FAQs

Do you do therapy virtually or in-person?
I am available to see you in person in NYC or virtually. Generally, I like to meet in person, at least for the first few sessions, because the in-person experience grants us a better opportunity to get to know each other and build a connection.

When and where do sessions take place?
My best availability at this time is on Mondays and Fridays. Early and evening appointments are available, as are occasional Saturday sessions. In-person sessions take place in Union Square, NYC.

Can I see you if I'm not in New York?
I only work with residents of New York state. This is to protect you — if client safety is at risk, an out-of-state therapist can’t effectively help the client get the help they need.

How do I make an appointment?
You can email me at ao@ossotherapy.com, call me at ‪917-300-9440, or fill out the form on this site.

Before a first session, I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to get a sense of what it would be like to work together. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions about me and the process.

What should I expect during our phone consultation?
During our 15-minute phone call, I can get an initial sense of your needs and what you’re hoping to address in therapy. In addition, you may ask questions about my style and approach. There is no cost to you and no commitment to continue.

If it feels right for you, we will schedule a 45-minute appointment. At this initial session, you can get a sense of what it is like to work with me, and we can come to an understanding about the focus of therapy and how best to proceed. If we are a good fit, we will schedule a weekly appointment time. If you have reservations, there is no obligation to continue after this first meeting.

It is key for you to be matched with a therapist whose approach, style, and expertise works for you. This unique relationship – along with your personal commitment — is crucial to a successful therapeutic alliance.

Do you take insurance?
I do not take insurance, but I am eligible for out-of-network coverage, which means that you can pay me for services, then apply for reimbursement. I encourage clients to check their insurance coverage, as often reimbursement rates for out-of-network providers cover between 50-80% of session fees.

Most PPO insurance plans reimburse once an out-of-pocket deductible has been reached. Therapy can also be paid for with pre-tax dollars from Flexible Spending (FSA) or Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

How do I check my out-of-network benefits?
If you plan to use your out-of-network benefits, some good questions to ask include:

• Does my plan include mental health benefits?

• Do I need preauthorization to access those benefits?

• What is the deductible under my plan, and has any part of it been satisfied?

• What percentage of the cost of treatment will be my responsibility once my deductible has been met?

• Is there a limit to the number of sessions my plan will cover?

How does scheduling with you work? And what if I need to cancel?
Research indicates that consistent therapy sessions allow for the most effective treatment.

I ask clients to commit to weekly appointments. At a minimum, we will meet once each week, though some clients come more frequently. If a client needs to reschedule a session, they should email me with some new times that work for them as soon as they can, and I’ll make every effort to accommodate the change. Sometimes, doing a session virtually can help with scheduling.

Once an appointment is scheduled, the client is expected to pay for it in full unless they provide 24 hours advance notice of cancellation.

Will you give me advice?
As a counselor, it’s more likely that I’ll help you examine your own experiences, thoughts, feelings, and beliefs in a way that will lead you to discover new ways to understand issues and initiate change. My training and observations can help you discover patterns, false beliefs, and untapped resources within you. I also provide education as appropriate. I believe this is much more valuable than creating a relationship where you’re asked to follow my instructions.

How often do you see clients?
Research shows that regular psychotherapy is the most effective way to engage; as such, folks come in for regular, recurrent sessions one, two, or three times per week. That being said, everyone has times in their life when a little more support is needed, so I also offer clients the opportunity to come in for additional crisis or as-needed sessions.

What kind of therapist are you?
I am training to be a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) who provides psychotherapy services. The term ‘therapist’ is general and can be applied to many practices (physical, occupational, etc.), so I identify as a mental health counselor and psychotherapist. My current theoretical framework is psychoanalytic, and my interests and study include cognitive behavioral, existential, and feminist and multicultural theories.

What does social justice have to do with therapy?
I believe that most of our issues have both internal and external causes and that people of all racial, ethnic, sexual, and gender identities should be able to access care that is affirming and multiculturally competent. Multicultural and feminist theory inform my practice, and I am committed to ongoing learning, reflection, and action to actively oppose and disrupt racism, homophobia, ableism, and sexism.

What is the typical length of therapy?
Sessions last 45 minutes. The duration of our work together will depend on many things: the severity and number of issues you want to address, your life circumstances, and your dedication to the process. Sometimes, short-term therapy is appropriate, and sometimes longer periods of work yield increasingly better results. I like to check in with clients regularly to make sure they are getting what they need from the process. Ultimately, the client can choose to terminate, pause, or re-start sessions at any time.

Will you make decisions about what we work on?
Therapy, to me, is a collaboration: the client brings their issues, lived experiences, strengths and skills, and I bring my clinical training, education, intuition, and observations. We often say that therapists are experts in change, while clients are experts in their own lives and needs.

Clients should set the agenda about what is most important to them to address in any given session or treatment period. That said, I also bring my own perspective and even occasional challenges to our conversations. As a counselor, I work hard to respect your process and desires, while also sometimes addressing issues that I think could enhance your well-being.

Do you have a sliding scale?
My fee is $150/session, which is designed to make therapy accessible to those who may not be able to afford higher-fee providers. Still, I know my fee is out of reach for some, and am committed to making space to work with as many folks as possible. As such, I do have a sliding scale where I see folks at a lower fee; these sliding scale sessions are reserved for those with measurable financial limitations.

Will what we talk about remain confidential?
Our discussions will remain confidential, though I am legally required to disclose things that you’re likely aware of: in the case of risk of harm to yourself, harm to others, child or elder abuse, or certain legal proceedings. I also seek consultation from senior colleagues on issues that emerge in my practice, but I do so with the least amount of disclosure possible.

In addition, insurance plans require periodic disclosure of clinical updates for treatment certification purposes.

What forms of payment do you accept?
l accept cash, check, Venmo or Zelle. Fees are usually charged monthly in the form of a superbill, which clients pay, and then can submit for out-of-network reimbursement. I don’t personally fill out insurance claim forms or interact directly with insurance companies, but am happy to support you in that process.

How do I know if a therapist is a good match for me?
Many studies show that the most important factor in successful therapy is the relationship between the therapist and the patient. Here are some factors to consider:

• When you talk to your therapist, do you feel at ease?

• Do you feel seen and understood?

• Do their style and approach align with your needs?

• Do you feel comfortable asking them for what you need?

Some people primarily seek support and a listening ear, while others want to be challenged or given concrete tasks. Consider what you need and ask your therapist how their style aligns with your goals.

Counselor Statement

I am a Clinical Mental Health Counselor in training, currently completing a Master of Arts at Northwestern University. My counseling philosophy is built on equity and culturally-competent care and aligns with the counseling profession’s view of the counseling relationship as one that empowers clients to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.

I provide LGBTQ+ affirming care to adults around issues of self-knowledge and identity, relationships, depression, and anxiety, with an orientation that acknowledges systemic oppression and honors feminist and social justice values.

My belief is that an individual’s inner clarity and well-being can transform communities and cultures. I am happy to collaborate with clients with authenticity and empathy as they seek greater well-being, stronger relationships, and intrinsic joy.