Frequently Asked Questions
This section includes some frequently asked questions many people have before attending their first session:
Q:I'm not quite sure that what I am experiencing warrants therapy. Should I wait until I'm really at my wit's end?
A: Ultimately, you are the one to decide if you are ready to seek help for what's going on in your life. The first appointment is a consultation where we can talk about the things that are upsetting to you and determine if treatment is warranted and/or if this is the right time for therapy for you and your family. Sometimes the result of the consultation is to identify an appropriate referral or to get ideas for a few strategies to try on your own rather than to begin more extensive therapy.
Q: What will my first appointment consist of?
A: Your first appointment will be a consultation visit lasting approximately 50 -60 minutes. You and I will discuss the major concerns you are having. At the end of the consultation I will propose a diagnosis and some options for you. For children and teens, I will seek information from other important adults in their lives which may change my diagnosis and recommendations. I will provide an appropriate referral if I am unable to treat you.
Q: I think that my child needs therapy. How often will I, as the parent, have to be involved in the sessions?
A: I rarely see children alone for the initial session for a number of reasons. There are also very few occasions when I see parents without the child for the first session. Following the initial consultation, we will work together to determine how much each family member should be included to best treat the presenting problem. Also, for young children who have significant disruptive behavior, anxiety, or mood concerns, parents are involved to some extent during most sessions.
Q: How long are treatment sessions?
A: Each session is 45 - 50 minutes long. Most patients attend sessions on a weekly basis, but others opt to attend sessions twice a month.
Q: How long will I need to be in therapy?
A: The length of your treatment depends on the issues that you need to address, your diagnosis, and the treatment plan that is developed with you. When we are developing the plan for treatment, we will also consider a suggested length for your therapy. Some people feel better rather quickly, while others stay in treatment for longer. As you make progress you and I can discuss changes to frequency of sessions and anticipated length of care.
Q: I heard that therapy involves homework at times, can you describe what therapy homework is?
A: Therapy is not a process that takes place just during our time together. Therefore, being asked to think about, identify, and practice new thoughts, feelings and behaviors between session is pretty common.
Q: Is what I share with my therapist confidential?
A: Your confidentiality is protected by New York and federal law as well as by the rules/ethics of my profession. I maintain high standards of confidentiality but there are also limits (see consent form for details).
Q: What if I think I need to be evaluated for medications or I am already prescribed medications?
A: I am a licensed psychologist who is not able to prescribe medication. However, I could provide you with a referral to a psychiatrist or I can also consult with your primary physician or psychiatrist about psychotropic medication, with proper consent.
Q: How will I know if I'm getting better?
A: During our first sessions together we will identify goals that you would like to accomplish during therapy. We will develop a plan for treatment and measure progress periodically to ensure that goals are not only being met in a timely fashion, but that they continue to be the goals that are important to you.
Q: Do you take insurance?
A: I am currently a provider with Excellus and Aetna. I am considered "out of network" for some other insurance plans. Unfortunately, not all plans cover all services, regardless of provider. You are responsible for knowing what your plan covers. Please call my office to talk about your specific insurance and coverage.
For other insurances: If you wish to seek reimbursement from your PPO health insurance, I will provide you with a bill you can submit. According to many PPO insurance plans, I would be an "out-of-network" provider and some portion of the services may be covered. However, you will need to verify their reimbursement policy.
Q. What forms of payment do you accept?
A. I currently accept cash and checks.
Q:I'm not quite sure that what I am experiencing warrants therapy. Should I wait until I'm really at my wit's end?
A: Ultimately, you are the one to decide if you are ready to seek help for what's going on in your life. The first appointment is a consultation where we can talk about the things that are upsetting to you and determine if treatment is warranted and/or if this is the right time for therapy for you and your family. Sometimes the result of the consultation is to identify an appropriate referral or to get ideas for a few strategies to try on your own rather than to begin more extensive therapy.
Q: What will my first appointment consist of?
A: Your first appointment will be a consultation visit lasting approximately 50 -60 minutes. You and I will discuss the major concerns you are having. At the end of the consultation I will propose a diagnosis and some options for you. For children and teens, I will seek information from other important adults in their lives which may change my diagnosis and recommendations. I will provide an appropriate referral if I am unable to treat you.
Q: I think that my child needs therapy. How often will I, as the parent, have to be involved in the sessions?
A: I rarely see children alone for the initial session for a number of reasons. There are also very few occasions when I see parents without the child for the first session. Following the initial consultation, we will work together to determine how much each family member should be included to best treat the presenting problem. Also, for young children who have significant disruptive behavior, anxiety, or mood concerns, parents are involved to some extent during most sessions.
Q: How long are treatment sessions?
A: Each session is 45 - 50 minutes long. Most patients attend sessions on a weekly basis, but others opt to attend sessions twice a month.
Q: How long will I need to be in therapy?
A: The length of your treatment depends on the issues that you need to address, your diagnosis, and the treatment plan that is developed with you. When we are developing the plan for treatment, we will also consider a suggested length for your therapy. Some people feel better rather quickly, while others stay in treatment for longer. As you make progress you and I can discuss changes to frequency of sessions and anticipated length of care.
Q: I heard that therapy involves homework at times, can you describe what therapy homework is?
A: Therapy is not a process that takes place just during our time together. Therefore, being asked to think about, identify, and practice new thoughts, feelings and behaviors between session is pretty common.
Q: Is what I share with my therapist confidential?
A: Your confidentiality is protected by New York and federal law as well as by the rules/ethics of my profession. I maintain high standards of confidentiality but there are also limits (see consent form for details).
Q: What if I think I need to be evaluated for medications or I am already prescribed medications?
A: I am a licensed psychologist who is not able to prescribe medication. However, I could provide you with a referral to a psychiatrist or I can also consult with your primary physician or psychiatrist about psychotropic medication, with proper consent.
Q: How will I know if I'm getting better?
A: During our first sessions together we will identify goals that you would like to accomplish during therapy. We will develop a plan for treatment and measure progress periodically to ensure that goals are not only being met in a timely fashion, but that they continue to be the goals that are important to you.
Q: Do you take insurance?
A: I am currently a provider with Excellus and Aetna. I am considered "out of network" for some other insurance plans. Unfortunately, not all plans cover all services, regardless of provider. You are responsible for knowing what your plan covers. Please call my office to talk about your specific insurance and coverage.
For other insurances: If you wish to seek reimbursement from your PPO health insurance, I will provide you with a bill you can submit. According to many PPO insurance plans, I would be an "out-of-network" provider and some portion of the services may be covered. However, you will need to verify their reimbursement policy.
Q. What forms of payment do you accept?
A. I currently accept cash and checks.