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| Location: |
Ridgewood, NJ 07451
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| Phone: |
(201) 690-6760
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| Profession: |
Clinical Social Worker/Therapist
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| Services: |
Psychotherapy/Counseling
Telehealth (Video/Phone) Therapy
Employee Assistance Counseling
Psychological Evaluations
| I am available for telehealth sessions in NJ, NY & FL. |
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| Session Formats: |
Individuals
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| Practice Description: |
In order to improve your quality of life, people tend to be proactive in their physical health. Your state of mind should not be any different. Psychotherapy can be helpful. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in NJ/NY and a Licensed Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC). Additionally, I am professionally accredited by the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW), as recognition to have met national standards for higher levels of experience and knowledge. Lastly, upon completion of my Field Seminar Instruction, I am certified to train and supervise graduate students.
I am a long-standing member of the National Association of Social Workers which is an organization that provides community educational resources and advocacy support to achieve high professional and ethical practice standards. In addition, I am a member of the Hills/Valley Coalition which is an alliance of community members working to educate and promote the community about mental health and substance issues to reduce risk teen behavior and support healthy family lifestyles.
As a guest on the National Broadcasting Radio, I was interviewed on their daily show to discuss my contributions to the community and private clients. Recently, my article, Initiating and Beginning the Psychotherapy Process was published. It is a brief synopsis of information provided to my clients and their families over the years due to their struggles trying to understand and manage the mental healthcare system. It is tended to be used as a starting point and to clarify the treatment process to make better informed decisions. My article can be read under the Featured Article heading to the right of this paragraph.
As a clinician for over 20 years, treating young adults, adults, and seniors facing different issues in various levels of care provided me excellent professional experience to work independently in private practice. I will use my acquired skills, knowledge, and experience to help improve your emotional well-being.
During the first session, I will conduct an assessment by gathering information to gain an understanding of your problems and provide recommendations. In the next session, we will complete a treatment plan to include your short and long term goals. Besides clarifying your expectations, this plan will serve as a baseline to monitor your improvement. The following sessions will include learning problem solving skills, solution focused techniques, and coping strategies to get your life back on track.
Please call 201-690-6760 to arrange for a free consultation.
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Practice Specialties or Interests:
(Strengths are
in bold text) |
Anxiety
Depression
Life Transitions
ADHD
Adjustment Disorder
Adult Children of Alcoholics
Codependency
Eating Disorders
Infidelity
OCD
Parenting Issues
Personal Growth
Relationship Issues
Self-Esteem
Sleep Disorders
Smoking Cessation
Stress Management
Career issues
Addiction of a loved one
Video game addiction
Cannabis Addiction
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| Age Specialties: |
Adults
Elders
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| Treatment Approaches: |
Behavioral
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Positive Psychology
Psychoeducation
Psychosocial Therapy
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
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| Education: |
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Binghamton University, 1991
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Adelphi University, 1993
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| License #: |
Licenced Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) #44SC04301100 |
| Licensed In: |
New Jersey |
| Additional Licenses/ Certifications: |
Licensed Clinical Social Worker NY (LCSW)
Licensed Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor NJ (LCADC)
Academy of Certified Social Workers National (ACSW)
Field Instructor Certification NJ |
| Professional Affiliations: |
 | National Association of Social Workers 1991-present | | Hills/Valley Coalition for Resilient Youth 2017-present |
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| Fee Schedule: |
Private pay rates available for 30, 45 or 60 minute sessions.
Credit cards (including Health Savings Account cards) are accepted. |
| Accepted Insurance: |
Aetna
Anthem
Beacon Health Options
Blue Cross
Blue Shield
Cigna
Empire BlueCross BlueShield
Horizon
Magellan
Medicare
Optum
Oxford
TRICARE
UMR
United Behavioral Health (UBH)
UnitedHealthcare
Evernorth
Acentra, Carebridge, or Omaha (EAP)
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| Insurance and Billing Details: |
I am IN NETWORK for most major insurance companies and accept many Employee Assistance Programs*. You will NOT need to submit any paperwork to your insurance company and/or Employee Assistance Program because all claims/benefits will be processed by Personal Solutions, LLC.
*An EAP benefit may be offered by your employer. An employee and his/her family could receive FREE sessions (usually betweeen 3 and 8 a benefit year) to be used for counseling and recommendations. |
| Additional Comments: |
Q & A: Thinking about Initiating and Beginning Psychotherapy.....
What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a psychological treatment for people struggling with emotional and/or adjustment issues. It is a process that varies in length according to the needs of the individual and involves talking with a trained psychotherapist. People attend therapy to explore issues that impact their mental health, develop goals and learn coping strategies to get their lives back on track. Therapists work with clients to understand their thoughts, feelings and behaviors, and clinically plan accordingly to achieve desired outcomes. Psychotherapy is confidential, with exceptions, and can be provided to individuals, couples, groups and families. I provide individual psychotherapy through telehealth for young adults, adults and seniors. Prescribing medications is not in the scope of a psychotherapist.
Who can be helped by psychotherapy?
