Frequently Asked Questions...
What does a virtual somatic session look like?
In most sessions, I will facilitate the process of:
1) observing, greeting, and feeling sensations and emotions in your body,
2) holding, supporting, and nourishing these waves of sensation in the present moment,
3) identifying and re-shaping the stories you tell yourself about these sensations.
Why do you only offer virtual sessions? Isn't it better to do somatic work in person?
There are a few reasons why I've chosen to do online somatics work.
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Accessibility for those that are not able to leave their house easily due to COVID, disability, chronic illness, tight schedules, etc.
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I can offer my services to folks that live in other parts of New York.
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I have more low-fee sliding scale spots because I am not paying rent on an office space.
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Almost all of my somatics, bodywork, and trauma training has been online, so I am confident that the tools I've learned and developed are effective in a virtual space.
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Doing somatics virtually allows you to have more privacy and intimacy with yourself than you might have if you're sharing space with someone. During sessions, I may invite you to turn off your camera or mute yourself. This way, you do not have to be watched as you explore and play, allowing the body's language of sounds, imagery, sensation, and movement to flow more freely.
What is the cost of therapy, and do you take insurance?
Currently, my rate is $200 per 45-minute session, and $240 per 55-minute session.
At this time, I do not have any sliding scale spots available.
I am not currently on any insurance boards. I can provide superbills (itemized receipts) upon request for you to submit to your insurance for reimbursement, if you have out-of-network coverage.
How do I know if I have out-of-network coverage?
Here are some questions to ask your insurance company to see if you have out-of-network coverage, and what coverage looks like for your plan:
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Does my plan provide reimbursement for out-of-network, virtual (telehealth), mental health care with a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of New York?
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Do you cover CPT codes such as 90834 or 90837 (45 or 60 minute sessions)?
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If so, is there a separate deductible?
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What percentage of out-of-network costs does my plan cover?
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Do I need pre-authorization for out-of-network services?
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Is there a limit to the number of sessions that will be reimbursed per year?
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How do I submit for out-of-network reimbursement?
Why don't you take insurance?
Insurance companies are often unethical in how they pay clinicians, and will sometimes reject claims, causing clinicians to eat the costs. They can also be difficult to work with on the client side and can put arbitrary caps on services. Insurances also demand a diagnosis, and my therapeutic approach is non-diagnostic.
I have put a lot of thought into my fee. It is important to me that I am economically accessible, and I also need to balance value for my work and time. My fees are commensurate with my experience and continued training.
How long will we work together?
It depends! I recommend meeting consistently, once a week or every other week, for at least six months. Sometimes I work with people for a few months, as they are navigating a particularly challenging phase in their life. Often, I will see people for several years. My work is process-oriented, which means that our relationship can provide a stable foundation for growth and transformation over time. The amount of time we work together will depend on your resources, time, schedule, state of residence (I am only licensed to work with people that live in New York State), etc. I do frequent check-ins to make sure that the work we're doing is serving you, and if there are areas that you want to focus on that I do not have training in, we can discuss options for moving forward.
I am currently in a state of acute crisis, will you be able to support me through that?
Unfortunately, no. I am the sole owner and employee of this practice, which means that I can rarely (if ever) offer emergency sessions, and I do not have the resources to hire on-call staff.
If you need immediate support, or you're seeking longer-term crisis support, I recommend this resource.
Do you offer in-person therapy?
I am only meeting virtually at this time.
Do you work with kids, couples, and/or families?
No. At this time, I only work with adults, individually.
How do we get started?
If what I've written on my website resonates with you, please schedule a free 15-minute consultation here! This consultation is a great way for us to get a sense of whether we'll work well together, and for you to ask any questions that aren't answered here.