Question 1

How do I know if therapy is right for me?

Accepted Answer

Therapy can be beneficial for anyone navigating emotional challenges, relationship difficulties, anxiety, grief, identity questions, or simply a desire for deeper self-understanding. You don't need to be in crisis to begin. Many clients come to therapy out of curiosity — a sense that something in their inner world is worth exploring more carefully.

Question 2

What happens during the first session?

Accepted Answer

The first session is primarily a conversation — there's no pressure to share more than you're ready to. We'll explore what brings you in, your history, and what you're hoping to find or change. It's also an opportunity for you to get a feel for how I work and ask any questions you have. By the end, we'll begin to sketch an initial sense of direction together.

Question 3

How long does therapy typically last?

Accepted Answer

The length of therapy varies widely depending on your goals and the depth of what you're working through. Some clients find meaningful relief in a focused 12–20 week course. Others engage in longer-term work spanning years, particularly those exploring deeper relational or developmental patterns. We'll revisit this together as your work evolves.

Question 4

Do you offer a consultation before committing to therapy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I offer a complimentary 20-minute phone consultation for prospective clients. This gives us a chance to discuss what you're looking for, ask each other questions, and assess whether we might be a good fit before scheduling a full session.

Question 5

Do you offer in-person and virtual sessions?

Accepted Answer

I offer both in-person sessions at my office and secure video sessions via a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform. Many clients appreciate the flexibility of mixing modalities depending on the week. For telehealth, all you need is a private space, a stable internet connection, and a device with a camera.

Question 6

How often do we meet?

Accepted Answer

Most clients begin with weekly sessions, which allows for continuity and momentum in the work. Some clients move to bi-weekly sessions once they've established a foundation or are in a maintenance phase. The frequency is something we'll decide together based on your needs and circumstances.

Question 7

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

I ask for at least 48 hours notice for cancellations or rescheduling. Sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours notice — outside of genuine emergencies — are charged the full session fee. This policy helps protect the integrity of your appointment time and allows me to offer the slot to others who may need it.

Question 8

What platform do you use for telehealth sessions?

Accepted Answer

Sessions are conducted through the Doxy.me platform, which is HIPAA-compliant and fully encrypted. You'll receive a link to connect to the sessions. No app download is required — it runs directly in your browser.

Question 9

What is your session fee?

Accepted Answer

Individual therapy sessions are 50 minutes and priced at $195. Group programs and self-paced courses are priced separately — please visit the relevant program pages for current rates. I periodically review fees and provide reasonable notice of any changes.

Question 10

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

I am an out-of-network provider and do not directly bill insurance companies. However, many PPO plans offer out-of-network reimbursement for mental health services. I can provide a monthly Superbill (an itemized receipt) that you may submit to your insurer for potential reimbursement. I recommend calling the member services number on your insurance card to ask about your out-of-network mental health benefits.

Question 11

Do you offer a sliding scale?

Accepted Answer

I maintain a small number of sliding-scale spots for clients who demonstrate financial need. Availability is limited and subject to change. If cost is a barrier, I encourage you to bring this up during our initial consultation — I'll be transparent about what's possible and, if I'm unable to accommodate, can help refer you to other qualified providers.

Question 12

How do I pay for sessions?

Accepted Answer

Payment is due at the time of service. I accept all major credit and debit cards, HSA and FSA cards, as well as Zelle. Payment is processed securely through the client portal before or at the start of each session.

Question 13

What does "psychoanalytically informed" mean in practice?

Accepted Answer

Rather than sticking to a script or structured protocol, psychoanalytically informed therapy prioritises your free associations, recurring themes, and the relationship between us as a living source of data. We pay attention to what emerges — including what's said between the lines, what's avoided, and what patterns show up. This doesn't mean lying on a couch or years of silence — it means making room for depth.

Question 14

How does neuroscience factor into your work?

Accepted Answer

I draw on contemporary affective neuroscience — particularly the work of Allan Schore, Daniel Siegel, and Bessel van der Kolk — to understand how early relational experiences shape the nervous system and the regulatory patterns we carry into adulthood. This means attending to the body as well as the mind, working with the right brain as well as the verbal, analytical left.

Question 15

Do you assign homework between sessions?

Accepted Answer

Not in a structured sense. However, I may occasionally suggest a reflection exercise, a piece of reading, or an invitation to notice something in your daily life. These are never obligatory — they're offered when they feel organically useful to what we're working through together.

Question 16

Can I work with you even if I've had bad experiences in therapy before?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely — and those experiences are often some of the most important material to bring into the room. Previous therapy that felt unhelpful, misattuned, or even retraumatising is worth exploring together. Many clients who've felt "therapy didn't work for me" find that a different approach, or a different relational fit, changes everything.

Question 17

Is everything I say confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes — with a small number of legally mandated exceptions. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I am required by law to break confidentiality if there is a credible, imminent risk of harm to yourself or another identifiable person, or in cases of suspected child abuse or elder abuse. I will always tell you about these limits at the start of our work together and discuss them openly if they ever become relevant.

Question 18

Do you share session notes with anyone?

Accepted Answer

No. Your records are kept securely and are not shared with any third party without your written consent — including family members, employers, or other providers. The only exceptions are the legally mandated disclosures described above, or if you submit a Superbill to your insurance company, which may trigger a request for a diagnosis code.

Question 19

What are your professional credentials?

Accepted Answer

I hold a Master of Arts in Psychoanalysis and am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of CT. I engage in ongoing supervision and continuing education, with a particular focus on relational psychoanalysis, interpersonal neurobiology, and trauma-informed practice.

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