In order to improve quality of life, people tend to be proactive in their physical health. Your state of mind should not be any different. Consider this:
If you injured your leg, you would work with a physical therapist to help the healing process.
If you had a brain trauma, you would work with a speech therapist to re-learn language skills.
If you suffered a heart attack, you would seek a nutritionist to recommend a healthier diet.
If you are hurting on the inside, or unintentionally hurting the ones you love with your words or actions because of anxiety or depression, would you meet with a psychotherapist in to understand yourself better and make positive changes in your life?
For most people psychotherapy can be helpful. Ask yourself the following questions:
Are you flooded with emotions such as depression, anxiety and anger?
Do you have difficulty expressing these confusing and uncomfortable feelings?
Are you overwhelmed by your responsibilities or lack of motivation?
Do you suffer from problems in your relationships at home, school or work?
Are you having difficulty adjusting to a life transition?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may consider talking with a psychotherapist. Many people choose to begin therapy to resolve emotional problems and achieve a healthier sense of wellbeing.
How is telehealth beneficial?
Telehealth is the practice of delivering clinical health care services using interactive audio and visual electronic devices (such as a cell phone, tablet or computer) where the therapist and client are not in the same physical location. Potential benefits with telehealth include increased accessibility to, convenience of care, time efficient, and limits medical exposures.
What should I expect during the first session?
The lowest level of care is Outpatient. You can utilize a therapeutic relationship and maintain healthy functioning between scheduled outpatient appointments. This usually consists of a 50 minute individual session once a week. This is the service I provide. At the first session, I will conduct an assessment by gathering past and present information. After the evaluation, I will discuss with you my understanding of your problems and provide recommendations. Recommendations may include type of treatment and theoretical approaches will be most beneficial for you. Additional referrals may be suggested, such as scheduling an appointment with a primary care physician, nutritionist, and/or psychiatrist. Names for self-help groups and community resources may be identified.
What should I expect from the second session?
I will develop a treatment plan with you to include short term and long term objectives. Besides clarifying your expectations, this plan serves as a baseline for monitoring improvement, maintaining focus, and verifying medical necessity for treatment to secure reimbursement from an insurance company or Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
What about the proceeding sessions?
Your therapeutic relationship will move toward achievement of desired goals. I will challenge some of your assumptions and/or perceptions and propose different ways of looking at, thinking about or handling situations which cause you unwanted emotions and/or behaviors. During the course of treatment, I will likely draw on various psychological approaches according to your issues.
What does confidentiality mean in a therapeutic relationship?
All the information disclosed within sessions and the written records pertaining to those sessions are confidential and may not be revealed to anyone without your written permission, except where disclosure is required by state law. Some of the circumstances where disclosure is required by New Jersey law are: a reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect towards a child or vulnerable adult; a client is gravely disabled or presents a danger to self, to others, or to property. Disclosure may be required due to legal proceedings. If a client places his/her mental status at issue in litigation initiated by the client, the defendant may have the right to obtain psychotherapy records and/or testimony by the therapist
How long will my treatment take?
The length of therapy varies depending on your problems and issues. When you learn to manage your challenges and achieve your goals, therapy is concluded. For this reason, therapy may be short term. You may uncover additional objectives to grow and desire to continue with therapy. For this reason, therapy may be longer. During treatment, you may need a higher level of care or a different type of psychotherapy and be recommended for alternative treatment. Most likely, you and I will agree that you reached your desired outcomes, and a date will be set to conclude therapy.
How does treatment get reimbursed?
The most common method of payment is from your medical health insurance. You are financially responsible for your share of the costs based upon the policy. Your employer may offer an additional benefit called an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). You could receive free sessions (on average 5) to be used for recommendations, referrals and/or for brief interventions. Private pay is an option in which a fee is pre-determined by length of time of the session.
Why is it better to be an in network provider?
I am in network with most major medical health insurances and several EAP’s. The deductible, copay or co-insurance will be cheaper if a provider is in network verses out of network. As an in network provider, I will submit the claims for you. If a provider is out of network you have to submit the claims.
How do I know if I have an EAP benefit?
Ask your human resource department or check your employee handbook. The EAP representative will determine if you meet the requirements and how many sessions are allotted to you for a specific time period. He/she will provide you with an authorized therapist and an authorization number which will be used in submitting claims to the EAP company. You will not be responsible for any payment, and I submit any claims. It is better emotionally, financially and time efficient to start with a therapist who is an approved EAP provider and on your insurance provider list, if you choose to continue with treatment after the EAP sessions are used. I can offer that as well.
What if I have additional questions?
The above is a brief synopsis of information that I have provided for my clients and their families over the years due to their struggles trying to understand and manage the mental health care system. It is intended to be used as a starting point and to clarify the therapy process for you to make better informed decisions. If you should have any questions or comments, please feel free to call and I will happily address them. |
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Telehealth only |
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| Accepting New Clients: Yes | | Years in Practice: Over 20 | | Prescribe Medication: No | | Evening Availability: Yes | | Weekend Availability: Yes |
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