Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if therapy is right for me?

Therapy is a useful treatment to address difficulties with anxiety, depression and relationship struggles. By gaining support and understanding, therapy is a valuable tool to gain self-awareness, greater coping strategies and communication skills with others. This insight will help you generate solutions to manage and cope with improved life strategies and skills.

It’s useful to seek therapy when navigating major life changes such as loss and transitions-both planned and unexpected.

What can I expect in therapy?

Therapy begins with a thorough evaluation of current life stressors and relevant history. With your written permission, I have found that coordination with other care providers is a useful tool. A care plan is then developed to identify treatment strategies and to schedule of follow-up visits. I will encourage clients to read relevant materials, become more educated on self-care methods and, if necessary, learn self-monitoring techniques to track their progress. With your permission other family members can participate to aid and assist in your care.

Clients can expect:

• Tools to develop productive and lasting change
• Improved self-awareness and appreciation for their coping skills
• How to address negative emotion patterns

How long can I expect to be in therapy?

The time commitment varies according to the individual and their needs. I usually see benefit in an initial course of weekly visits. Once clients hit their stride and have made some gains, the schedule of visits begins to taper and monthly follow-up visits are the norm. Clients can check back in for future follow-up care when necessary. I do not subscribe to a rigid weekly schedule of appointments.

Is medication a substitute for therapy?

There are a number of psychological conditions that respond well to psychiatric medications. However, these drugs address only symptom relief. They do not change one’s response to stress or reduce the negative interactions that contributed to the triggering situation or relationships.

The clinical literature strongly recommends that clients benefit most when psychiatric medication is used in combination with talk therapy. With your written permission, I will collaborate with your physician.

I manage well most of the time, is therapy really for me?

Having mixed feelings about participating in therapy is expected. It can be a real measure of independence and self-awareness to know when getting help from a professional is necessary. Seeking additional support during stressful times can reduce your degree of suffering, provide alternative coping strategies and offer a safe and confidential atmosphere to express your pain and suffering.

What insurance do you accept?

Most insurance plans cover mental health services including psychotherapy. I participate in the following insurance plans and EAP networks:

• Aetna
• Cigna
• Beacon Health
• Emblem
• Empire BC/BS
• Empire NY SHIP
• GHI
• Healthfirst
• HIP
• Magnacare
• Medicare
• Oscar
• Oxford
• United Healthcare

How confidential is therapy?

The privacy of all of my clients has always been a top priority. According to state and federal laws, the communications between a client and psychotherapist is protected. No information is disclosed without your written permission.

When there are extraordinary safety issues at risk, the following exceptions are in place. The therapist is required by law to alert authorities when:

• There is a suspicion of abuse or neglect of children or dependent adults
• If the client is threatening physical harm to another individual
• If the client is at personal risk of self-harm, such as suicide
• In this situation, the goal is to help the client address this crisis and cope in the safest method available. If this fails, emergency services may be necessary.