New patient information page

What to expect in your first therapy session

If you've scheduled an initial therapy appointment with Tribeca Therapy, it's likely you've decided that our approach and the therapist you're going to see will be a good fit. That said, you should still see this first session as a chance for you and your therapist to decide together if it makes sense to continue with ongoing work. The best way to make this decision is also the best we to get help in therapy: participate actively in getting the help you need, and don't be afraid to ask for a lot.

The first session is not simply an informational interview–it is a therapy session in which you can expect to get some help, and to develop a good sense of the work ahead, both in and out of therapy.

The initial session is 45 minutes, though it is helpful to arrive a few minutes early and to set aside a full hour.

Getting into the space

Our Lower Manhattan office is at 79 Chambers Street between Broadway and Church in TriBeCa. We are close to all of the City Hall and Chambers Street express subway stops and about 4 blocks from the World Trade Center PATH station.

When you enter the building buzz your therapist and head to the top of the stairs (1 flight) and through the door marked "Tribeca Therapy."

There are two bathrooms on the floor.

Our Park Slope, Brooklyn therapy office is located at 561 4th Avenue, 2A, Brooklyn, NY 11215. We are close to the R, F, and G subway lines.

Confidentiality and privacy

Conversations with your therapist are confidential. There are very rare exceptions to this policy wherein your therapist may be legally compelled to break confidentiality, which you can discuss with your therapist directly.

If you are a public figure or have other privacy concerns that may relate to your treatment please speak with your therapist prior to your initial appointment.

A note about group therapy

As you may know, group therapy is an important offering at TriBeCa Therapy. Many patients who don't come specifically looking for group therapy are excited to know that it's an option, while others can find the prospect of joining a therapy group intimidating. Know that you can talk more about the option of group therapy with your therapist and that moving into group is not a decision that is made unilaterally, by either you or your therapist. As with all decisions about your therapy, choosing to join a group is a collaborative move and one you'll fully have the chance to discuss with your therapist. Even when therapist and patient agree that group is a good option, it's not something we rush right into.

Phone/ Skype therapy

When traveling away from New York City for an extended period of time, phone therapy or therapy via Skype is an available option to avoid disruptions in treatment. There are pros and cons to this format, so speak with your therapist about whether this is a good option for you.

Money-related details:

Fees for psychotherapy vary throughout the practice based on the provider you're working with and the type of therapy (individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, couples therapy, etc.). Our fees are competitive, and we work to be accessible to as many people who are interested in working with us as possible; some therapists at TriBeCa Therapy work on a sliding scale, which is a fee designed to be flexible based on your ability to pay and depends on availability and the time of day that's needed for the session. The setting of fees is best discussed face-to-face during your initial therapy session. If fee is a concern, please discuss before a first appointment.

You will be charged for your initial session at this rate.

Payment methods

We accept payment via cash or check made out to TriBeCa Therapy. We do not accept credit cards.

Payment policy

Your therapists will review the practice payment policy in your initial session and provide an opportunity to answer questions.

Insurance

At TriBeCa Therapy we are not in-network providers for any health insurance plans. This allows us to be flexible in our setting of fees, to reduce cumbersome paperwork, to insure confidentiality, and to do work that is based on your agenda, not that of your health insurance provider.

However, some or most of your therapy fee may be reimbursed by out-of-network coverage from your insurance company.

It is helpful (though not critical) for you to inquire, prior to your initial session, regarding the following:

Do I have mental or behavioral health insurance benefits?

Can I see an out-of-network psychotherapist?

What is my out-of-network deductible and has it been met?

How many sessions per year does my insurance cover?

What is the covered amount per session?

Am I required to get approval from my insurance company or primary care doctor?

These questions can be answered confidentially by your company's in-house benefits specialist or by calling the mental health (or in some cases "behavioral health") information number affiliated with your plan (usually visible on the back of your health insurance plan's card).

Payment in full is the responsibility of the patient, though your therapist will always be happy to help you navigate the process of getting the reimbursement you're due from your insurance provider.