FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Counseling with therapists Daniel, Maria, Jahmani, Ivona, Angel, Yumi and Pamela.
What is therapy?
Therapy, also known as psychotherapy or counseling, is a form of treatment that aims to alleviate or cure mental health issues. It is a process by which individuals engage with a therapist to gain awareness, explore obstacles, and promote well-being. Each individual’s therapy is unique and tailored to their specific experiences, situations, goals, and needs. Through this process, individuals address their concerns and work with a therapist towards healing and recovery.
What can I expect from therapy?
Psychotherapy empowers you to confront your unique challenges by exploring how your thoughts, emotions, and actions influence your well-being. Working with a therapist gives you the tools to take charge of your life and develop healthy coping mechanisms for overcoming obstacles. Remember, you have the strength and ability to thrive, and psychotherapy can help you unlock your full potential.
Who do you work with?
Our team of highly specialized, experienced, and licensed therapists work with adults, children, adolescents, individuals, couples, families, and groups. We provide services for clients who are anxious, depressed, paranoid, institutional involvement, and substance abuse, among many other specialties. We worked on issues stemming from severe physical, emotional, and sexual trauma to difficulty adjusting to new workplace settings.
Meet our therapists and explore their specialties and expertise.
How do I know which therapist to choose?
This is an important question. We will do our best to match you with a therapist who we believe would be the best fit for you based on your current issues, preferences, schedule, and insurance plan. However, the final decision is entirely up to you and your therapist.
If you would be better matched with someone else after a session or two, that is perfectly fine. We understand that building a relationship with a therapist is a very personal process, and it is essential that you feel comfortable and at ease. Please feel free to share any feedback you have, and we will do our best to find a different therapist that is a better match for you.
What is the duration of an appointment?
Typically, clients meet with a therapist for 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the situation and each therapist’s preference. Initial intake sessions and family/couple sessions usually last 60 minutes. However, we also provide shorter 30-minute sessions. We are flexible to your needs.
What happens during the first session?
In your initial therapy session, you and your therapist get to know one another and see if you want to work with a therapist. During the first session, you’ll have the chance to share your story, what brought you in, and your personal goals for treatment. Your therapist will evaluate and guide you through this process by asking relevant questions to understand better your needs, which will help you set achievable treatment goals.
This is a safe and confidential space where you can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable. Your therapist is committed to providing a supportive and non-judgmental environment in which to work with you and feel at ease and secure during the therapy process.
Additionally, this is an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about the therapy approach and process, office policies, confidentiality, and anything else that you may be curious about. Your therapist is there to help you better understand the process and ensure that you feel comfortable and informed throughout your therapy journey.
How often will we meet?
To begin, we will often meet once a week. Depending on your needs and provider’s schedule, you can meet weekly, twice a month, or more frequently if necessary. Once we have worked through most of your concerns, we suggest meeting monthly and then discontinue/close services.
Can we meet virtually? Do you provide online counseling?
Yes. We find that the best therapy happens with face-to-face sessions. However, we are mindful of your flexibility and safety options, and thus, we offer telehealth/virtual sessions depending on the client’s situation and the therapist’s preference. Clients can conduct sessions by telephone or a secure telehealth platform to help meet their needs when traveling out of town, in inclement weather, at home with a sick child, etc.
Please note that telehealth/virtual sessions are available only to residents of the New York state.
Does what we talk about in session remain confidential?
Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and therapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but in session. What you discuss in the session will be kept from everyone as outlined in the consent form that all clients sign before working with Living Well NYC.
Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team, such as your physician, attorney, child school counselor, etc. However, we can only release this information by law when we obtain your written permission.
What are your rates for therapy?
Living Well NYC is committed to providing affordable, high-quality psychotherapy services. Our rates are among the lowest in the New York City area, and we accept major insurances.
Our rates are $90 – $200 for 45 and 60-minute sessions.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes. Majority of insurances are accepted and are listed here.
Is counseling covered under my insurance?
Behavioral health coverage varies depending on the type of health insurance plan you have. We advise you to contact your insurance provider first to find out if and how your insurance covers the therapy. Additionally, prior to your first appointment, we will do our best to check and verify your insurance plan eligibility and benefits as a courtesy to you. We will also submit claims to your insurance company on your behalf.
Please note your health insurance company will only pay for services that it determines to be “reasonable and necessary.” Every effort will be made by our office to have all services and procedures pre-authorized by your health insurance company. If your health insurance company determines that a particular service is not reasonable and necessary, or that a particular service is not covered under the plan, your insurer will deny payment for that service in which case you will be personally and fully responsible for payment. Moreover, if your health insurance company does make payment for services, you will be responsible for any co-payment, deductible, or coinsurance that applies.
Do you prescribe medication?
We do not prescribe medication. You will need to see a psychiatrist (MD) for medication. Many people seek individual therapy to avoid being on medication. Psychiatrists usually want their patients to attend therapy in conjunction with taking the medication. We do not give advice in selecting a psychiatrist.
What if you or someone you know is suicidal, experiencing an emergency or crisis?
If you or someone you know is suicidal, experiencing an emergency or crisis and needs immediate help, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. Living Well NYC does not offer emergency services.
What are the Living Well NYC hours?
All therapy is by appointment only. We are unable to accommodate walk-ins.
We accept major insurances, and offer weekend and evening sessions, depending on the therapist’s schedule availability.
If you are interested in therapy, please contact us to schedule an appointment.
Our office hours are
Monday – Friday: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday – Sunday: Closed
Where is the Living Well NYC located?
Living Well NYC in-office appointments are available in a quiet, convenient location in the Greenpoint neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York.
194 Nassau Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222 | Get Directions
Between Huboldt and Russell streets by the Msgr. McGolrick Park.
How to get to the Living Well NYC by public transportation?
Living Well NYC is a short distance away from convenient public transportation options including the G subway line on Nassau Ave and the B48 bus line at the Nassau Ave & Humboldt Street stop.
How do I gain access to the Client Portal?
After contacting our office, new intake clients will receive a welcome email to create a confidential profile in the Client Portal and complete intake online forms via the portal before the first appointment.
Please note that the portal invitation email link will expire after seven days. In such a case, please contact us to assist you with resending the welcome email with a new link to the Client Portal signup.
How do I access the Client Portal?
As an existing client, you can log in to the Client Portal here.
How do I access and start a telehealth/virtual session?
To attend a telehealth/virtual session, please log in to the Client Portal from a private location with a fast and secure Internet connection. Once logged in, choose your scheduled appointment and click the “Join Session” button to enter the virtual waiting room. Your therapist will connect with you at the scheduled time to start the session.
We encourage clients to contact their therapist directly about telehealth/virtual session connection issues.
How to make payments on the Client Portal?
When logging into your Client Portal account, you will see a Billing tab in the upper right of the top navigation. Your balance due, along with a Make a Payment link, will appear in the Needs Your Attention box on the home page.
On the Billing tab, you can choose to either pay the full amount due or make a partial payment by credit or debit card. As the client, you can make payments on the portal for your full balance or partial payments. Once you have entered your payment information, click the Submit Payment button to complete the transaction.
Can I pay for your services using Health Savings (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA)?
Yes. You can use your FSA or HSA card on the Client Portal to pay for your deductible, co-payment, co-insurance, or self-pay. Additionally, we accept debit and credit cards for your convenience.
