FAQ

Contact us for current fees.

We accept payment by check, cash and credit cards. Your HSA card may also be used for some of our services.

 Isabella:

I am an out of network provider. What that means is that your medical fees are paid directly to me, and depending on your insurance plan, you may get reimbursed for Medical services by your insurance.

As a courtesy to you, once payment is received, I can file insurance claims electronically for you, if you so choose.

Alternatively, at the end of the month I will give you a Superbill receipt that you may submit to your insurance directly for out of network reimbursement.

Michael:

Per your request, I will give you a monthly written receipt. I will also provide you with a receipt at the time you sign up for a package of a certain amount of sessions.

All fees are paid at the time of service or at the end of the month, depending on what we have agreed together.

Isabella:

Individual Psychotherapy sessions are 45 or 60 minutes.
Family sessions are 60 minutes.
Dance therapy sessions with children are 30 minutes.
Group sessions are 90 minutes.

Michael:

CHIme Technique sessions are 60 minutes each.

When you come in, we decide on a mutually agreed upon and consistent day and time for us to meet. That time is set aside for you.

Late notice cancellations disrupt our schedule, meaning we can’t offer that time to someone else who might need it.  But most importantly, cancellations delay our work together.

We request a 24-hour cancellation notice. We will charge the full session fee when that’s not honored.

I will pick up your call or, when I am unavailable, you will be connected directly to our confidential voice mail system, which will direct you to what information we need.

I will call you back within 24 hrs. of your call.

I see you offer a no charge 20 minutes phone consultation; can you tell me more about it?

We set up a convenient time when you are available to talk. I will ask you some questions about your current situation and what brought you to call us.

You will get a chance to ask me questions. I will make recommendations as to the next steps.

Generally, if your concern is more around anxiety, depression, child or family problems, I will make recommendations that you and I meet.

On the other hand, if your concern is about physical pain, physical illness, body discomfort, we recommend you speak with Michael.

Yes, you have the option of sending us an email and contacting us that way. We will respond within 24 hrs.

In the first two to three sessions, whether in therapy or in CHIme technique sessions, as we get to know you, and you get to know us and how we work, we will assess together what kind of sessions would work best for you.

If we believe you or your child/teen would do best with another provider, we will make every effort to provide an appropriate referral.

In Eastern medicine Chi is the vital energy that flows through each organ and system of the body. “m” is about the movement of this energy and “e” is the essence which goes to the heart of who you are.

It is a Technique that combines CHI movement and essence with dialogue as an expression of where you are in your body, how your body feels and interacts with the environment.

Sometimes you may feel weak or ill, strong or revitalized. The symptoms of the body are often dramatically reflected in the words we use, our linguistic expressions or more specifically what I call SomaLinquistic Interactions.

CHIme Technique is used to identity and work with symptoms that begin to manifest themselves on a body level which in turn affects the mental state.

Each session begins with dialogue to assess where you are in the moment. It is then followed by meditation, to build context and awareness to this present state, and then movement, breathing, and dialogue to open the pathways to healing and recovery.

How do I know whether I am better suited for CHIme Technique, Psychotherapy or Dance/Movement Therapy?

CHIme Technique starts with pain, incapacity or other symptoms you may be experiencing relating to injury, trauma, a chronic illness or physical discomfort.

It works toward energizing the body to act as both a defense and cure against ailments, as well as a growth mechanism toward accomplishing your goals by working with your belief systems and constructing clear intentions.

Psychotherapy addresses your anxiety and your “mental” worries and concerns through talk therapy first.

Dance/Movement Therapy is an option when together we decide you would benefit from a creative-arts medium, a group experience. It is also appropriate for your child on the Autism Spectrum.

Teens on the Spectrum, or who experience gender/identity issues, body dysmorphia, as well as general discomfort about their bodies, benefit from CHIme Technique sessions.

Young adults who experience rapid and strong buildup of emotions, such as anger and frustration, on a physical level, also benefit from CHIme technique.

What if we decide I would do best with both therapy and CHIme Technique sessions?

That’s a good question!

It will be determined by your own individual psychological, emotional and physical concerns. If we decide to do so, please know that your treatment in each modality is kept private and confidential.

Michael and Isabella will not discuss with each other what you are working on individually with them.

Psychotherapy and CHIme Technique are both effective and separate methods of addressing your discomfort, and they can work well together. They are complementary but work with you on different levels.

If a need arises where Isabella and Michael feel collaboration is necessary to further your wellbeing, we would explore that with you, your level of comfort about that, and ask for your written consent.

In our experience that is often not necessary. The different ways of working can be kept separate and still achieve the results you are hoping for.

Michael and Isabella are here to maintain a safe space for you. And you have a say in that. Empathy, consideration and respect of where you are in your process is basic to how we work.

Isabella:

Yes, that’s a good option, if you are unable to make it to the office because of physical issues, considerable distance and/or a stressful life adjustment that keeps you at home.

Sometimes, people choose online sessions when they travel and don’t want to stop the continuity of their sessions.

If you reside in Maryland, I am licensed to provide Psychotherapy services for you, but since currently my office is in Manhattan, if you want to work with me, we would need to meet online.