Frequently Asked Questions

Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy may include: • Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals, and your values • Developing skills for improving your relationships • Finding resolutions to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy • Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety • Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.

Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will vary depending on the individual. It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. In general, you can expect to discuss what's currently happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issues, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your therapist (often weekly or monthly).

You can expect a reply within 1-2 business days from our Intake Coordinator/Office Administrator. The Intake Coordinator will speak with you and begin to understand the reasons you are reaching out for services and match you with the right therapist with who you are most likely to reach your treatment goals. If there are other practices better suited for your needs, she will refer you to them. Each therapist has a unique style, set of strengths, and areas of expertise, and availability, and we are hoping to make the right match with the right therapist from intake. The intake coordinator will then set up a 60-minute evaluation for you and the therapist to dive deeper into your needs for therapy and discuss a treatment plan.

It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional challenges and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. With therapy, individuals can address the cause of their distress and the behavior patterns that curb progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness and, in some cases, a combination of medication and therapy may be the right course of action.

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent." If you would like your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team, you must by law, provide written permission. State law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations: • Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources. • If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.

According to the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) , you may obtain from us copies of your records. We take your privacy and the HIPAA law seriously, so we only release records following the strict procedure as follows. We release records only to our clients and do not release records to third parties who might request records on behalf of our clients. You must obtain written consent of all parties for those sessions which involved other individuals. If you wish to request your records, please email a request to our office. To print and mail copies of your records, please provide send a copy of your drivers' license. The mailing address on file should match the mailing address on your driver's license. Note: an additional charge my be required for printing and mailing records.

We are out-of-network providers for insurance companies, which means you will be responsible to provide payment in full. Please reach out to your insurance company for your out-of-network reimbursement policy. For more details, visit the "Insurance and Rates" page.

Visit the Insurance and Rates page for more details on our rates.

We accept all major credit cards, including HSA credit and debit cards, which can be added to your patient portal.

Cancellations are accepted with at least 24 hours notice. To cancel your appointment, please notify your therapist or reach out to the office via email (office@rivkasidorsky.com) or phone. If you do not show up to your appointment or do not notify the office or your therapist at least 24 hours in advance, you will be charged the full amount of the missed session.