Frequently Asked Questions
INSURANCE
I am currently accepting Cigna & United HealthCare Insurance.
However, If you are out of network and have a PPO plan that enables you to select an ‘out-of-network provider’ it may be possible that you be partially or fully reimbursed for your sessions depending upon the terms of your policy. For this reason and to avoid unwanted billing surprises, it is best to check with your health insurance company or your employer’s human resources department before you get any out-of-network health care services.
I will provide you with the appropriate paperwork to submit to your insurance provider to facilitate the process. In instances where out-of-network benefits are covered, you will be responsible for payment at each session and your insurance will reimburse your expenses. Dr. K accepts cash, credit or check as reimbursement.
How to check your out-of-network coverage and possible out-of-network benefits:
Questions to ask:
- Are there out-of-network benefits for this policy?
- Do I have a mental or behavioral health policy with out-of-network benefits?
- What are the requirements to use out-of-network benefits?
- Is prior authorization required?
- Is a referral required from my primary care physician?
- Do I have an out-of-network deductible?
- If yes:
- What is my out-of-network deductible?
- How much of my out-of-network deductible has been met?
- What is the start date of the calendar year my out-of-network policy is based on? Be sure to take down the name of the representative, a reference number for the call and the date of your inquiry
- If yes:
GETTING STARTED
How do I schedule an appointment?
Scheduling an appointment is easy! You have the option of either calling 914-373-9420 and I will get back to you within 24 hours to confirm or you can schedule an appointment via e-mail.
What will we talk about during the free introductory phone call?
During our free introductory phone call, you can tell me a bit about the current issues, symptoms, and struggles that caused you to call me. I also encourage that you ask any logistical questions you might have about us working together. The truth is, seeing a therapist for the first time can be anxiety provoking. If I can answer any questions that could help alleviate that anxiety, I’m happy to help. If it’s not your first time in therapy, you can discuss what helped and didn’t help while working with previous therapists. This can give me a better understanding of whether or not my style of therapy would be a good fit for you. If you should decide that you would like to work together after our call, we can schedule an appointment for your first session.
Here are a few tips to see if a therapist is a good fit for you.
Ask yourself the following after our introductory phone call:
- Did I feel heard and respected?
- How was the emotional connection?
- Does this meet my expectations of therapy?
- Can I envision myself continuing in therapy with this therapist?
What can I expect during our work together?
During our first session, which typically lasts 60-90 minutes, I will conduct an intake which consists of a series of questions that helps me to understand your emotional and social history, current symptoms and concerns. This is a great way for me to learn about you as a person and establish what it is that you would like to achieve while working together. The following sessions will last 45-50 minutes, you and I will collaborate to create an individualized treatment plan which entails short term, objective and measurable goals. Thereafter, we will learn new coping skills, assess their effectiveness and goodness of fit and create new goals if need be. I do not believe that clients should have to see a therapist for the rest of their lives. Unlike any other profession, the ultimate goal of a mental health practitioner should be to have their clients foster a sense of autonomy and competence while working together so that you no longer need services and can lead a fulfilling life.
Can I text you?
You may receive a reminder text from my automated scheduling system during the week however due to the sacred, confidential and emergent nature of therapy, I do not engage in texting with clients under any circumstance. In the case of an emergency, your client contract provides instructions as well as my confidential voicemail as to how to go about managing a crisis in the event you are unable to reach me.
CONFIDENTIALITY
- Can you disclose anything we’ve talked about in therapy?
Everything that is disclosed during session, stays in session. However, there are several instances in which I am ethically and legally obligated to breach confidentiality.
- A client presents a serious and imminent danger to others.
In such an instance, I am obligated by law to inform the appropriate authorities and notify the intended victim.
- A client presents a serious and imminent danger to themselves.
I will do everything in my power to ensure that every precaution is taken to maintain a client’s physical safety. However, if a client does not cooperate, I am obligated by law to take further measures without their permission to ensure their safety.
- A client informs me that someone is harming them.
I am a New York State mandated reporter, as such I am mandated by New York State law to report child abuse, neglect and maltreatment.
- When clients disclose that they have a disease commonly known to be communicable and/or life threatening and a third party is in serious risk of contracting that disease.
In specific circumstances, I may be justified in disclosing information to identifiable third parties if the parties are known to be at serious and foreseeable risk of contracting the disease.
- I am ordered by the court to release confidential or privileged information.
However, I will seek to obtain written informed consent from the client to take steps to prohibit the disclosure or have it limited as narrowly as possible to offset potential harm to our relationship.
Confidentiality and your child or adolescent
Ethically, mental health practitioners are advised to inform parents or guardians about the nature of counseling, the importance of confidentiality and to divulge only what is necessary. Above all, mental health practitioners must do what is in the best interest of the client while working to establish a collaborative relationship amongst all parties. When young people are assured that providers will respect their right to confidentiality, they are more likely to seek mental health services and benefit from them.