Frequently Asked Questions

What is your session format and are you seeing patients in person?

Sessions are 45 minutes in duration. Certain assessment sessions, particularly with parents and children, may be closer to 50-55 minutes. 

I see patients both through a HIPAA compliant telehealth platform and in person in my office in the NoMad area in Manhattan. 

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Do you take my insurance?

In order to provide the highest level of personalized care, I only accept one insurance company (Aetna in New York State) and am considered an "out-of-network provider" for all other insurances. If you have benefits for out-of-network care, then you should be eligible for at least some reimbursement for our sessions. I know that navigating insurance reimbursement can often be confusing and overwhelming, ultimately creating a barrier in getting access to therapy. It is important to me that therapy remains accessible to my patients, and so I have partnered with a reimbursement specialist who can verify your benefits for you before our first appointment. I would be happy to discuss this process with you when we meet for our consultation. In the meantime, please feel free to use this tool to check what your reimbursement levels look like: mentaya.com/b/lea-schupak

If you're insured through Aetna, please let me know during our initial consultation call or introductory email.

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What is your fee?
My fee varies based on the service provided (whether you're an individual, or seeking couples counseling, etc). Please schedule a consultation or email me for more information. I also work on a sliding scale basis, meaning I save a few spots in my schedule for patients whose financial situation makes it difficult for them to afford therapy in NYC, and lower my fee to make regular, weekly sessions sustainable and accessible. 

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Notice to current patients and prospective patients:

Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare 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, or at any time during treatment. 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, or how to dispute a bill, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

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What happens during our initial therapy session and how do I know you're the right therapist for me?

This varies slightly different depending on whether you're a parent seeking therapy for a child, or an individual coming for psychotherapy. Primarily it will be an opportunity for you to tell me what areas you'd like to work on in therapy, and what brings you to therapy now. We will also address any questions or concerns you may have. I might ask questions to get to know you better, namely on topics such as work, school, relationships, family, etc. I will ask about how the problems you are experiencing are impacting you, and what you'd like to improve in your life. Together we will then determine a plan of action. We will also be assessing what it's like to be in the therapeutic environment together and whether we're a good fit to work together. The best way to know if we're right for each other, ultimately, is to schedule an initial session and give it a shot.

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Do you work with couples?

Yes, I do. In my practice I see monogamous and ethically non-monogamous couples, married / unmarried people, and view relationships from a non-binary and non-normative lens. I am appreciative of diversity in relationships and work with people of all genders, sexualities and cultures. I also see many blended families. Many couples feel comfortable working with me due to my European background and the expansiveness with which I view relationships.

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I want to meet in person but would like to also have the option of meeting virtually from time to time. Can you do that?

Yes. I offer the flexibility of both in-person session and telehealth. I understand people have busy schedules and that virtual appointments sometimes work better. 

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What is your cancellation policy?

I understand that sometimes, life gets in the way! Please notify me of any schedule changes at least 48 hours before our appointment time. I charge my full fee otherwise. Insurance companies will not reimburse you for any expenses associated with missed appointments.

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Could we schedule a consultation call?

 Yes. I provide a free consultation call to help us determine whether we should move forward with an initial session. During this call, I will ask about some general things that you want to work on in psychotherapy, discuss the fee, explain my policies, and of course, answer any questions you may have about the process. After that,  if it feels right, we will make an appointment for a longer first official session.

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Haven't found an answer to your question? Please contact me: