Why should I seek professional mental health counseling?Are you licensed to provide mental health counseling?Are you credentialed to provide alcoholism and substance abuse counseling?Who are your clients?How long does therapy take?What about privacy / confidentiality concerns?What about scheduled appointments?What are your fees for counseling, and what forms of payment do you accept?Do you offer any initial free phone consultations?Will you accept my insurance?Where your office and what are your office hours?Why should I seek professional mental health counseling?
You can seek counseling from a therapist for any reason you choose. People use therapy for personal growth, for help with stressful life situations and for more chronic or serious problems. Please feel free to consult with your potential therapist to make sure you are comfortable with your choice of provider.
Are you licensed to provide mental health counseling?
I am licensed for the independent practice of mental health counseling by the University of the State of New York, Education Department as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) #002314.
Are you credentialed to provide alcoholism and substance abuse counseling?
I am also an approved provider of alcoholism evaluation and treatment services through the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.
Who are your clients?
Potential clients come to therapy to improve their lives in many different areas. Perhaps you have a special issue which needs immediate attention. My clients are intelligent, kind and loving people who want more out of life. You may have certain life transition issues, relationship problems, anger management or addiction problems. I work with adolescents and adults who need self-directed assistance in these important areas.
How long does therapy take?
That's an important question that often comes up for discussion during the course of therapy. Clients want to know how long will it take for a particular issue or ongoing problem to be resolved. That question can not be answered with any degree of certainty, at least during the first few sessions.
Problem resolutions depend on your perception of the issues, your motivation to work through problems, and the kind of relationship you have with the therapist. The length of therapy and the frequency of appointments are determined by you and your therapist.
The process of therapy can range from one or two sessions to several months or longer depending on the nature of the issues needing resolving. The focus of therapy is on present problems. You often know during the course of therapy when your issues are resolved or not. I provide you with the necessary support to help facilitate progress as quickly as possible.
What about privacy / confidentiality concerns?
Clients often ask questions about how their rights as consumers of mental health services will be protected by the therapist and by applicable State and Federal laws. There is legal privilege in the State of New York protecting the confidentiality of the private information you share with me.
As a New York State licensed and credentialed professional, I strive to maintain the strictest ethical standards of confidentiality. Your privacy is important and is guarded with all legal limits. If you have questions about the limits of confidentiality, I will be glad to respond either by phone or in person.
What about scheduled appointments?
Individual appointments are usually scheduled on a weekly basis for treatment consistency, continuity and effectiveness.
What are your fees for counseling and what forms of payment do you accept?
The fee for a 45 minute session is $70 and is due at the beginning of each session. The fee is subject to an increase each year, and you will be notified of the pending increase at least one month in advance. Payments in cash, check or credit card are accepted. Please make checks payable to Ttolesconsulting. Payments by credit card through the PayPal button on the website must be purchased at least 24 hours in advance of your appointment. If you can not keep your scheduled appointment, please be sure to contact me at least 24 hours in advance. If no 24 hour notice is given, you will be charged in full for the missed session.
Do you offer any initial free phone consultations?
I will be glad to offer a complimentary initial telephone consultation in order to assess whether my counseling services are compatible with your needs and expectations. Please leave your name and telephone number with my office and I will return your call.
Will you accept my insurance?
Many people decide to pay for therapy from their own financial resources. Some insurance policies have high premiums, deductibles, and/or co-payments, and many managed care policies allow you only a limited number of sessions. Therefore, it is important to weigh long-term costs, concerns about confidentiality and considerations of continued access to services in deciding whether self-payment is viable.
At the present time I contract with First Health Network and Coventry Health Care National Network. I continue to outreach to insurance companies so that continued treatment is affordable. Upon your request I will provide an itemized receipt (with a psychiatric diagnosis) which you can submit to your insurance company for third party reimbursement. Your insurance company may or may not approve your submissions for third party reimbursement.
Please be sure to contact your insurance company for their rules and regulations regarding reimbursement policies. For those of you who choose not to submit a bill to your insurance company, I can provide you with a separate receipt without a diagnosis.
Where is your office and what are your office hours?
My office is conveniently located in Huntington, New York. My independent practice is limited to those clients who can reach my office. Office hours are arranged at mutual convenience.