What insurances do you accept?

• Blue Shield of Northeastern New York
• Capital District Physician’s Health Plan
• Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Martin’s Point
• Private Pay is available at a rate of $150 for an intake and $125 for each therapy session thereafter. Superbills are provided at the request of the client, which can then be submitted to the insurance company for partial reimbursement. All clients should follow-up directly with their insurance company to determine reimbursement benefits.

I’ve never been to counseling before.  What can I expect?

• Once we schedule an appointment, I will ask that you arrive 10 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment so that you can fill out some paperwork.  All appointments are 55-60 minutes in length. After all intake paperwork is completed, we will meet in my office where we will further discuss what has brought you to therapy.  If you’ve never been to therapy before, the first session may feel a little awkward.  The initial focus will be on collecting historical information and getting to know you.  If we decide we’re a good fit for one another, we will schedule additional sessions which will focus on your self-identified problems, reducing symptoms (i.e. depression, anxiety, etc), and achieving personal growth.  The length of therapy differs with each person which, together, we will evaluate throughout the therapeutic process. Ultimately, therapy is complete when you feel confident that you’ve developed the skills and tools to cope with the emotional challenges that brought you to therapy to begin with.    

How do I know if you are the right therapist for me?

• In order to get the full benefits of therapy, you have to put your mental health in the right persons’ hands.  There is no one size fits all approach to therapy, and the professional that works well for someone else, might not work well for you.  You will likely know after the couple of sessions if I am a good match for you.  You can expect that I will approach our conversations without bias, judgement, or condescension.  You will know that I am a good fit for you if you:
  • Feel you and I are connecting and building a good rapport. 
  • Feel supported, heard, and understood.
  • Find yourself opening up and talking about things that you don’t normally talk about.
  • Feel like you take the things you learn and discover in session with you and think about them over the week.
  • Feel like I am easy to talk to.

What happens if I run into you in public?

• In an effort to protect you, your privacy, and your confidentiality; I will not acknowledge you in public unless you acknowledge me first.  If I were to say “hi” to you in public, I might be unknowingly putting you in the uncomfortable position of explaining who I am and why you know me.  There is no shame in seeking therapy, but the decision to share your experience with others is yours and yours alone.  You are free to make the choice to initiate contact and regardless or your decision, there is no judgement either way.   

What happens if I can’t make my appointment?

• Please call or email Emily as soon as you know you need to cancel your appointment. Cancelling an appointment with insufficient notice prevents Emily from scheduling that time slot for others clients.  There is a 24-hour, 1 business day, cancellation policy in effect once you become a client.  It is important to keep all scheduled appointments to ensure continuity of care and to demonstrate commitment to the therapeutic process.  Appointments that are canceled or rescheduled with more than 24 hours advance notice will not incur a fee; however, if 24-hour notice is not given, or you do not show up to your scheduled appointment, a $60 cancellation fee will be applied to your account. Your insurance does not cover this charge.  Cancellations for a Monday appointment should be made no later than Friday.