FAQs

Therapy is new to me. How does it work?

Individual therapy involves a one to one private and confidential conversation that most often occurs on a weekly basis. If you are interested, please contact me and we can schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation. You tell me what’s bringing you into therapy, and I answer your questions about my practice.

We then schedule a couple of appointments to see if we feel like we’re a good fit. If we feel that we will work well together by the end of the second appointment we will develop goals for the therapy. If for whatever reason, we don’t feel like a good fit I am happy to provide you with names of other psychological and counseling services in the area.

How long does therapy last?

A therapy session lasts approximately 50 minutes, and most clients come in once a week as it is hard to make progress with less frequent appointments. Sometime people come in twice weekly depending on what they are wanting to work on. Therapy can last anywhere from a few months to a few years depending on the type of therapy we do, what it is that’s bringing you in, as well as time and resources.

Do you meet via telehealth as well as in-person, and what are your hours?

I work Monday through Friday from 8 am to 6 pm with an option for evening appointments. I see people in person and on telehealth. In person appointments are held at my office in the Medical Tower Building at 255 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. I also see people via telehealth on a HIPPA compliant telehealth platform. I can see people in 42 states across the country as a member of PSYPACT which is an interjurisdictional agreement among states for psychogists to practice telepsychology. .

What is the cost of each session, and do you take insurance?

I charge $190 for an individual session and $210 for couples and family sessions. I am in-network with the Aetna insurance company, which means I bill them directly and the client may have a small co-pay for each appointment.

In regards to other insurance companies you would submit paperwork directly to insurance yourself. I provide you with monthly invoices and an insurance specific statement called a Superbill. The Superbill has the necessary codes for you to gain reimbursement for the service; depending on your type of insurance plan you may receive a significant reimbursement for psychotherapy and counseling services.

How does payment work?

I take credit cards, Health Savings account cards or Venmo for payment. If payment is through Aetna they will pay me directly and you may have a co-pay.

Will you coordinate care with my doctor or psychiatrist?

Yes, you will need to sign a release of information for me to consult with your other providers. Coordinating care with outside providers is a routine occurrence.

What is your approach to psychotherapy?

My therapeutic orientation is largely psychodynamic psychotherapy which includes thinking about early childhood influences, unconscious process and where the relationship between the patient and the therapist is key to the work. My approach to therapy, while orientated in psychodynamic therapy is integrative; I will use techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) mindfulness and somatic therapy, couples therapy and family systems therapy in my work.

Evidence shows that while many different avenues of therapy are effective for shorter and longer periods of time, the active ingredient that all have in common is the relationship between the patient and the therapist.

When we meet I will take a thorough history and consider family genetics, childhood experiences and family dynamics, life trajectories, current stressors as well as your strengths to develop an understanding of what is bringing you to therapy. I tailor the treatment to fit each unique patient and endeavor to pay close attention to what works best given a patient’s preferences, personality and life circumstances.