FAQ & Insurance

What is the purpose of counseling?

Mental health counseling is meant to serve as a safe place for individuals to process emotions and experiences, explore alternative options for coping or general behaviors, and experiment with different ideas and social choices. Counseling can help one develop healthier routines and skills, improve relationships and self-esteem, and gain the ability to make insightful and meaningful decisions on a daily basis.

Counseling can also be focused on one particular event or circumstance that is causing the patient distress. Loss, isolated traumas, and other specific events or instances may need to be thoroughly worked through in order for the patient to experience relief.  

What should I expect the environment to be like?

Comfortable and casual, yet professional and challenging! Imagine sitting in your living room enjoying thoughtful conversation with a close friend, except the focus is all on YOU! I work hard to incorporate humor, empathy, compassion and thought-provoking content into each session. A great counseling environment should feel safe and nurturing, but also introspective and purposeful.

How many sessions do I need to attend?

There truly is no ‘right’ answer. I like to think of counseling as a ‘part’ of one’s wellness routine. You may get regular check-ups at the doctor or treat yourself to a massage or spa experience once in a while – counseling is no different. Your mind deserves self-care just like your body does! The therapeutic relationship does not have to ‘end’ simply because you have made progress or are in a better place. Attend sessions weekly, biweekly, monthly or as needed. Together we will determine what is right for you during each phase of your journey.

Will I experience “results” after one or two sessions?

You may! Everyone enters the counseling environment with different needs and expectations. Some individuals may feel an immediate sense of relief from simply sharing their thoughts and recounting what they have been through. For others, it might take a few weeks to feel connected to both the counselor and the counseling environment before they start to feel invested and productive. My suggestion is to be open to attending at least 4-6 sessions before forming your viewpoint.

How can my counselor help me if we have not been through the same situations?

This is a very common concern. Patients will often wonder, ‘How can my counselor help me if we are not the same age? Or the same gender? Or if we have experienced different upbringings or different losses and experiences?' The good news is – none of those similarities are required to have a successful counseling experience. Your counselor is there to help you sort through your feelings and experiences using their knowledge and skill-set, not to compare their story to yours. Remember, you may be the same age or gender as someone else yet have very little in common with them. You might have children and speak to another parent only to find you do not share the same parenting style or values. As a counselor, my job is to learn about who YOU are and work with you to identify healthy ways to reach your counseling goals. It is your values, your skills, and your preferences that create the foundation of our counseling work.

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ACCEPTED INSURANCE PLANS 

Aetna

Beacon

BlueCross BlueShield

Cigna

GHI

MagnaCare

NYSHIP

Optum

Oscar

Oxford

UnitedHealthcare

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