1. How do you go about selecting the “right” therapist?
When selecting a therapist you want that person to be knowledgeable and experienced. Also, you want to feel safe and to a certain degree, comfortable with that person.
The “right” therapist will be able to make you feel safe and comfortable while at the same time supporting and challenging you to move in a healthy direction.
2. How quick/how many sessions will I need?
Often times someone will come to a therapist looking for a “quick” fix. By the therapist providing a quick fix, the client never really gets to understand the underlying issue. As such, a person will have a tendency to go in and out of therapy for a long time.
The role of the therapist is to actively guide the client in learning how to recognize, understand and overcome certain issues.
Goals and expectations should be discussed early on and re-evaluated throughout treatment.
3. How much do you charge?
Fees are set on an individual basis depending on a variety of different factors. These include type of service, frequency of visits, financial resources, etc.
4. Why don’t you accept any insurance plans?
There are three main reasons why I do not accept insurance plans:
a) Lack of confidentiality
Many people come to therapy because the information disclosed to the therapist is personal. If you access therapy through your plan, it makes it necessary for your therapist to disclose, in writing, certain confidential information. This information is then used to determine benefits (type and length of treatment) which the insurance company then allocates at their own discretion.
b) Challenges in getting treatment authorized
Because insurance companies want to keep costs down, getting (additional) therapy sessions authorized can at times become cumbersome and time consuming. The time spent working on getting additional sessions authorized, completing paperwork and working on getting reimbursed for services is all done free of charge by the therapist.
c) Misdiagnosing and/or over diagnosing
Some insurance plans will only cover treatment if it meets certain criteria. If that person does not meet that specific criteria, but wants to start or continue in treatment, the therapist may be required to make up or exaggerate a diagnosis. This situation puts both the therapist and client in a negative situation.
5. What is EMDR?
EMDR or Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing is a form of treatment that is used to help individuals who have suffered from various types of trauma. The results of the trauma may be that the individual will replay an incident over and over in their mind. These memories and associated symptoms often lead to negative beliefs one may hold about themselves. For example, “I’m not good enough”, “I didn’t do enough”, “It was my fault”. This can then lead to a myriad of symptoms ranging from sleep issues to engaging in repetitive and self-destructive behaviors.
6. Do you have on-line therapy?
Not at this time. However, e-mail may be used for scheduling. The issue of the Internet and e-mail will be discussed and agreed upon in the first few sessions.
7. What constitutes an Organization?
An organization is any business that has employees. An organization can be a school, religious setting, for-profit business, etc. If you have a question whether your organization is appropriate for an analysis, please contact Dr. Levey at 516-729-6323.
8. What does an Organizational Consultation “look like”?
An Organization consultation begins with a conversation about what your and/or your organizations needs are. From there, I will develop a comprehensive needs assessment report as well as possible interventions. Some interventions can include, group meetings with employees, team training’s, conflict resolutions between individuals and/or departments, etc.