Hi, I’m Ruth. Here are the answers to the questions I hear most often.
GETTING STARTED & IS THIS FOR YOU?
Q: Is therapy right for me?
A: If you're asking this question, you probably already know the answer is yes. Therapy isn't only for crisis. It's for capable people who understand themselves and still feel stuck, people who've tried everything else and want something different, people who are done managing. If something has been weighing on you, whether that's a specific memory, a pattern you keep repeating, or just a background anxiety you're tired of carrying… therapy can help. The fact that you're here, reading this, says enough.
Q: I'm functioning fine on the outside. Does that mean I don't need help?
A: High functioning and fine on the inside are two very different things. Most of my clients look exactly like you describe successful, capable, together. What they come in carrying is a different story: the exhaustion of holding it together, the edges of anxiety that don't quite quiet down, old patterns that show up in every relationship, a sense that something's off even though everything looks right. Functioning doesn't mean you're okay. Therapy is for people who want to feel as good as they look.
Q: Will this actually change anything, or am I just going to talk about my problems?
A: Good question, and I get asked this because you've probably done therapy before that felt like venting. Talking alone doesn't move trauma or old patterns. That's why my work combines evidence based approaches, EMDR, attachment work, CBT with real accountability for progress. You'll leave sessions with concrete shifts, not just insights. We track what's actually changing: your sleep, your reactivity, how safe you feel in relationships, that background feeling of threat. If it's not working, we adjust.
Q: How much does therapy cost, and will my insurance help?
A: Sessions are $225–$250, and here's the part most people don't realize: your insurance likely gives money back. Most PPO plans reimburse 50–80% of the session fee after your deductible through out-of-network benefits, which can bring your out-of-pocket cost down to roughly $45–$110 per session. I've partnered with Mentaya to verify your benefits in seconds and submit claims for you.
Q: Do you see clients in person?
A: My practice is fully telehealth, serving adults in New York, Connecticut, and Florida through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. Clients consistently tell me that meeting from their own home, with no commute and no waiting room, makes it easier to open up and easier to stay consistent.
Q: Do you offer therapy in Spanish?
A: Sessions are conducted in English, and I fully understand and read Spanish. If you're bilingual, that means you never have to translate yourself: when a memory, a phrase, or a feeling only comes out right in Spanish, say it exactly as it comes. You'll be completely understood.
Fees & Insurance
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A: Sessions range from $225 to $250, depending on the clinical modality:
Standard therapy session (50 minutes) — $225
Specialized modality session, such as EMDR (50 minutes) — $250
Extended EMDR intensive (90 minutes) — $250
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A: My practice primarily operates on a private-pay basis. That's a deliberate choice: it keeps your care private, free of diagnosis requirements, and guided entirely by your goals rather than an insurer's session limits. I remain in-network with a limited number of plans; if in-network care matters to you, ask about current availability during your free consultation. And even for private-pay clients, insurance often still helps. Read on.
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A: If you have a PPO plan, you likely have out-of-network benefits that reimburse 50-80% of the session fee after your deductible. I've partnered with Mentaya to verify your benefits in seconds and submit claims on your behalf, with no paperwork on your end.
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A: Yes. Therapy is a qualified medical expense, so you can pay with pre-tax dollars.
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Always. As required by the federal No Surprises Act, you'll receive a Good Faith Estimate of expected costs before we begin. No surprise bills, ever.ription
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A: I hold your appointment time exclusively for you, so I ask for at least 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule. Sessions canceled with less notice, and missed appointments, are charged the full session fee. Life happens; genuine emergencies are always handled with understanding. Please note that missed-session fees cannot be submitted to insurance or included on superbills.
ABOUT THERAPY SESSIONS
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A: Most clients begin with weekly sessions, which builds the momentum that meaningful change requires. As you progress, we may shift to biweekly sessions or a maintenance schedule. Frequency is always a collaborative decision based on your goals.
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A: It depends on your goals. Some clients come to work through a specific issue and finish in a few months; others value longer-term work. EMDR in particular often produces meaningful relief from targeted memories in fewer sessions than talk therapy alone. We'll revisit your progress regularly so therapy never runs on autopilot.
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A: The first session is about understanding your story: what brings you in, what you've already tried, and what you want to be different. There's no pressure to share anything before you're ready. We'll set initial goals together and map out how we'll work.
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A: Yes. Everything you share is protected by confidentiality laws and HIPAA, with only the narrow, legally required exceptions (such as imminent risk of harm), which I'll explain fully before we begin. For private-pay clients, there's an added layer of privacy: no diagnosis or treatment information is shared with an insurance company unless you choose to seek reimbursement.
About EMDR
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A: EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an extensively researched therapy that helps your brain reprocess distressing memories so they lose their emotional charge. Unlike talk therapy, it doesn't require you to describe painful experiences in detail. You can read a full explanation on the EMDR page.
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A: Yes. I provide EMDR entirely online using screen-based bilateral eye-movement tracking. One requirement: EMDR sessions must be done on a laptop or desktop computer. A phone or tablet screen is too small for effective eye-movement tracking.
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A: A standard EMDR session is 50 minutes. The extended intensive is 90 minutes at the same $250 rate, nearly double the time, which lets us stay in the processing work without stopping just as momentum builds. Many clients find intensives help them progress in fewer total appointments.
Clinical Hypnosis (Coming Late Fall 2026)
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A: An evidence-informed approach that uses focused attention and guided imagery to change how pain is experienced: reducing intensity, easing the anxiety and sleep problems that amplify pain, and teaching you self-hypnosis skills for flare-ups. It complements your medical care; it never replaces it.
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A: The service launches in late fall 2026. Join the waitlist now and you'll be offered the first available appointments.
Still Have Questions?
The consultation exists for exactly this reason. Bring every question, whether it's about fees, fit, EMDR, or anything else, and get real answers before you commit to anything.