FAQ's

You might have a longtime challenge that you are ready to address or something new that has cropped up. Either way, reaching out for support is a sign of strength and gives you a chance to repair wounds, overcome challenges, and improve your life. Some people come to therapy for personal growth and to give space for their aspirations.

I work with anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, and couples. In practice that often looks like worry and rumination, a harsh inner critic, saying yes when you mean no, panic, low mood, or the ways trauma keeps showing up in your body and your relationships.

Alongside talk therapy I use Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems, and movement, depending on what you need. Which of those I reach for, and when, depends on the person in front of me.

It’s natural to be uncertain about finding the right person to help you. There are numerous therapists and many different approaches, and what works well for one person may not be right for another. My approach is not formulaic, but it is not random and desultory either. That is part of the art and craft of therapy — I employ tools that have been proven to be effective, but when and with whom depend on each person.

Some people want a chance to speak, with reflections that allow them to come up with their own solutions. Other people like to be challenged. I will be open with you and also rely on years of training and experience to figure out what you need.

Calling for a brief discussion with me is free and carries no obligation, so you can find out whether I might be a good fit. If you think I could be, that’s your entry point to give it a chance and begin making changes.

Many people have found AI to be surprisingly useful for a number of tasks. Some have even found AI to be helpful with their mental health, as it can offer reflection without the vulnerability of opening up to another person. But that vulnerability is the beauty of working with a therapist: having another human witness and join you in your struggle. And while AI tends to agree with whatever you say, a therapist can gently point out aspects that you might not be seeing. In therapy, I will also pay attention to your posture, your breath, and your expression in a way that AI cannot.

First, you’ll have a free 15–20 minute phone call. If you decide to have an initial session, it will usually run about 60 minutes. This can be in person or virtual on a confidential platform. I will send you a link to my portal where you can review and complete some forms.

After I gather pertinent background information, we will set some goals and identify the best approach for your needs. The goals can be very specific or just general guidelines, so we know where you are headed and can gauge progress along the way. Ongoing sessions typically run 45 to 60 minutes, usually weekly to begin with. Couples sessions are usually 75 minutes.

Both. I see people in person at my office in Montclair, at the Mind Body Therapy Collective on Park Street, and I also see people online on a confidential video platform. I am licensed in New Jersey, New York, and California, so we can work together by video from anywhere in those three states. Some people come in person throughout; others meet with me by video entirely, or come in and switch to video when they need to.

If you’re coming in person, the door to Suite 206 opens into a waiting room, so there’s no need to knock. Come on in and have a seat.

Somatic Experiencing is a body-based method developed by Peter Levine that works with the nervous system, rather than only through talk. It is quieter than most people expect — often it is simply noticing sensations, following small shifts, and pausing when something feels like too much. It is not necessary to retell or reexperience what happened, and you determine the pace.

I am certified as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. There is a fuller description on my somatic therapy page.

Yes. By law, I am required to keep what you share confidential, with a few limited exceptions — such as a serious risk of harm — that I will explain to you. Feeling safe and private is part of what lets therapy work.

There’s no one timeline for therapy. Some people find what they need in a relatively short period, while others need more time, especially when they are dealing with longstanding patterns or complicated circumstances. I don’t promise that you’ll feel better in a particular number of weeks. At the same time, my approach is not open-ended without purpose. We’ll set goals, use the approaches that seem most useful, and check in along the way about whether you are making progress and what would be most helpful next.

I am in network with Cigna insurance for individual therapy, and out of network for all other plans. I don’t accept Cigna for couples therapy. For out-of-network plans, I can provide you with a superbill for insurance reimbursement if your plan offers it. We can discuss my fee and what might work for you.