FAQ
Could we talk before I decide to start treatment?
Absolutely. I offer a no-charge 15-minute telephone consultation. We can talk through specific questions and have a starting idea of whether we are the appropriate option for your treatment. If you decide to move forward, we will schedule your first session.
Do we meet in person or online?
I am currently only meeting online. If your treatment plan involves controlled substances, we will have to meet in person on occasion. We would decide the frequency as we create our treatment plan.
Where is your office located?
This is my office address, and I am seeing persons online only unless in-person is specifically required.
18 E 41st StreetFloor 14New York, NY 10017-6244
What happens in the first session?
The initial consultation may take around an hour. I will collect a thorough medical and psychiatric history and address the issues that brought you in. At the end of the session, I will offer recommendations and produce a treatment plan. Sometimes, this may be a referral to another treatment setting. Medication prescriptions are sometimes, but not always, written during the first session.
How long are the sessions?
The initial session will take around an hour, while all subsequent therapy and psychopharmacology sessions are up to 45 minutes. Sessions may be shorter upon request, particularly if you already have a therapist and would like me to focus on medication management primarily.
How frequent are sessions?
For medication only, sessions occur every 1-3 months but are more frequent at the beginning of treatment; for instance, they can occur every two weeks for the first 1-2 months. For psychotherapy sessions, the frequency is generally weekly, twice weekly, or every two weeks.
What if I need to miss an appointment?
There is a 24-hour cancellation policy, and missed visits or late cancellations will be charged $200, with the exception of medical emergencies.
What age ranges do you work with?
I currently work with people ages 18-64.
Do you provide medication, therapy, or both?
Either one or both. I am trained in psychopharmacology and various therapy techniques, including psychodynamic therapy, family systems therapy, supportive therapy, meaning-centered psychotherapy, and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Research has shown that when therapy and medication are combined, the therapeutic effect can be synergistic and greater than what either one can do alone. Medication can provide immediate relief while we take time in therapy to explore underlying issues and achieve long-term gains.
What is your professional training and experience?
I trained in psychiatry at Duke University Hospital and in Psychosomatic Medicine/Psycho-Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. I have also been trained in psychotherapies of various modalities, as mentioned above.
What if I already have a therapist or want one separate from my psychiatrist?
That is totally ok! I will reach out and work with your therapist to build an effective treatment plan that involves you, your therapist, and me.
What else does a client need to know to make the most of working with you?
As long as you are intentional and determined to look within and change your life for the better, we are all set for the healing journey.
What is your fee?
Initial consultations take around 60 minutes and have a flat rate of $500. Follow-up consultations include therapy and, when necessary, medications. They last up to 45 minutes and have a rate of $375. If you already have a therapist and would rather me focus on managing your medications, we can have shorter appointments of 30 minutes with a flat rate of $250. The fees are always collected at the time of the session.
How is payment collected?
Payment occurs at the time of the session. I accept all credit, debit, HAS, and FSA cards. I do not accept personal checks or cash. I will provide you with a receipt and an invoice for each session. Controlled substances are not refilled without coming in for a session.
Do you take insurance?
I do not accept any insurance, but many patients collect a partial or full reimbursement if they have out-of-network coverage in their insurance. If you have this benefit, you can submit the session invoices to your insurance company, and I will provide you with tools to make this easier.
How do I find out whether I have out-of-network-benefits?
You can call your insurance company and ask the following questions:
- “Do I have out of network mental health benefits?”
- If yes, “Do I have a yearly deductible for out of network visits, and if so, how much is it? How much of my out of network deductible have I met for this year?”
- “What is my out-of-network co-insurance? Or, specifically, what percent of a $500/375/250-session fee do you reimburse for an outpatient mental health office visit for an M.D. level Psychiatrist?”
Why doesn’t Alta Psychiatry PLLC take Insurance?
By not relying on insurance for payment, I can provide a superior level of care to you in terms of the duration and frequency of our appointments, flexibility of scheduling, independence in shaping our treatment plan, and maximum privacy and confidentiality with your personal health-related information.
What brand of tissue do you use?
Since our sessions are online, I won’t be able to provide a tissue. I nevertheless want to let you know that being vulnerable is accepted and encouraged in our sessions, and I will be there for you even if you feel like crying. We will be in a safe space together.