+ What is your approach?

Our approach to therapy is highly collaborative and interactive. A personal trainer at the gym will tell you that the most effective place to start your journey to physical health is by focusing on your core muscles. Since the core supports all other muscles in your body, building your core is essential to overall health and wellbeing.

The body and the mind are extremely similar. Our goal is to give you the tools needed to strengthen your core “self”, so that everything else in your mind (and actually your body too - see somatic experiencing psychotherapy for more on that) can can get stronger and feel more supported.

When your core “self” is strong and healthy, it impacts how you interact with your thoughts, your loved ones, interpersonal relationships, work dynamics and your life goals. We are here to help coach you to a place of greater flexibility in your daily interactions and to train you how to access your overall sense of well-being.

+ What can I expect when working with you?

There are a few steps that we take together to get to a place of health and wellbeing:

PHONE CONSULTATION

To make sure that this is the right fit, we ask all new clients to book a consultation to do a basic intake assesment. Once we have determined our practice might be the right fit, the first session is booked and we send you a link to the online client portal.

ONLINE CLIENT PORTAL

Before our first session, we will send you a link to register for your online client portal, where you will be able to review and sign all the documents necessary to move forward. These documents include; Intake Assessment Form, Services Agreement Form, Credit Card Authorization Form as well as Release of Information Form (when necessary).

FIRST SESSION

At the first session you will be asked about your primary reasons for coming, your hopes, your worries, and any important information we may need to know to best get to know you. Of course, you do not need to share anything you don't feel comfortable sharing, and it is up to you how much and what you share when we meet. It's important that you take your time getting to know your therapist too, and that you feel comfortable with the pace that we explore your inner world together. You might not feel like you have gained many specific tools during our first session, but the connection that we build together will be uniquely valuable to any future success in our ongoing work together.

SECOND SESSION AND BEYOND

At the second session and moving forward, we will begin to identify goals and specific areas you'd like to address, creating a framework for your healing and growth. Once we have set goals, we will begin to fill your proverbial toolbox will all kinds of tools that will help you access the most empowered and ideal version of your “self”. It doesn’t happen overnight, but the more tools we can help you acquire, the more equipped you will feel when you are faced with life’s inevitable ups, downs, bumps and challenges.

+ What happens during a typical session?

Each 45 minute session is time that belongs solely to you, in a safe space, within a secure environment.

During your session time, we settle in and help slow things down, from the fast-paced world that we tend to operate in. We look at what tools have been effective in your life, and what “broken tools” have been getting in your way of living the life you truly desire.

In order to create shifts to the “stuck points”, I encourage curiosity, and help you explore the underpinnings of the thoughts, behaviors and patterns you tend to engage in.

We use a warm, inviting style, working collaboratively with you on your healing process. Since we are in this process of promoting change, we gently challenge you, when needed, with direct focused insights, to help you move through old blockages, and into more clarity.

We believe that it is through relationships that patterns get established; and those exact patterns impact how you show up; for your “self”, for others, for opportunities, and in the way you engage with the world.

Therapy is commonly compared to a laboratory, where you get to practice new ways of being, in a safe space, that can then be utilized with confidence, for effective implementation in the outside world. Click here to read more about the types of therapies we use.

+ How often should I book my sessions for it to be effective?

We generally will only schedule clients who come on a weekly basis. Not all therapists have the same policy, but we truly believe that psychotherapy healing happens within the consistency of the caring, trusting relationship you develop with your therapist. Both scientific research and clinical experience has shown that it takes this type of consistency to achieve the most effective growth goals. Meeting on a weekly basis builds a foundation that will allow us to deepen the therapy work; holding the frame to help you create the change you seek.

+ Is there something wrong with me if I need therapy?

Absolutely not! Well, not more than anyone else in the world :) Some of the most successful people I know go to therapy - and are not only very proud of it, but largely attribute their success to the fact that they got help when they needed it.

We have utmost respect for those who make the decision to get help, as it is a sign of tremendous courage and strength. Choosing to reach out for support from a mental health professional when you are facing a challenge is very wise and shows you are willing to do whatever it takes to be successful in life. It is an act of self-care.

Just as you reach out to a lawyer if you need legal consult, or a dentist when your teeth need to be checked, a doctor if you are having physical concerns, mental health support is no different. It is not a sign of weakness at all.

