FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I see clients by appointment Monday – Friday from 7:30 am to 9 pm.

I have master’s degrees in Psychology and Social Work and am a licensed clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience working with individuals, couples and groups.

I’ve worked in agency settings in addictions and mental health facilities, serving people with a variety of emotional issues. I decided to launch a private practice about 26 years ago and have maintained a practice ever since.

I also teach graduate students who want to become social workers and supervise professionals.

Fee Schedule:

$200 for initial 80-minute intake appointment.

$150 per 50-minute follow-up sessions.

$200 per 80-minute session (recommended for couples therapy and intensive trauma work)

I also offer a 10% discount for packages of four sessions, if paid up front. So if you come for an intake, you can purchase a package with the intake session plus 3 subsequent sessions for $585 instead of $650. That’s a savings of $65.

This 10% discount is available at any time during your treatment.

Sessions are a minimum of once a week until you are doing better and are in the process of ending therapy, at which time they will be reduced to bi-weekly or once a month.

Psychoanalysis and trauma therapy are more in-depth and generally require sessions twice a week.

I am considered an out-of-network provider and, at your request, will provide monthly statements for you to receive partial reimbursement from your insurance company. (Please contact your insurance company to verify the out-of-network benefits for your specific plan.)

I also reserve two sliding-scale sessions a week for clients in need. If you have limited funds, please contact me to see if one is available.

Therapy is a financial commitment, but it is more beneficial if we are not constrained by the limitations of insurance companies. For one, insurance plans require you to have a mental health diagnosis. They will not cover services unless they are a “medical necessity.” There are some diagnoses which are not covered at all.

For more information on the limitations of insurance, please read the following:

http://psychcentral.com/lib/why-managed-care-hurts-you/

Psychotherapy is just a term used to describe the process of treating emotional problems instead of physical ones.

“Psychotherapy” alone does not imply any particular training, qualifications, licensure or experience.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) who is able to prescribe medications. Their focus is generally on the bio-chemical aspects of mental illness.

Some psychiatrists are also trained as psychotherapists or psychoanalysts.

Psychologists and social workers have similar training. Most states require psychologists to have doctorates (PhD) to use that term (not in PA).

Many psychologists are interested in how the brain functions, memory, etc. They are also qualified to do psychological testing, for instance in schools.

Post-graduate training is preferred for them to do psychotherapy.

Counselors are trained in counseling and have to have 3000 hours of practicum to become Licensed Professional Counselors.

Social workers receive hands-on practice experience with individuals, families and groups as part of their Master-level training.

They are trained to see things broadly, not just in terms of the emotional problems of the individual, but also the impact of their family, society and any other systems that may be involved.

Social workers need additional training and 3000 hours of experience to become licensed clinical social workers. Many have additional training and supervision after that.

I am proud to be a social worker with significant post-graduate training and over 30 years of experience.

LCSW = Licensed Clinical Social Worker

MA = Master’s degree in Psychology

MSW = Master’s degree in Social Work

PsyA = Certified Psychoanalyst

I work with women, men and gender non-conforming clients from the age of 14 through all of adulthood.

That’s an excellent question because many therapists have no specialized training in couples’ therapy. I have had extensive training in Emotionally Focused Couple’s Therapy (EFT) which has been shown to be highly effective for couples from a variety of different backgrounds.

For more information, click here.

Your first appointment is what we call an “intake session” and it takes 80 minutes. During this time, you and I will determine if we are a good fit.

I will ask you a bit about your history, why you’ve come for therapy, and will be very frank as to how I might be able to help. This is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about the process, as well as about me.

For more information, click here.

Most people are in therapy for an average of two years but some, with complex problems or trauma, require more time.

Some people come with short-term issues which can be addressed in as little as 3-4 months. As a client, you will know when you have achieved your goals, and it is time to work toward ending.

I run groups for people who have experienced trauma, and also for people of color. For more information, click here.

No, I see couples but do not generally work with larger family units. Family therapy is a specialized treatment modality, best performed by licensed marriage and family therapists.

I am happy to provide referrals to colleagues for this service.

I request that you provide a minimum of 24 hours’ notice to cancel a scheduled session. When we begin to work together, your time slot is yours and yours alone.

If you cancel, I will try to schedule someone else during that time. Clients who fail to give 24-hours’ notice are charged a $100 “late cancellation” fee.

If there is an emergency, the cancellation fee is waived.

That’s a reasonable question considering I am a black woman. Yes, in fact I enjoy a diverse practice and work with clients from many different backgrounds.

About half of my clients are white people and the other half are people of color or of mixed race. I have also worked with people from diverse religious backgrounds.

I’m fortunate to have worked with many individuals and couples who are part of the LGBTQQIA community.

Many initially seek me out because I also have a marginalized identity, which they see as helpful in understanding some of their presenting concerns.

No, while I do sometimes teach mindfulness exercises for trauma and anxiety (which may make some clients so relaxed that they feel as if they are in a trance-like state), it is not hypnosis.

You will always be in control of what you do and say.

No, the couch comes from classical psychoanalysis. In therapy and relational psychoanalysis, clients are free to sit in any way they find comfortable.

No, I graduated from a 5-year certificate program at Manhattan Institute for Psychoanalysis, a school for Relational Psychoanalysis which is contemporary.

For more information, click here.

No, only a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse or physician’s assistant can prescribe medications.

Sometimes if clients would benefit from a combination of talk therapy and medication, I will refer them for an evaluation for medication.

You’ll know because you will see significant improvement in your life and relationships.

Clients always know when they have achieved their therapeutic goals. However, some clients choose to continue in order to work on new goals.