FAQS

WHAT WILL MY FIRST COUNSELING APPOINTMENT BE LIKE?

During your first appointment the counselor will share with you how counseling works.  We will explore what led you to come in and what you are looking to gain from the experience of counseling. Our focus will be on getting to know each other and answering any questions you have. We will move at your pace as you feel comfortable.

HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO BE IN COUNSELING?

The time people spend in counseling varies widely depending on what they are trying to work through.  Some people do very focused work in three months, others do more general continuous work over years.  We will check in regularly to see how you feel about the progress we are making together.  This is a deeply personalized process and we will need to continuously reevaluate the work we are doing together.

DO YOU ACCEPT INSURANCE?

We want to make sure that sessions are priced in such a way that you are able to attend sessions for as long as you need to.  While we don’t accept insurance at this time, some insurance plans have out-of-network benefits, and we are happy to work with you to determine whether or not our services would be reimbursed as part of your plan.

WHAT ISSUES DO YOU WORK ON?

We've worked with people on a wide range of issues including trauma, burnout, chronic illness, depression, anxiety, grief and mourning, identity development, family issues, relationship challenges and leadership development.  We also work with people who want to develop strategies for greater health and wellness.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY

There is a $30 cancellation fee if you cancel an appointment less than 24 hours before your appointment.

WHY ARE YOUR FEES SO EXPENSIVE?

If our base fee is outside of your budget, we can discuss a sliding scale rate. We believe that counseling services should be accessible and affordable for everyone. We also know how hard it is to find affordable counseling in New York City.  Ideally, we would like the decision around whether or not to work with us to revolve solely around whether or not it feels like a good fit.  And we hate the idea of someone walking away because of our fee.  The reality is that the cost of doing business in New York City is high, but we are actively looking for funding sources or opportunities to bring down our operating costs.  Let us know what you can afford, and if we can't make it happen right now, we can work with you to find resources that work for your budget.

ISN'T THERAPY JUST LIKE TALKING TO A FRIEND?  DO I REALLY NEED THERAPY?

Some therapists believe that everyone needs therapy.  That is not us.  We think therapy can be enormously helpful and beneficial, particularly if you are feeling stuck.  Conversations with friends can be deeply healing.  Good friends who listen with empathy and love are the cornerstone of good mental health.  And also, we often stop short of asking for the support we need from our friends and family because we worry about burdening them or jeapordizing the relationship, or because they are themselves part of a pattern that we are worried about.  As counselors, we dedicate our lives to learning about ways to facilitate healing.  That experience can prove helpful.  Particularly if we have been feeling stuck or in a rut for long time.

I'M WORRIED THAT PEOPLE WILL FIND OUT I'M IN THERAPY

Your privacy is incredibly important to us.  As clinicians, it is literally written into our code of ethics.   During our first session we will review our confidentiality agreement together. 

Sometimes we are worried that people will see us as weak or less than if they know that we are in therapy.  There is, still, an awful lot of stigma out there around counseling services.  If you are worried about people finding out, let us know and we can figure out strategies together that will help protect your confidentiality.

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That being said, my unscientific estimate is that a quarter of this city has spent some time in therapy.  It is nothing to be ashamed of. Many successful people have been in therapy and even attribute their success to some of their work in that process. Stigma can be a real barrier to getting help, so great job seeking support in spite of it, you are in good company. 

WHAT IF WE MEET AND AFTER A FEW SESSIONS I STILL DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THE THERAPIST?

This happens. A lot.  It's so important that you feel like your therapist gets you.  It should feel like a good fit.  There is a substantial amount of research that shows that the therapeutic relationship is one of the best predictors of good outcomes.  If you are not feeling it, please let us know.  We will help you find someone who is a better fit.  We will not take it personally!  Someone can be an amazing therapist for 100 people, but a terrible fit for the 101st person.  You will probably know by the third session whether or not it feels like a good fit.  Which is why we created our consultation package, which provides three sessions at a discounted rate, for you to get to know us, get to know how we work, and get recommendations around what kind of support makes the most sense for you.  If at the end of those three sessions your gut is telling you that you would like to work with a different clinician, let us know and we can help you identify clinicians that might be a better match.  We are committed to your healing and following your lead on what that looks like for you.

WILL I RECEIVE A DIAGNOSES?

While diagnosis is not a main focus of our approach to counseling, in order to receive reimbursement, we may need to provide your insurance company with information about your diagnosis. We will be transparent with you about this if it comes up and explore your feelings about what receiving a diagnosis would mean to you. For some people it can feel like a relief to have a diagnosis, as it helps them make sense of their symptoms and not feel so alone. For others, it can feel uncomfortable to have a label, especially if it doesn’t align with their experience and identity. Both reactions are valid and we feel that while diagnoses can be helpful at times, there are biases in mental health treatment and it is not a perfect science.