (for example when confronting an anxiety during driving, in public, at the dentist’s office, etc.).

It depends on the issues you want to address. Some people successfully learn the necessary strategies to deal with their problems in a few sessions, while others may take longer to learn how to work through their difficulties.

Very often, clients will begin treatment to address a particular issue, then become satisfied with the progress they are making in that area and want to work on other concerns as well. There are also people who feel they have achieved their goals in therapy, but still come in occasionally to make sure they stay on track and sustain the progress they have made. Ideally, you keep coming to sessions because you find you are getting something beneficial from them. Most people do. But if not, you do not have to keep coming.

The best answer for how long therapy lasts for someone might be that it depends on your individual goals and if you feel it is helping you work towards them.

Typically, new clients will come in once a week. As you become satisfied with the progress you are making and able to use the techniques and strategies you have learned, we discuss making sessions less frequent depending on how often you feel you need them.

If someone is in crisis, or if time is of the essence (someone with a fear of flying going on a trip in a few weeks or a college student who wants to work on social or executive functioning skills during a school break), then we may meet more often until there is a significant improvement or a resolution.

There are also clients who are returning to therapy, or already possess a good foundation of strategies. They might need a little help using their skills to deal with a new or recurring problem. In this situation there is flexibility in how often we meet. If you have concerns about affordability, we have the ability to meet once every few weeks and compensate for this by providing you with additional exercises and materials to use when we do not meet.

Usually, sessions take place in the Jericho office. However, many clients choose to have virtual sessions (a.k.a. Telehealth or Teletherapy) using a secure online video platform. We can also have sessions over the phone. Based on your situation and therapeutic need, we may meet in your home for a brief period of time (until you are able to come into the office for treatment).

There are also times where we may choose to meet at a completely different location to work on your specific goals. There have been part or entire sessions spent in elevators, driving back and forth across bridges, stuck on the LIE, in exotic pet stores, or other places where you are able to confront your phobia.

I have gone to the local mall and other public places with clients to take advantage of opportunities to overcome social anxiety. To help with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, we seek out locations in which you can confront and practice changing your responses to triggers.

In other words, our session location is flexible and will be chosen to best meet your unique needs and goals.

If at any point you feel like you would benefit from a session before your next scheduled day and time, please feel free to contact me and I’ll try to do everything in my power to get you in as soon as possible.

If something comes up that may not require a full session, I provide ways of contacting me and do my very best to respond to you quickly.

(Please keep in mind that text and email sent to me is not encrypted and therefore is not considered secure. If you are providing sensitive personal information or concerns, you are encouraged to do so via telephone.)

It is important to note that if you find yourself in an emergency situation that requires immediate help, you should call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency room.

I strive to provide people with strategies, techniques, and information to be able to move in the direction of their chosen goals. However, we know that with certain types of mental health issues, medication has been shown to be a helpful component of effective treatment. I can gladly discuss with you the benefits, drawbacks, and limitations of medication as you consider whether it is a direction you want to pursue.

While I do not prescribe medication, I can provide you with referrals to practitioners (psychiatrists, neurologists, psychiatric nurses) with whom I have successfully collaborated in the past and feel comfortable recommending.

Unfortunately, I am not in-network with any private insurance company, nor do I take Medicare, Medicaid, or Child Health Plus. Because I do not receive payment directly from them, I can provide you with a completed form to send to your insurance company for out-of-network reimbursement for therapy or an evaluation (if applicable). It is emailed to you at the end of the month and has all the information needed to help you access your out-of-network benefits. For many individuals and families, they receive a check from their insurance company that covers a large percentage of the session or evaluation cost. You would need to call your insurance provider to find out exactly how much is reimbursed and whether there is a deductible.

(When you call, let them know that you will be working with a Licensed Psychologist and the CPT codes for therapy will be 90791 and 90837. For an evaluation, the CPT codes are 96130, 96131, 96136, and 96137.)

Let me know and I will gladly adjust my session rate based on your situation. If your insurance company is not helping you or a family member get the care you need at a more affordable price, I will do what I can to help you.

The rate is usually $250 for a 60-minute session, unless other arrangements have been made. Payment is expected at the end of each session.

Usually, half the amount is due by the end of the second testing session (or the end of the first if there is only one needed). The remainder is due just before the report is ready to be sent out. Please let me know if you need or prefer a different schedule.

Cash, check, all major credit cards, Health Savings Accounts, and Flexible Spending Accounts are among those accepted.

Unfortunately, services like PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, Google Wallet, and Apple Pay do not yet have the privacy and security measures needed for use with your private health information.

The forms are available to be completed online through the secure Client Portal. A link to access this will be emailed to you upon scheduling your first appointment. Once you are on the platform, please fill in the demographic information, then click on “Forms” in the top left corner. Please note that the appointment may need to be rescheduled if the intake paperwork is incomplete or incorrect.

Everything possible will be done to accommodate your need for expediency. An additional fee may be applied if an accelerated pace or unusual time frame is required.