Please note: At this time, I am not taking any new individual clients. However, I am still screening middle school and high school teens for
Social Anxiety Groups. If you are interested in this service, please click on GETTING STARTED!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you only see children/teens?
I see children and teens between the ages of 6-19. However, sometimes I will make an exception to see an adult if it is a good fit.
Do you see young children?
I don’t usually see kids younger than 5. Sometimes therapy is not beneficial for a child younger than 5 as they may not understand the concepts I’m teaching. However, if a parent is having trouble with their anxious child, I am happy to help them develop a game plan for their little worrier!
What type of therapy do you provide?
I provide Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure Therapy for my anxious clients, the gold standard for treating these difficulties. I am a VERY skills-based therapist. I will teach you and your family a lot of things and give you exercises to practice so that your brain becomes strong enough to go out and do what you want to do!
Will you see my child, or will I (the parent) be included in therapy?
I think parents must be part of the treatment, especially for anxiety. The truth is I’m only spending 45 minutes with your child. It would help if you were involved so you know what to do at home. This is especially true if your child’s anxiety impacts family dynamics (which most do!). Children may want more privacy as they age, but we will discuss this during our consultation. I usually say if it’s a skill that’s being learned, a parent needs to be aware to help in whatever way they can when they are out of session.
I see you run groups. What if I want my child in a group?
I always assess that a child is ready for a group. Groups are usually appropriate for children/teens who have been in therapy for 2 months or more and need the extra exposure and skills to overcome their anxiety. The only groups I’m running now are social anxiety groups for girls.
How long will therapy take?
It will depend on the client. Some clients want to learn the skills and move right out of therapy; others need more time and support. There is no right or wrong way. Once we have reached a place where the client feels better, we can cut down to bi-weekly or monthly until you feel ready to leave therapy.
How is your work with neurodivergent clients different than with typical clients?
Neurodiversity means that everyone’s brain is unique and works differently. So, I ensure I know all this before seeing anyone. I usually ask, “What is the best way that you learn?” and I incorporate the way my client learns into what we are doing in therapy. I have seen clients with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and other different abilities.
What’s the process of therapy like?
That depends on the individual. But usually, I will set up a parent-only appointment. The first appointment is generally longer (about 60 min-75 min), so I can get as much information as possible about your child and family history. After that, you will get a time that works for both of us. That time will be your allotted time for sessions. Sessions are usually 45–50 minutes long.
Do you provide telehealth?
Sometimes! I like to see clients in person, especially little ones, as treatment is more effective in person. I will see certain clients (usually young adults) through telehealth if they can engage. If it’s not working out, I will ask them to come into the office.
Do you work with a psychiatrist?
I do not work with one specific psychiatrist, but I have a list of psychiatrists I will work with and refer to. We usually work together for the best treatment outcomes.
Do you take insurance?
Because of the restrictions insurance companies put on us therapists to do our best work, I have decided not to take insurance. However, I have a biller (Kathy) who helps my clients get reimbursement without the hassle of doing all the runaround! There’s a different process for NYSHIP clients, so if you have this insurance, please let me know during our call.