About my stance and practice:
- I offer brief (5-10 sessions) and some longer term supportive counseling for clients who are facing life-changing events and decisions.
- I also provide support for clients, friends and family members facing potentially terminal illness, and those who are bereaved.
- Additionally, I am a clinical supervisor who offers steady mentoring to other clinicians working with in wide variety of specializations, both in the office and remotely by phone and video conferencing.
- I lead reading/study groups – both in office and online – for clinicians, clergy, and counselors who are interested in learning about depth psychology in a flexible integrative environment
- I am available to coach and support fiction writers and story tellers through character development and the thickets of the creative process.
- I am also available to facilitate “Death Ed” groups/workshops to help providers and clients to develop language and tolerate anxieties around issues of death and dying.
Clients and supervisees count on me to help them face fears, weighty decisions, and the uncertainties of life by creating a space to access their intuition, understand their emotional responses and make choices that help them feel proud of themselves.
If you are considering setting up an initial consultation, please first review the information below and then feel free to contact me here:
Policies and Fees
Insurance:
Although I don’t accept insurance, many clients are reimbursed something by their insurance companies, depending on the plan. Its generally worth a call and find out what they reimburse for “out of network” mental health services as it gives you a better sense of your financial options and restrictions. Rarely, insurers will contact me for additional information, treatment planning and benefit management even though I do not contract with them. I have chosen not to work with insurers in this way and it may effect your coverage.
Flex-Spend:
Many companies offer their employees “flex-spending” accounts/cards which allow you to pay for uncovered medical expenses before taxes – and I can accept flex spending payments.
Fees:
My standard fee is $300.
I am sometimes able to be financially flexible based on financial need and ability.
Payment Methods:
I accept cash, check, credit card, flex-spending cards, pay-pal and Chase Quick-pay payments. I prefer to be reimbursed the day of service if possible, but can make arrangements for you to pay once a month, if that is more manageable.
Statements:
I will be able to give you a printed or pdf statement with a diagnosis and procedure code at the end of each month if you plan on submitting statements to insurance.
If you are not submitting to insurance and you would like an annual or a quarterly summary for tax purposes, please let me know.
Cancellation Policy:
If you are running a fever, or are unwell, I can offer you a phone/ online session if you are well enough to talk and check in. I am unable to meet face to face with clients who have actively contagious illnesses.
Otherwise, there is a charge for all cancellations made less than 48 hours before your session. There are, of course, exceptions for extreme personal, family or medical emergencies.
Waiting List and Referral Information:
If I don’t have any available standing appointment times that work, you are welcome to either join my waiting list, or contact one of the therapists from the list below.
If you would like to join my waiting list:
Please let me know what days and times will work with your schedule.
If you need or prefer to see someone sooner this is a short list of psychotherapists and colleagues that I am close to, know well, and engage in peer suppervision with. These are the colleagues that I learn something from, and that I am grateful to have in my professional life. I have referred good friends, family members and clients to them all, and know their work intimately.
David Amarel PhD – David is one of my suite mates at Hanover Place – and also happens to be my husband. But I still think he is a very good therapist -(of course I’m not objective!)
He is often full, but occasionally has openings. Fee range: $145-$190
James Masten PhD – James is also a suite mate in our Wall Street area offices, one of my dearest friends and colleagues, and someone I turn to for peer supervision. James has a generalist practice as well as a specialization in supporting gay men with HIV and AIDS. Fee range: $150-$200
Andree Pilaro LCSW – Andree is a supervisor of mine, and I have shared cases with her and referred friends and clients to her for many years. She does group, individual and couples work. Sliding scale.
Christopher Torsiello LMSW – I have referred many cases to Chris in the past and we collaborate with each other regularly. I think he is an excellent intuitive clinician. Warm, honest, and active. Fee Range: $100 and up
Marc Sholes LCSW Marc is one of my oldest and dearest professional mentors. A kind, warm, and knowledgeable presence. He teaches and supervises at the National Institute of the Psychotherapies. Fee Range: $160 and up
Lissa Hunsicker LCSW – Lissa is a warm, kind and supportive therapist with a specialization in trauma work. Her offices are in Brooklyn. She is often full, but has occasional openings.
She has a sliding scale.
I also refer regularly to these therapists who I trust and who are googleable:
Kelly Sykes PhD – Brooklyn
Beryl Nightengale PhD – Brooklyn
Bridget Vidunas RN, LSCW -Manhattan
Thomas Moore PhD – Manhattan
John Nathan, LCSW- Manhattan
Kacy Ames-Heron PhD – Manhattan
Shinhee Han LCSW- Manhattan
Hank Flacks, LCSW – Manhattan
Paul Iappini LCSW – Manhattan
Jeffery Spodak PhD – Manhattan
For remote work by video conferencing:
Genna Brocone LMFT – Colorado
Kim Ehly, LCSW – Florida
For referrals for under $100:
I have had good experiences referring clients to these excellent treatment centers with very affordable sliding scales:
Midtown Marriage and Family Therapy
NIP: National Institute of the Psychotherapies
William Alanson White Institute Clinic
Consultations Online or by Written Correspondence:
If you are unable to make a session, are ill or traveling and we are unable to reschedule, or if you are living in an area where it is difficult to secure supportive services – and it is clinically appropriate – it is possible to arrange for a secure written consultation or a secure online video conference consultation.
For writing sessions, and again, only when appropriate, the client writes or “journals” to me about their concerns for 45 minutes, and I review the document, and respond by in line-text, for 45 minutes and return it at a designated time.
Encryption available.
Please feel free to bring up any questions you may have at our initial consultation – and I will be very glad to address any questions or concerns you may have.