Free initial consult
I offer a free 30-minute consult session. This way you can learn first- hand whether our working together will be a good fit for you with no strings attached. If you would like to schedule a free first session, please call 315.569.1968 and feel free to leave a message on my confidential voice mail.
Services
My practice welcomes you as a client, and particularly focuses on children from ages 2 and a half through 12 and their families. I also work with some adults. There are a wide variety of issues that can be addressed through either traditional psychotherapy methods, sand play therapy or by me utilizing both directive and non-directive child-centered play therapy techniques. Additionally, I use the Nurtured Heart Approach with many children and their parents.
Play therapy
Play therapy involves the therapeutic use of play to help children better express what is troubling them since developmentally they still lack the verbal language to express their thoughts and feelings. Play therapy can be used with children experiencing a variety of emotional, behavioral, social, and learning issues including: post-traumatic stress disorder, fears, anxiety, depression, ADHD, conduct disorders, aggression, impulsivity, low self-esteem, social withdrawal, spectrum disorders, and learning challenges. It is also used to treat children struggling with issues of loss, death, relocation, divorce, chronic illness, adoption, physical/sexual abuse, adjustment issues, family stress, shyness, peer relationships, school avoidance, and sibling rivalry. Children from ages 2 1/2 through 12 may receive services in my well equipped play room. The type of services that I incorporate with each child will depend on their age, developmental level, and interest in the playroom.
Adult & family counseling
Involves treatment of issues such as depression, stress, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, parenting issues, parent/child struggles, career/workplace stresses, family of origin issues, grief/loss, communication issues, grandparents needing support as they parent their grandchildren, adoption, sibling issues, achieving work/life balance, and parenting/coping with raising children having special needs or aging parents.
General explanation of sessions
I offer 30-60 minute individual psychotherapy sessions for children and adults. I generally see individuals on a weekly basis. However, once healing has begun, sessions can sometimes be reduced to twice per month. However, for children in play therapy, I prefer to see them on a weekly basis for consistency reasons. I will do my best to handle the scheduling needs of your family on a case by case basis, and then schedule session times and frequencies to fit your schedule and financial needs. The first session will consist of you filling out some necessary intake paperwork and a brief explanation of what you hope to get out of our time. The length of your treatment is difficult to project. The length of time one spends in counseling will be dependent upon your goals, motivation, external support, personal work outside of sessions, and how chronic your concerns have become.
Insurance
At this time, I currently participate with Excellus, Fidelis Care New York, and Multi Plan. Some other insurance companies will also provide reimbursement for my service as an “out-of-network provider”. However, I do not directly bill all insurance companies at this time. There are definite advantages and disadvantages to pursuing insurance reimbursement which I would be happy to discuss with you. Payments are due at the time of service. If you should decide to use an insurance company that I do not participate with to pay for counseling, the billing company that I use (O’Brien’s Billing) will provide receipts to you so that you can submit them directly to your insurance company. I cannot guarantee reimbursement and encourage you to inquire with your insurance company directly about coverage for “out-of-network” providers.