I Am New to Therapy, How Do I Navigate This Whole Therapy Thing?
Finding a therapist can be a pretty daunting task. I’m here to help. Here are some things to consider when looking around for your therapist.
Read your therapists' bio page, their about me’s, their websites, etc. What stands out to you? It can be as simple as them sharing their experience, their picture, who they work with, their approach, and the different therapies they offer.
Get Curious. Most therapists (me included) offer free consultations before you commit to working with them. This is the time to ask questions and get answers on anything you are curious about. It’s also a great time to get a feel for how you like the therapist to ensure that it is the right fit.
Many Therapists in the Sea. It is fine, and normal to meet with a therapist and feel like it’s not the right fit. Explore different options, ask for any recommendations, and you will eventually land on the right therapist for you.
Consider What You Can Commit To. There is no set guide to how often you need to see a therapist. It’s different for everyone. When you are first beginning therapy it's recommended to have sessions weekly or bi-weekly. Once you get your foot in the door, converse with your therapist about the schedule that works for you.
Check out my blog to learn more:
What to Ask Yourself Before Starting Therapy
What Do I Do If I have Anxiety About Getting Help For My Anxiety?
Nervous to Start Therapy? 9 Reasons you may feel Reluctant to Starting Therapy
What Are My Next Steps?
Book a free initial consultation with me so we can get to know each other. During the call, we will discuss why you are seeking services as well as figure out if this is the right fit for you. You will have the option to schedule a video call or phone call based on your comfort level.
Okay! I did the free initial consultation. Now what?
If you feel that it’s the right fit for you, you can book your first official session whenever you’re ready. I will send you a link with intake and consent forms to the email provided. This will be filled out before your first therapy session. All sessions are done via the provided patient portal. I will send you an email with all the necessary information, outlining the process.
Online Sessions Tips
Find a quiet comfortable place with adequate privacy
For additional privacy, the use of headphones is encouraged
Bring a notebook/sketchbook with any questions you’d like to ask or for any notes you may want to take during the session or spontaneous art-making that may occur. (No fancy materials required! Anything you have on hand at home that you enjoy is fantastic!)
A grounding object nearby, such as a pillow, a cup of tea, a warm blanket, crystals, a candle burning, etc. Anything that brings a sense of comfort.
A box of tissues, just in case!
Do you offer telehealth sessions online?
Yes! I offer telehealth therapy sessions through video conferencing and phone calls. Book a free consultation today to learn if Enodia Therapies is right for you.
If you’re curious about telehealth check out my blog posts to learn more:
Yes, You Can Have Real Effective Therapy in Your Pajamas. Here’s Why Telehealth Therapy Works
Where are you located?
Enodia Therapies provides mental health services in the New York State Area via telehealth.
I am physically located in Brooklyn, and I work within the boroughs including the Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island areas. however, due to the use and reach of telehealth, I am able to provide services to Upstate New York areas such as Utica, Watertown, Syracuse, Hornell, Rochester, Buffalo, Albany, Poughkeepsie, and Hauppauge regions.
Proud to be living, & working on the Ancestral Lands of the Munsee Lenape & Canarsie Nations.
Can you see me if I don’t live in New York State, or visit NYC occasionally?
I am currently licensed to practice in New York State only. State law states that therapy legally occurs in the state where the client is physically during the time of service. I only provide services to those who have permanent residence in New York State only.
Do you take insurance? Do you offer lower cost or sliding scale sessions?
I operate on a sliding scale based on income and maintain a limited number of spots for those who need to pay a lower fee. My clients who have access to higher income and can afford therapy at my standard rates makes it possible for me to provide more sliding scale availability. The image below of “The Green Bottle” created by Alexis J. Cunningfolk may give you clarity on what financial access and capacity you have. I welcome continuing and open conversations about finances as I know circumstances change. We will work together to discuss what works best for you during our initial consultation, and throughout our work together.
I do not accept insurance at this time. However, if you’re covered for counseling or psychotherapy services by your insurance plan and receive Out of Network (OON) benefits, I can provide you with a receipt of services with appropriate details. *I have also partnered with Reimbursify for you to easily submit your claims for out-of-network health insurance reimbursement.
Learn More About OON:
Which Payments Do You Accept?
I accept all major debit or credit cards, HSA or FSA cards. You will be billed at the end of each session. I will issue you an official receipt via email when I’ve received the payment for your records.
What Is Your Cancellation Policy?
If you need to cancel or reschedule a session, I ask that you provide a 24 hours notice. When a client cancels without giving enough notice, it prevents another client from being seen. For this reason, the full fee of the session is charged for missed appointments and late cancellations.
Missed payments will lead to the suspension of services until payment has been made. In addition, clients are responsible for coming to the session on time. If you are late, your appointment will still need to end on time so as not to cross into another client's time slot. If you are more than 15 minutes late, the session will be treated as a late cancellation and the full fee of the session will be charged. Please communicate with me so we can come to solutions that work best for you and allow us to continue our work together.
Confidentiality & Your Rights:
All interactions with our therapy services, including scheduling of and attendance of appointments, the content of your sessions, progress in counseling, and your records are kept completely confidential. You will be provided a written copy of the confidential disclosure agreement, called “Informed Consent” and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone.
What If I Need My Information?
Your healthcare records belong to you. You may request in writing any time to release specific information about your therapy services to persons, organizations, other health care professions that you designate via a HIPPA release form. I will provide the form upon request, or it will be filled out during the initial intake.
Exceptions to Confidentiality:
Under the law, I am required to keep all client information confidential. As a Mandated Reporter, the following are exceptions to which I may disclose information:
When there is an imminent danger to an identifiable third party or the self
When there is suspected abuse or neglect of a child
Court-ordered disclosure
Requested disclosure by a client
When a client files a complaint or claims professional liability via a lawsuit
What is the “Good Faith Estimate” or “No Surprises Act”?
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost.
Under the law, health care providers are required to provide clients who do not have insurance or who are not using insurance, an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.
You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
Still got Questions? Click Here to Submit Them.
Still got Questions? Click Here to Submit Them.
Glossary
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Telehealth is the use of digital information and communication technologies, such as computers and mobile devices, to access health care services remotely and manage your health care.
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This is when your health insurance pays you back a portion of the cost of therapy. This reimbursement is sent via check, and you would be required to pay your therapist their full fee upfront.
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Out-of-network means that a therapist does not have a contract with your health insurance plan provider. Some plans may have OON benefits, and some may not. Some OON benefits may even cover up to 80-90% of costs. Some health plans, such as an HMO plan, will not cover care from out-of-network providers at all, except in an emergency.
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A superbill is an itemized form, used by healthcare providers in the United States, which details services provided to a client. It is the main data source for creation of a healthcare claim, which will be submitted to payers for reimbursement
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Sliding-scale is services offered for reduced fees based on a person's income to make therapy accessible for people where standard rates are not affordable to them.
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HIPAA is an acronym that stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a US law designed to provide privacy standards to protect patients' medical records and other health information provided to health plans, doctors, therapists, hospitals and other health care providers.
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Confidentiality is the keeping of another person or entity's information private. Mental Health Professionals are required by law to keep information shared by a client or patient private, without disclosing the information, even to law enforcement, except under certain specific circumstances.
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Informed consent is a process of communication between you and your health care provider that often leads to agreement or permission for care, treatment, or services. Evey client has the right to get information and ask questions before entering treatment
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New York State has a mandatory state law that requires Mental Health Professionals to undergo mandated reporters training and act as mandated reporters.
A mandated reporter is a professional who is required by law to report reasonable suspicions of abuse, or harm to self, or another.