Frequently Asked Questions

Why do people seek therapy?
What are the benefits and risks of psychotherapy?
What can I expect in a therapy session?
Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?
Is psychotherapy confidential?

Why do people seek therapy?
People enter psychotherapy for many reasons. Some seek support to respond to unexpected changes in their lives, while others are interested in self-exploration and personal growth. Therapy can provide support, problem-solving skills, and the development of enhanced coping skills. Importantly, people who choose to engage in the process of psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions. They work towards self-change and create greater awareness and satisfaction in their lives.
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What are the benefits and risks of psychotherapy?
A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. Often it is helpful just to know that someone understands. Therapy can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction toward a solution. Many people find therapy to be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, and the stresses of daily life. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put what you learn into practice. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

Attaining a better understanding of yourself and your personal goals/values
Being able to access a wider range of emotions
Increased ability to discern life choices and greater meaningfulness in one’s life
Greater trust in your own inner wisdom
Learning skills for enriching your relationships
Integrating new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
Being able to better manage anger, depression, and other emotional discomfort
Improving communications skills - learning how to listen to others, and have others listen to you
Getting "unstuck" from unhealthy patterns, and developing new ways of relating with yourself and others
Developing a greater capacity to give and receive love
Discovering new ways to solve problems
Improving your self-esteem and feeling more confident to get what you want out of your life

It is important to know that there are some risks inherent in the psychotherapy process. Some people will feel uncomfortable emotions during the course of their treatment. These feelings may include sadness, anger, grief, anxiety, guilt, frustration, loneliness, and helplessness. Exploring unpleasant parts of one's life can cause initial discomfort, but is essential for working through and resolving overwhelming experiences that impair relationships, derail careers, and lessen the overall enjoyment of life. Part of the power of psychotherapy is having a guide and ally while in these potentially uncomfortable emotional states. You are not alone, and being able to be in this experience with another person [the therapist] is actually a significant part of the healing process.
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What can I expect in a therapy session?
During sessions you are expected to talk about the primary concerns and issues in your life. Sessions typically last 45 minutes, and will usually be scheduled weekly. During the time in between sessions it is beneficial to think about and process what was discussed. At times, you may be asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records of certain things. For therapy to "work," you must be an active participant, both in and outside of the therapy sessions. The more effort you can put into challenging yourself outside of the session, the more progress you will see.
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Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?
I do not accept insurance. However, I will provide you with a statement that you can submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement if you have an out-of-network option. In order to ensure that you have the financial ability to start and continue psychotherapy, it is important to clarify exactly what your benefits are. This preparation will help to protect your treatment. Contact your insurance company with the following questions:

Do I have mental health benefits? If so, do I have an out-of-network option? Since I am not on any HMO panels, you will need an out-of-network option in order to get reimbursement for psychotherapy with me.
What is my deductible?
What is the percentage of coverage? Is it 50/50, 70/30, or some other split? Make sure you know exactly what percentage of the fee will be your responsibility.
What is the “R & C,” or “reasonable and customary’ fee that the insurance company uses as a basis for reimbursement?
The R & C is the maximum fee that the insurance company will reimburse, and will also factor into how much reimbursement you can expect per session. It is usually based on a provider’s zip code and the procedure [CPT] code. My zip code in NYC is 10003; NJ is 07760. The CPT code for an individual, 45-minute session is 90806.
Are there a maximum number of sessions per calendar year that my plan covers?
Is a primary care physician approval required?
Is a pre-certification/pre-approval/pre-authorization required prior to starting psychotherapy with an out-of-network provider?
Find out if the provider needs to contact them in order to secure approval for you to start therapy, and discuss this with me.

Is psychotherapy confidential?
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and a psychotherapist. Information is not disclosed without written permission. However, there are number of exceptions to this rule. Exceptions include:

Suspected child abuse and/or neglect. The therapist is required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s. The therapist must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to enlist the client’s cooperation in insuring their safety. If the client does not cooperate, further measures may be taken without his/her permission in order to ensure their safety.