"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing." ~ Abraham Lincoln
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Comprehensive Answers
WHAT DOES MY INSURANCE COVER? HOW MUCH IS MY CO-PAY?
Unfortunately, I generally don't have access to this info since it completely depends on your individual policy. The simplest way to get it is to call the number on the back of your insurance card and let them know you're planning to see me (my National Provider Identifier # is 1649635863). They'll tell you what you can expect to pay based on your policy. As mentioned above, intensive sessions are not insurance-eligible.
WHAT ARE YOUR CREDENTIALS?
I am a licensed mental health counselor in New York State.
WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING?
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR ME TO FEEL BETTER ONCE I START THERAPY?
WILL ANYONE FIND OUT THAT I’M COMING TO THERAPY?
There are no guaranteed quick fixes in therapy and everyone is different. With that said, most folks in counseling with me see an improvement within months, not years. It’s important to remember that you get a say in the duration of your counseling. Some people decide they want to stay in therapy indefinitely as a tool for self-care. Other folks want to get help with a particular problem and finish counseling in a few months. Still others do a one-time intensive session, and experience enough relief that they may not need a second. I use the level of your satisfaction with our work together to determine our success rate rather than the length of time you spend in therapy.
I CAN’T AFFORD THERAPY AND I REALLY NEED HELP. WHAT DO I DO?
Mental health counseling is a particular psychotherapeutic discipline. Like other mental health professionals, MHCs can identify and treat mental illnesses. However, we tend to focus more on wellness than illness. Simply put, we are experts in helping people use their strengths to overcome life’s challenges, and in talking people through problems. You do not need to have a mental illness to seek counseling, nor does seeking counseling mean you have a mental illness. You can find more information about mental health counseling here.
In general, not unless you tell them. Everything you say in therapy, even the fact that you are a client in the first place, is strictly confidential. Some possible exceptions to this would be if you tell me that you are going to harm yourself or someone else, or if you inform me of ongoing child abuse or elder abuse. These are all situations in which I am required by law to make a report to the relevant authorities. I also have a policy of reporting ongoing animal abuse. In addition, a court of law can compel me to share your treatment information with them by means of a subpoena. Barring these circumstances, no one will ever be privy to what you and I talk about in counseling unless you give me your written permission to share something with them.
First, please be aware that there are resources in Dutchess County to help you. The county mental health helpline is 845 485-9700, and they will be able to direct you to low or no-cost services. If you are seeking therapy as the result of a crime and do not have insurance, or your insurance does not cover sessions with me, please be aware that every county in New York State has a crime victims' assistance program that may be able to provide you with several services, including a limited number of free therapy sessions (check out Dutchess County's program here). Also, please know that if you are seeking therapy because of a crime committed against you, you may be able to receive reimbursement for your session fees through the New York State victims’ fund via the Office of Victims Services (OVS). An OVS claim can cover up to 100% of the cost of your therapy.
DO YOU DO IN-PERSON SESSIONS?
Generally speaking, no—my practice is completely virtual.
CAN I USE MY INSURANCE FOR THERAPY?
I am currently in-network with Fidelis and Aetna and will remain so until the end of 2023. If you have a different insurance carrier, you may want to find out whether you have out-of-network benefits that allow you to see providers outside your insurance network. If so, let me know and I can provide you with documentation for out-of-network reimbursement, also called a "superbill." Please be aware that intensive sessions are generally not reimbursed by insurance due to their non-traditional format.