Frequently Asked Questions
Explore below to get answers to the most common questions we receive.
General Questions
What are the rates for therapy?
The initial intake therapy session is 215. During this 45-minute appointment we will explore in depth the issues that brought you to counseling and discuss your goals for change. Subsequent individual sessions for children and teens are 195. These are regular 45 minute sessions. During ongoing appointments we will develop a treatment plan that full addresses your goals, practice new strategies, and review your progress.
We can also meet for an extended session length of 60 minutes to discuss family concerns or dive deeper into issues. The 60-minute family therapy sessions, the initial intake session is 250. The rate for ongoing sessions is 235.
Online counseling sessions for client in New York are available using a secure confidential platform. For 30-minute online therapy sessions the initial intake session is 165 and for ongoing appointments, the rate is 145. The 45-minute online intake therapy session is $215 and the rate for ongoing 45-minute online therapy sessions is 195.
Per the No Surprises Act, if you do not intend to submit to insurance for possible OON reimbursement, you are entitled to a Good Faith Estimate. You decide the length and frequency of sessions and we do not bill, so no surprises, still a GFE can outline the projected cost of therapy at our rate for up to one year.
We recommend you always call your insurance plan to verify your out of network benefits and discuss their requirements for submitting for potential reimbursement toward the cost of therapy sessions.
Furthermore, when you talk this over with your partner or consider whether to proceed, keep in mind that mental health is just as important as physical health. And we pride ourselves on giving clients tools they can use to deal with mental stress and conflict for the rest of their lives.
Why don’t you accept insurance?
We are considered an out-of-network or private pay provider, and our session fees are due in full at the time of service. Because our therapists are specialty providers and offer care that is based on evidence and results, not dictated by third-party companies, we do not accept insurance directly.
Please contact your insurance provider to determine what the actual pricing for therapy would be. If you would like assistance with this, we are happy to contact your insurance provider on your behalf. Historically, our clients have received between 50-80% reimbursement from their insurance companies if they have out-of-network coverage for psychotherapy.
Our services may be able to be applied to your deductible.
Ask your insurance company whether you have out-of-network benefits or we can find out this information on your behalf. If you have out-of-network coverage, ask what percentage they cover for the following codes with a licensed mental health provider for codes 90834 and 90837.
You’ll also want to determinte whether you have a deductible to be met. Your deductible is a dollar amount you have to reach before insurance kicks in to start reimbursing services.
If you see the terms PPO, POS or out-of-network on your insurance card, you will likely be able to receive a percentage of the cost of services back in your pocket. If you see HMO, Medicare or Medicaid on your card, then you probably do not have these benefits.
For your convenience, we have two options for reimbursement from insurance. On a monthly basis, we can provide you with a detailed statement also known as a “superbill” in order for you to file for reimbursement with your insurance carrier. We can also submit claims for reimbursement on your behalf. Our billing team will assist you with any questions you may have.
Why do people choose to pay out-of-pocket for quality therapy even if they have insurance coverage?
Many people feel limited by the choices available through their insurance so they choose to pay out-of-pocket or use a Health Savings Account. Many of our clients are willing to self-pay because they received a referral to Courageous Kids Counseling from a trusted source who knows the quality of our services.
Can you offer a sliding scale or discounted appointments?
Our therapists are not authorized to decrease or defer payment for services. As a specialty practice, each therapist has a limited number of slots available in order to offer personalized care.
This means you benefit from a happy, skilled and fulfilled therapist that has the passion, time, and energy to devote to you and your family. Due to limited spaces available, we are unable to discount fees.
We encourage you to check your insurance plan and out-of-network benefits prior to starting with a therapist at Courageous Kids Counseling to ensure the process is sustainable for you.
Can I be seen less frequently to decrease the cost?
We ask for a weekly commitment at least through the first 2 months while we are still getting to know you and assessing your reason for entering therapy. As you move along in the process, your therapist will review your treatment plan. You and your therapist will discuss and agree upon frequency of care based on your progress.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept debit cards, credit cards, along with FSA and HSA cards.
What is the cancellation policy?
Sessions that are canceled within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment will be charged the full session rate. This is to preserve your time and ours.
Where is your office?
Our office is in Rockland County, New York:
13 North Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960
When are your office hours?
Monday through Friday: 3 pm – 8 pm
Saturdays: 9 am – 1 pm
We know you have to work and need later appointments for when your child is out of school, so we reserve the afternoon and evening appointments for parents.
What age ranges do you work with?
We provide therapy for children and teens between the ages of 3 and 17.
