Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In addition to individual and couples therapy, we also offer group therapy and specialized workshops. The intake coordinator can inform you of the scheduling of these groups and workshops. We currently have group dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Dialectical behavior therapy is a widely used cognitive-behavioral approach to learning how to handle impulses, resolve interpersonal conflicts, improve your everyday life, and regulate emotions in everyday life. You can learn more about these groups by contacting our Intake Coordinator at (212) 308-2440.

We require a minimum of two (2) business days notice for cancellations. If you attempt to reschedule with less than 2 days notice and the clinician is unavailable, you will be responsible for the late cancellation fee. Any cancellations or reschedules made outside these parameters will be charged the full session fee.

When you begin cognitive-behavioral therapy, you will begin with an intake evaluation, which may take two or more sessions. Your therapist will ask you to fill out a variety of self-report forms that assess a range of symptoms and problems. These forms evaluate depression, anxiety, anger, fears, physical complaints, personality, and relationships. Your therapist will also review with you the various situations and relationships that may be troublesome for you. Specifically, we will want to learn the kinds of thoughts and assumptions you may have, what behaviors you engage in that are rewarding or unpleasant to your and others, and your style of communicating and listening. The purpose of this evaluation is to gather sufficient information on you so that you and your therapist can know quickly the kinds of problems you do (or do not) have and the degree of your problem.

Many people wonder what to expect when they begin therapy. Although your individual experience will vary depending on the problems and goals that you have, many patients can expect the following:

Initial Assessment: You will be asked to complete a number of self-report forms. These forms assess your presenting problem and your history of problems. These standardized questionnaires assess depression, anxiety, emotions, decision making, personality, relationship issues, substance abuse, and other problems. After your therapist has reviewed these forms you can work together to determine what areas need work and what your “symptom level” is prior to treatment. In this way, you can also assess whether you are making progress.

Periodic Assessments: Periodically your therapist may have you fill out additional forms in the course of treatment to see what is changing and what still needs to change. This allows you and your therapist the opportunity to see what is really going on. You can learn if your depression, anxiety or emotional responses are changing. You may also want to set some goals for your behavior—for example, projects that you want to get done or things that you are procrastinating on.

Self-Help: A great deal of research shows that patients who actively do self-help homework are more likely to improve and maintain their improvement. You and your therapist can develop techniques and interventions that you can practice outside of therapy sessions to help you feel more effective in handling your emotions, negative thoughts, relationships and behavioral problems. Self-help builds a sense of self-effectiveness.

Reading Material: You and your therapist can decide together what additional reading material can help you understand your problem. This website is an excellent source of information on a great number of issues—so you should take some time and examine the content of the extensive readings on this website. We also have books available for purchase and other reading material on a number of problems. We will try to suggest readings that reflect scientifically based approaches to depression, anxiety, relationship issues and other problems.

Plan of Treatment: You and your therapist can work together to set up a problem list or goals that you want to work on. These problems might include procrastination, self-esteem, sadness, inactivity, anxiety, relationship conflicts, or any problems that you think you need help with. Over the course of treatment you and your therapist can devise plans and techniques to address these problems.

Agenda-setting: Although you and your therapist will want to be open to dealing with your immediate concerns as they arise in the session, we recommend that you come to each session with one or two issues that you want to address for that meeting. In addition to your topics, you and your therapist will want to review your feelings about the last session, any self-help you used, and your plans for the coming week, including additional self-help.

Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form or call (212) 308-2440 to set up a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation with one of our expert therapists based on your reasons for seeking treatment.

You and your therapist will work together to develop a plan of therapy. This might include how often you need to come, the relevance of medication, your diagnosis, your goals, skill acquistion, needed changes in the way you think, behave, and communicate, and other factors. As part of your treatment plan, your therapist will develop a conceptualization of the nature of your problem. This will include a review of your past experience with similar or different problems, the habitual and problematic style of thinking and behaving that characterizes your problem, and a strategy to develop new ways of thinking, behaving and interacting to help you solve your current problems and prevent them from re-occurring.

Cognitive therapy tries to work efficiently within the 45-minute session. Unlike other forms of therapy, which are unstructured, you and your therapist will set an agenda for each meeting. The agenda might include a review of your experience in the previous session, your homework, one or two current problems, a review of what you’ve accomplished in this session, and homework for the next session. 

Differences between patient and therapist may arise as they do in any meaningful human relationship. We encourage you to give your therapist both negative and positive feedback as an ongoing part of your treatment. Perhaps your therapist needs to readjust the approach to fit your specific needs and sensitivities. Perhaps your therapist is not doing as good a job as he or she can in understanding the meaning of your problems to you. In addition, your automatic thoughts and assumptions may be activated in the relationship and may prove useful in understanding other problems that you may have. However, if you have tried to discuss this and work on it with your therapist and still do not feel comfortable with him or her, you may wish to transfer to another therapist at the Institute. Many patients find that the transfer helps them move on more rapidly in solving problems.

If you are on medication, you may wish to continue to be supervised on your medication with your physician. If you would like to have us recommend a psychiatrist for medication, we will be happy to do so. In addition, we also can provide you with referrals for internists, gynecologists, and other physicians.

Both approaches have unique advantages. In-person therapy may prove better for individuals without private access to technology or who are navigating certain mental health concerns. Teletherapy’s greatest advantage is how you can slot it into a busy life from the comfort of your home, making it more accessible for a wider population.