What kind of therapy do you practice?
I was trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy. However, I am familiar with, and use elements of, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and interpersonal therapy.
What do you treat?
I specialize in the treatment of anxiety disorders, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Specific Phobia, Social Anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. I also specialize in emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.
What is cognitive-behavioral therapy?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, is meant to be short-term and goal-oriented. The objective is to change thoughts and behaviors, which will, in turn, change feelings. Ultimately, CBT provides clients with strategies to help them navigate unpleasant thoughts and behaviors now and in the future.
Do you take insurance?
Yes, I am on the panels of Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield and Northwell Direct. As of 1/1/2023, I will be out-of-network with the New York State Health Insurance Plan (NYSHIP, also known as Beacon Health or ValueOptions). I also accept CHIP/HIP through Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield. If I am in-network with your insurance company, I will bill the insurance company directly for your sessions, and you will only be responsible for session co-pays or co-insurance costs at the time of your visits. Your authorization will be required for me to submit insurance claims in accordance with HIPAA. It is important for you to know that I will be required to identify a diagnosis in order for claims to be processed for reimbursement. It is also important for you to understand that, despite my maintenance of confidential records, some personal patient information shared with your insurance company is no longer under my direct supervision. Insurance companies require an official record of treatment, including how many sessions, diagnosis, and progress reporting. In some instances, insurance companies may request treatment plans and session notes to determine medical necessity, based on their standards of care. Therefore, each individual patient or guardian must decide whether to utilize insurance.
For those who do not have insurance through the companies listed above, you may have coverage for an out-of-network provider through your insurance company, and may be able to get partially reimbursed. You will need to speak with your insurance company to determine whether your plan has that type of coverage. If it does, we will work together to make financial arrangements. In some cases, like with NYSHIP, I will be able to submit claims directly to your insurance company; in other cases, you will have to pay me in full and then you can get reimbursed from your insurance company.
What if I need to take medication?
I am not a psychiatrist, so I cannot prescribe medication to you. I will get you connected with a psychiatrist in the area, whom you can see for medication management.
How frequent are my therapy sessions?
Sessions are generally held weekly, and are 45 minutes in length. If it is determined that the frequency of your sessions needs to change, this will be addressed in therapy.