FAQs

Are you accepting new clients?

Yes we are. Please email, call or CLICK HERE to find out availability. 

Where are you licensed?

We have therapists licensed to practice psychotherapy in New York and *Florida. *This allows us to provide Telehealth services to those located in Florida, in addition to New York.

How soon can I get an appointment?

We can usually schedule you a new initial intake within 7 days. We require documents to be filled out prior to your appointment and you will be asked to fill out a screening form to help us identify if we are able to give you the appropriate level of care. Once all documents and forms are completed you will be ready to schedule an appointment. Please CONTACT US for more information.

Can I meet my therapist before I commit to an appointment?

Yes, we offer a free 20 minute consultation prior to your first appointment upon request. Consultations are conducted over Zoom or a phone call.

Do You Take Insurance?

Chamin Ajjan, MS, LCSW, A-CBT, Mollie Aklepi, LMSW, Victoria Licandro, LMSW, Emily Martinez, LMSW, Kelly Puckett, LMSW,  Seema Goel, LMSW and Jasmine Rivera-Hackely, PLMSW are In-Network with Aetna.   We keep a portion of our case load open to insured clients as a way to provide service to all. The other portion is open to private pay clients and those with out of network benefits. All other clinicians work with clients who use their out-of-network benefits or choose to pay privately for various reasons. It is your responsibility to know your insurance coverage. Please check your coverage carefully. You are responsible for paying for the uncovered portion. The best way to find out exactly what therapy will cost you is to call your insurance company directly and ask the following questions:

• Do I have mental health benefits?
• What is my deductible and has it been met?
• How many sessions per calendar year does my plan cover?
• Is my selected therapist an in-network provider with my plan?
• How much does my plan cover for an out-of-network provider?
• What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
• Is approval required from my primary care physician?
• Do I need prior authorization?

We can also help you with figuring out your insurance coverage. We will provide the necessary documents for you to submit to be possibly reimbursed partially or in full by your insurance company. Please contact us for any insurance or fee related questions.

How much is the out of pocket rate?

We understand that therapy can be expensive.  Our rates are transparently listed on the service pages.  If you are in need of a sliding scale rate we can discuss a fee.  Each therapist has different fees based on their interests, level of experience and more. Please CONTACT US to inquire about the rate of a particular therapist.

How does payment work?

Payment is due before the start of each session. We encourage you to make a PCI and HIPPA compliant payment prior to your session using our convenient and easy to use Client Portal.  If fee is not received, we will take payment after each session using the payment source you have provided us.  Your information is kept protected and you can use your Debit Card, Visa, MasterCard, DiscoverCard, American Express or HSA/FSA card.  

What is the age of your clients?

We see adults age 18 and older only.

What happens if I show up late, cancel my appointment or “no show” for an  appointment?

Consistent appointments are essential to successful treatment. Your appointment time is reserved specifically for you. It is important to arrive on time as the length of a typical session is 45 minutes and missed time will not be made up for at the end of the session. In the event that you will be late for your appointment or that you need to reschedule, please contact your therapist as soon as possible.  In the event that you need to cancel your appointment, at least a 48 hours notice is required or it will be considered a late cancellation and you will be charged 100% of the standard session fee.  Insurance companies generally do not reimburse for failed appointments. This makes you responsible for failed appointments, not the insurance company.

What is the difference between a psychotherapist and psychiatrist?

Both play important roles in treating mental health problems. However, their training and treatments are different. Both are qualified to diagnose and treat mental health issues. Psychiatrists are licensed to prescribe medication and typically treat their patients using medication and just treat symptoms. Psychotherapists address the cause of your presenting problems and the maladaptive behaviors that prevent progress. We explore you as a whole person and get to know how your experiences and family history impact how you think, feel and behave.  We do not always suggest medication but we do when it is indicated and will provide you with a referral to Psychiatrist or Nurse Practitioner, if needed. We take an integrative approach to wellness considering the mental, physical, cognitive, behavioral, social and spiritual parts that make you, YOU.

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective, heavily researched, evidence-based psychotherapy proven to be successful in the treatment of a wide range of problems (depression, anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem, panic, low motivation, relationship issues, social phobia, chronic pain, anger issues, personality disorders and sexual dysfunction).

The goal is to provide clients with the tools they need to be able to alleviate symptoms and make long term changes that will last long after therapy is over. Essentially, we want to teach you to be your own therapist. We focus on what is happening in the present moment, and at times, explore what has happened in the past to identify what is not working for you and what new skills must be obtained to live a healthier more fulfilling life.

CBT is all about how what you think (cognitive) and what you do (behavior) effects how you feel.  We cannot change our feelings directly. Try telling yourself not to be mad. It doesn’t work! But we can indirectly change the way we feel by changing our thinking and our actions. And when our feelings are out of the way, or at least be more objective about them, we are often able to make better choices for ourselves. Those choices will be influenced by the new strategies and skills you learn in therapy.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is all about being in the present moment.  By cultivating awareness of what is happening in the here and now you give yourself the chance to fully participate in your life instead of being reactive and going through it on automatic pilot. We do this by learning to objectively witness our thoughts and what is happening in our bodies and around us, non-judgmentally, as it is happening. Mindfulness pairs with CBT beautifully, giving you the opportunity to live to the fullest in the present moment.Ou