Getting the help you need by addressing the challenges that stand in your way of achieving success so you can live your best life takes maturity and responsibility.

+ I want to make real changes in my life and don’t think venting is useful. Why would therapy help?

It's a common misconception that the focus of therapy is simply talking and venting about the past or your current situation. While talking is definitely helpful, the way we approach therapy is methodical and all about making strategic plans for change.

Together, we create a space to talk about feelings regarding past, present and future, while staying engaged and connected to the here-and-now goals; taking actionable steps to create a better life for yourself.

We use the information that comes up in-session to dive deeper; utilizing creative interventions, therapy methods and exercises to make this therapy experience one that provides healing beyond your time on the couch.

+ Therapy is expensive. How do I know if it's worth it?

Therapy is definitely a financial investment. It's a big commitment to your personal journey of self-development, self-discovery and transformation.

When you commit to this type of work, you can experience profound changes in your relationships, work-life, health, as well as the way you manage your finances.

Many people we work with have already invested significant amounts of time, energy and money in areas of education, home life, career goals and physical health. When they reach out to us, they are looking to make more of a “next level” investment opportunity, with the best ROI imaginable. There is no greater ROI than investing in emotional health.

Therapy as a self-care tool will be the best investment you can make, and will carry you through life well after you have “graduated.''

+ Why do people choose to work with your practice as opposed to other types of therapists?

Most of our clients reach out and begin working with our specialized practice because they are seeking something more in their lives.

Many of them have been on a search for the “best trauma specialist in Long Island or New York”, or the “top therapist treating anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns”.

While our skilled therapists do fit that criteria, we've heard that our clients appreciate the unique blend of ease and playfulness that we bring to the therapy work, blended with our commitment to offering stellar clincial treatment.

And to get more personal, check out our info on each of our clinicians on our "meet the team" page!

Since we cannot separate the person from the work, we bring authenticity and heart to the work. Yalom, a famous leader in psychology, once quoted " You can only take your clients as far as you've traveled". We too, are humble travelers of life, and walk a pathway of transformation and creation.

Our greatest joy is in helping you achieve that as well. We believe you can.

+ What are your rates?

Cirri Shafran: $285/session

Miriam Feder Bennaroch: $285/session

Devorah Schulhof: $285/session

Aliza Eidlisz: $200/session

Esther Goldstein: $500/session

**Our sessions are 45 minutes each. ** In specific circumstances we may schedule longer sessions for more intensive work, and the fee can be prorated if needed, based on our agreed fee-schedule.

+ Do you accept insurance?

We are not in a network with any insurance companies.

We are happy to provide you with a form that you can send to your insurance company for possible reimbursement - which means you are responsible for the fee at the time of our appointment and, depending on your insurance plan, a certain percentage of that may be paid back to you by your insurance company.

If you'd like to find out if you have “Out of Network Benefits”, call your insurance provider and ask them. Ask the following questions.

1} Do I have out of network mental health benefits? 2} If yes, what percentage of the cost do you reimburse? 3} Do I have a deductible I need to pay before I get reimbursed? If yes, what is the deductible amount?**

What are the typical CPT (billing) codes you use? Intake Session: 90791

Individual Therapy: 90834

Group Therapy: 90853

Parent Sessions: 90846

Virtual Services: Add “-95” to any of the codes above to indicate that it is via telehealth

+ Why don't you accept insurance?

A) We want you to be able to decide how long and what kind of therapy you receive. When using insurance for counseling, your insurance often decides what kind of therapy you can get and how long treatment should take.

B) Privacy for you and your records. When you choose to use your insurance for therapy, your mental health diagnosis is required and that information is then added to your medical records. Sometimes, thse records may impact your future applications for life insurance, medical insurance and in some instances, future employment possibilites.

C) At Integrative Psychotherapy we want you to have autonomy and choice to what treaments you receive, how long of treatment you are in and to decide if you wan t your diagnosis to be placed on your records or not. By being an out of network provider, we are able to ensure that you get to have flexibility in your treatment, autonomy and utmost levels of privacy and protection over your medical records.

+ What are your hours?

Our hours vary. Please call and leave a message, or email to inquire about availability. You can generally expect to receive a call back within 48 hours.