FAQ
Where are you located?
Why do you only work online?
What are your hours?
How long are your sessions?
Effective therapy cannot happen in less than 100 minutes. That’s because the “real work” does not happen without complete venting and empathy, which usually takes about 45 minutes.
And if you’re willing to do the work, I offer even longer sessions.
Although rare, there are times when a single, 50-minute session is appropriate (e.g., a final session to wrap things up).
Do you accept insurance? What is wrong with insurance?
No, I’m not “in-network” for any insurance provider. However, many insurance companies reimburse for out-of-network mental health services. If you are willing to take the confidentiality risk, I will give you the paperwork for reimbursement. More on that…
If you asked me what’s wrong with insurance, I would say, “Almost everything!”
Insurance views psychotherapy as a form of medical therapy. From that perspective, there is no need to allow for more than one 50-minute session per week. That is one of the main reasons people stay in therapy for years instead of months! (Yeah, there are also some incompetent therapists, but we won’t talk about that!)
Insurance also under compensates. That means that a responsible therapist will not have time for high-quality training, consultations with other experts, marketing, and other essential activities that ensure high-quality treatment.
Finally, it’s impossible to guarantee confidentiality when using insurance.
How much does all this cost?
A “standard” 50-minute session is $220.
In the long run, this is the most expensive option because, at this rate of 50 minutes per week, you are likely to spend many months or years with me. I don’t think you would want that!
The more you work on therapy, the faster you realize your goals.
A “double” 100-minute session is $440.
This is a more cost-effective option because you will cut the time you spend in therapy significantly (if you do homework).
Here’s an analogy: If you buy high-quality clothes at Talbots, your clothes will last many years. Buying clothes at Walmart seems cheaper, but you’ll spend a lot more in the long run.
And happiness is worth a lot more than clothing!
How do I set up an initial appointment?
Don’t… not yet. We need to talk and determine whether we can work together successfully.
Call me to set up a phone consultation: (973) 944-0274.
After that, we can do the administrative and legal gobbledygook and get things started.
What is your cancellation policy?
I offer a premium service that is difficult to schedule, so I need a 48-hour notification of your need to cancel. If less than that, you will be held responsible for the fee for the scheduled time.
However, life happens to all of us, so I might also have something come up for which I’ll need to cancel at the last minute. In that case, I will owe you a free session(s) for the time I could not make it.
Why do you work only with adults?
The real goal of therapy is to give you the tools to feel good (or great). That will only happen when you are the one who is responsible for your emotional life.
Children are not responsible for their welfare. But, as an adult, you can take charge of life and have a happy and fulfilling life.
How do you work with couples?
A couple is a combination of two adults and a relationship between them.
If one or both people relinquish responsibility for their happiness, there will be issues in the relationship.
If one side believes they are unhappy because of the other partner or believes they can only be happy because of the other partner, then that lack of freedom and agency will become toxic.
After an initial evaluation of the couple, I will work on the emotional issues of one or both of the partners. Once the likelihood of being triggered by the other is significantly reduced, we’ll focus on communication skills to enhance real emotional intimacy.
Do you assign psychotherapy homework?
Absolutely. Any change is a lot of work.
Psychotherapy involves changing thought patterns you have developed over a lifetime. To accomplish amazing things, you will need to practice for at least 15 minutes every day.
The more you are dedicated to this project, the faster you will achieve your goals. Nobody else can do that for you.
What modalities do you use?
If this weren’t an FAQ page, I would ask you to clarify your question. But, alas, I have probably never even met you (and I might never meet you).
I have been around for a very long time and have had all sorts of training. It’s too much to list here, but if you want to know how I work, I suggest you look into “TEAM-CBT.” That is a framework for therapy developed by David Burns, MD. His latest book, Feeling Great, outlines the method in great detail. Oh… and about 30% of the people who read it and apply the method do not need professional help!
How can I make the most out of working with you?
Dedication, determination, and daily practice.
Learning emotional skills, changing thought patterns, and improving communication are the most complex challenges facing all human beings… harder than becoming a concert pianist. There will be times when you want to give up.
You might be familiar with the story about the visitor to NYC who asked, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” The answer was, “Practice, practice, practice!”