Yes! I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation. In this consultation I will get a sense of what you’re hoping to gain from therapy, go in more depth about how I work (as it relates to what brings you in), and either schedule an initial session or provide other resources so you get the best help.

Adults: The initial meeting is one hour, and subsequent sessions are 45 minutes 1-2x per week.

Teens/Children: The intake is scheduled in two parts; a 60 minute parent intake without the teen/child present, and a 45 minute teen/child intake session. Individual sessions are typically 45 minutes 1-2x per week. Family sessions are 60 minutes as needed.

Some people use therapy for targeted issues and have their specific issue resolve in a few months, while others utilize therapy for several years. Sometimes the issue that brings people in abates, and other goals emerge. Some people meet their goals and end therapy, and then return to address new issues that arise.

I believe in a flexible approach to therapy. I collaborate with each patient to determine the helpfulness of continued therapy intermittently along the way.

I work primarily in-person, with virtual sessions used as needed. I am open to a hybrid arrangement. I am happy to speak more about my in person versus virtual approach in the consultation!

My office is located on the Upper West Side (UWS) in Manhattan just off the C train at 86th Street, or a short walk to the 1 train at 86th Street. The address is 51 West 86th Street, Suite 104, New York, NY 10024.

I am currently in network with UMR insurance for Mount Sinai Hospital employees.

For all other insurances, I am out of network. I work with a billing administrator so you can use your out of network insurance benefits with ease. My biller will submit insurance claims on your behalf, answer any of your billing questions, generate documents so you may use your FSA/HSA benefits, and interface with your insurance if any issues arise.

My out of network fee is $275 per session. I have a number of sliding scale spots depending on people’s circumstances. People typically get reimbursed 50-80% of the session fee using their out of network insurance benefits.

You also may ask your insurance the following questions:

1- Do I have out-of-network benefits for mental health/behavioral health treatment?

2- Do I have an out-of-network deductible to meet before I am eligible for reimbursement? If so, how much of that deductible has been met this year?

3- What is the usual and customary rate covered for outpatient psychotherapy for a PhD level psychologist located in zip code 10024?

4- The insurer may ask you for specific CPT codes, which are used for billing purposes. You can reference CPT codes: 90791 (Initial Session only), 90834 (Individual Therapy), 90847 (Family Therapy)

You can use the “contact” button on the top and bottom of the page.

You can also reach me at shiraspielphd@gmail.com or 917-830-7351