Who am I?

Hello, I’m Captain!

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

I’m glad you’re here!

I’m a counselor licensed to practice in the states of New York, Michigan, and Minnesota. I offer online counseling from an affirming, trauma-informed, person-centered perspective, and strive to be thoughtful and transparent in all parts of my practice. I believe that mental health care should be collaborative, and that you are the expert on you! I will work with you to explore your needs and wants from therapy and help develop therapeutic goals that are truly yours. I look forward to crafting your mental health journey together!

LEARN MORE ABOUT ME

Areas of Knowledge

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Unconditional positive regard

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LGBTQIA2S+ and gender expansive care

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Relationship and interpersonal concerns

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Inclusive and trauma-informed

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My approach

Counseling sessions are tailored to the needs of each individual and/or group. I serve individuals, relationship partners of any kind, and families struggling with their sense of wellbeing or who wish to deepen their understanding of themselves. In my practice, I focus on the client(s) as the expert on themselves, and work to provide unconditional positive regard* through a multiculturally-informed person-centered approach to the therapeutic process where we can explore your emotional landscape together, identify goals, and regularly revisit our plan of action. This may include exploring your past to see how it is affecting the present, or working primarily with current symptoms or concerns and exploring possibilities for growth and change. I also acknowledge the systemic oppressions that are not your fault but may impact your life and contribute to your mental health. I often use tools and techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy, and other modalities. My goal is to create a safe, non-judgmental space to help you reach your goals!

*Unconditional positive regard: what is it? It is about me accepting you for you, and not judging you in any way for your behaviors or the choices you have made due to your unique circumstances. I firmly believe that you (yes, you reading this right now) are a person worthy of respect, empathy, and acceptance!

FAQ

How does it work?

Once you reach out to me to express your interest, we will schedule a 20 minute phone or video consultation. If it feels like a good fit and we decide to move forward, we will find a set time each week for us to meet via video.

The first 1-3 sessions will involve a comprehensive evaluation of your needs. By the end of the evaluation, I will be able to offer you some initial impressions of what our work might include. At that point, we will discuss your treatment goals and create an initial plan collaboratively. During this time, you should evaluate your experience with me and make your own assessment about whether you feel comfortable working with me. If you have questions about my procedures, we should discuss them whenever they arise. If you are not satisfied, please discuss with me and I will be happy to refer you to other clinics that might better suit your needs. Otherwise, we will continue to meet weekly and work to achieve your goals!

Therapy calls for a very active effort on your part. In order for the therapy to be most successful, you will have to work on things we talk about both during our sessions and at home. The outcome of your treatment depends largely on your willingness to engage in this process, which may, at times, result in considerable discomfort. Remembering unpleasant events and becoming aware of feelings attached to those events can bring on strong feelings. I will support you every step of the way as we give your thoughts and emotions space clarify what it is that you want for yourself.

The length of our work together will depend on your needs and goals, and may last a few months or a year or more. I am open to both short-term and long-term therapy, and we will collaborate to determine what is best for you!

What are the risks?

Counseling has both benefits and risks. Risks may include experiencing uncomfortable feelings, such as sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, frustration, loneliness and helplessness, because the process of counseling often requires discussing difficult aspects of your life. However, counseling has been shown to have benefits for individuals who undertake it. Therapy often leads to a significant reduction in feelings of distress, increased satisfaction in interpersonal relationships, greater personal awareness and insight, increased skills for managing stress and resolutions to specific problems. However, there are no guarantees about what will happen. Counseling requires a very active effort on your part. In order to be most successful, you will have to work on things we discuss outside of sessions.

In addition, online counseling is not for everyone. If you prefer meetings and doctors appointments in person, you may struggle with the online format of therapy. Please consider if therapy by video feels like the right match for you.

How long is a counseling session?

Appointments for individual counseling sessions will ordinarily be up to 50 minutes in duration, once per week at a time we agree on. Relationship, couples, or family counseling sessions will ordinarily be 60 minutes in duration.

What are your fees? Do you accept insurance?

My fee is variable depending on the type of service, length of session and frequency, and market rates. I have a sliding scale questionnaire that allows for flexible rates for those that need it so that care is more accessible to those who need it. Please contact me at captain@cscounselingnyc.com for more information.

I am in-network with Optum and United Healthcare insurances (including United Healthcare Oxford). Please reach out to me with your insurance information so that I can verify that I am in-network with your specific plan. Your insurance may also provide out-of-network mental/behavioral health benefits, and you can call your provider to determine this. If you need more information on what to ask your insurance provider, please reach out to me. I am happy to work with you on the paperwork you will need to provide your insurance provider for out-of-network or HSA benefits at your request.

What if I need to cancel?

The time scheduled for your appointment is assigned to you and you alone. If you need to cancel or reschedule a session, I ask that you provide me with 24-hours notice.

If you miss a session without canceling, or cancel with less than 24-hour notice, my policy is to collect the amount of your session fee. If it is possible, I will try to find another time to reschedule the appointment. In addition, you are responsible for coming to your session on time; if you are late, your appointment will still need to end on time.

Good Faith Estimate Notice

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining what the charges could be for mental health services provided to you.

While it is not possible for a therapist to know, in advance, how many sessions may be necessary or appropriate for a given person, you are entitled to an estimate of the services that are reasonably ecpected for your healthcare needs for an item or service. Your total cost of services will depend upon the number of sessions you attend, your individual circumstances, and the type and amount of services that are provided to you.

Under the law, health care providers need to give their patients or clients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.

You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.

If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.