Do you offer online sessions?
Yes, wherever you live in New York state, we offer convenient online therapy sessions from the comfort of your own home.
You can get the care your child needs without all the fuss.
Questions About Therapy
How does counseling for children and teens work?
We want your child or teen to feel comfortable and supported. Our goals are threefold: to discover what brings them to counseling at this point in time, what would happen if things don’t change or they don’t get the support they need, and what could be better in their life as a result of a successful therapy experience.
At the end of the initial session, your child should walk away feeling a sense of hope, empowerment, and direction.
What else should I know about therapy?
This is a meandering journey, and not a race to the finish line. We’ll talk about your child’s situation. We will listen to their story, their past, and their current challenges. We’ll provide our own insight and knowledge. But most of the real work will come from your child learning strategies and applying them in their lives.
We are all a team and will collaborate with you and your child in this process. Your child’s success will come from using proven strategies that work.
Ultimately, you and your child can choose which tools to use. We are here to help you along the way to make these decisions and help your child sort things out so they can be in a better place moving forward.
What can I expect in the first session?
Your first visit will last 45 minutes. This is where we discuss your child’s history, including what brought them to therapy. We will review the intake forms that we have sent you in advance.We’ll also talk with you and your child about the therapy process and your goals for future sessions.
Do you provide a diagnosis?
We have your privacy in mind. A mental health diagnosis is not mandatory and not submitted to your private health records. Clients and parents may have concerns about privacy during treatment; a diagnosis will need to be given to you or your child in order for you to seek reimbursement under insurance. When using insurance, you may also experience restrictions on the type of therapy utilized and the number of sessions provided.
For this reason, we strive to provide a specialized and flexible approach tailored to your child’s unique needs and free of limitations.
What are the length of therapy sessions?
We offer therapy in 45 and 60 minute increments for in-person and virtual sessions. We also offer 30-minute online therapy sessions. Therapy visits include periodic administration and scoring of a -variety of screenings and assessments, as indicated for anxiety, depression, trauma, executive functioning, OCD and other possible issues.
We fully support you and your child in the journey to feeling better. Your therapy package also includes access to us by phone, text, and email throughout the week to answer questions and discuss your child’s progress. We do our best to respond within 24 hours at a minimum.
Please check out our team providers to find the right fit for you and your child. Your initial appointment is an excellent opportunity to get to know your therapist and become comfortable with the therapy process. We encourage new clients to take advantage of this opportunity and to start working on themselves!
What is the typical length of treatment so I can gauge my overall investment in this process?
The average length of treatment for most children and teens is about 24 sessions of weekly treatment. This can vary depending on your child’s pace, understanding, comfort level, and commitment to the process.
We believe in fostering independence, and to do that, we work as a team with you and your child so they learn the skills they need to be successful once they leave therapy.
Our job is to help children and families feel confident and knowledgable so once they no longer need us they will be their own brain coach! Of course, we welcome you back if you ever need us again.
Do you work with other treatment providers?
Yes. During your initial session, we will ask you if you have any other providers with whom you would like us to communicate. These might be physicians, psychiatrists, school counselors, school psychologists, former therapists, treatment centers, etc. If so, we will ask you to sign a “Release of Information” form so that we may speak with these providers regarding your child’s care.
How do I take the next step?
If you have any questions about scheduling an appointment, I would be happy to talk to you for a 20-minute free consultation. I can also be reached by phone at (914) 348-3040, or you may send me a brief email to erica@courageouskidscounseling.com.
Ready to get started today? You can also schedule an appointment with one of our licensed therapists.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Found the therapist that's right for you? Book an appointment with them today!
Check with your insurance provider to find out if you have out of network benefits. We can provide a receipt of services to provide your insurance company. We accept a variety of payment methods, including cash, check, debit card, and credit card, health savings accounts, and flexible health care spending accounts.
Cancellation Policy
It is important to attend appointments consistently in order to see the best results. We understand that our clients sometimes need to cancel their appointments. Please let us know if you are unable to keep your appointment. You will be charged a fee if the session is not canceled with at least 24 hours notice. If you have any questions about our policy, we would be happy to provide more information.
Want to know where to start?
In our work together, we will uncover what is missing from your child’s life, what’s holding them back in worry and despair, and what are the ways we can help them move toward a place of happiness and fulfillment.
We provide convenient in-person and online therapy sessions for children.
Schedule an appointment today. You will then receive electronic intake form and consent forms to sign. Lastly, you will meet in person or online with your child's therapist. It's that easy and can make all the difference!
We provide convenient online sessions.
