Therapy FAQs: Online Therapist in New York, Connecticut & Florida
Hi, I'm Ruth Alcantara-Zboinski, LCSW-QS. Here are clear answers to the questions I hear most often about getting started, fees and insurance, what sessions are like, and EMDR.
Jump to: Getting Started · Fees & Insurance · Therapy Sessions · EMDR
Getting Started
Is therapy right for me?
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, and people who are done managing. If something has been weighing on you, whether that's a specific memory, a pattern you keep repeating, or a background anxiety you're tired of carrying, therapy can help.
I'm functioning fine on the outside. Does that mean I don't need help?
High functioning and fine on the inside are two very different things. Most of my clients look exactly like that: successful, capable, together. What they come in carrying is a different story: the exhaustion of holding it together, anxiety that never quite quiets down, old patterns that show up in every relationship, and 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.
Will this actually change anything, or will I just talk about my problems?
It's a fair question, especially if you've done therapy before that felt like venting. Talking alone doesn't move trauma or old patterns. That's why I combine evidence-based approaches, including EMDR, attachment-focused work, and CBT, with real accountability for progress. We track what's actually changing: your sleep, your reactivity, how safe you feel in relationships, and that background feeling of threat. If something isn't working, we adjust.
Do you see clients in person?
My practice is fully online, serving adults in New York, Connecticut, and Florida through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. Clients often tell me that meeting from home, with no commute and no waiting room, makes it easier to open up and easier to stay consistent.
Do you offer therapy in Spanish?
Sessions are conducted in English, and I fully understand and read Spanish. If you're bilingual, you never have to translate yourself: when a memory, a phrase, or a feeling comes out in Spanish, say it exactly as it comes. You'll be completely understood.
Fees & Insurance
How much do sessions cost?
A 50-minute session is $205, including EMDR. A 90-minute EMDR intensive is $250. Your first 15-minute consultation is free. See the full breakdown on my Fees page.
Do you accept insurance?
My practice is primarily private pay. That's a deliberate choice: it keeps your care private, free of diagnosis requirements, and guided by your goals rather than an insurer's session limits. I'm in network with a limited number of plans, so if in-network care matters to you, ask during your free consultation. Even if you pay privately, your out-of-network benefits may still help, as explained below.
How does out-of-network reimbursement work?
If your plan includes out-of-network benefits, your insurer may reimburse part of each session after your deductible. I work with Thrizer, which lets you pay only your estimated share at the time of each session and submits the claims for you. To see your estimated cost, use my free Thrizer eligibility check.
Can I use my HSA or FSA?
Yes. Therapy is a qualified medical expense, so you can pay with pre-tax dollars.
Will I know my costs upfront?
Always. As required by the federal No Surprises Act, you'll receive a Good Faith Estimate of expected costs before we begin.
What is your cancellation policy?
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. Genuine emergencies are always handled with understanding. Missed-session fees can't be submitted to insurance or included on superbills.
About Therapy Sessions
How often will we meet?
Most clients begin with weekly sessions, which builds the momentum that meaningful change requires. As you progress, we may shift to every other week or a maintenance schedule. Frequency is always a shared decision based on your goals.
How long does therapy take?
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 brings meaningful relief from targeted memories in fewer sessions than talk therapy alone. We review your progress regularly so therapy never runs on autopilot.
What happens in the first session?
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.
Is what I share confidential?
Yes. Everything you share is protected by confidentiality laws and HIPAA, with only narrow, legally required exceptions (such as imminent risk of harm), which I'll explain fully before we begin. If you pay privately, 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
What is EMDR, and how is it different from talk therapy?
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 my EMDR therapy page.
Does EMDR really work over telehealth?
Yes. I provide EMDR entirely online using screen-based bilateral eye-movement tracking. One requirement: EMDR sessions need to be done on a laptop or desktop computer, because a phone or tablet screen is too small for effective eye-movement tracking.
What's the difference between a standard EMDR session and an extended intensive?
A standard EMDR session is 50 minutes for $205. The extended intensive is 90 minutes for $250, 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.
Written and reviewed by Ruth Alcantara-Zboinski, LCSW, Qualified Supervisor. Last updated October 2026.
Still Have Questions?
The free 15-minute 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.