Choosing the Right Therapist
Here are helpful links to help you understand how to choose a therapist and what cognitive behavioral therapy is:
Cost
Cognitive-behavioral therapy tends to be short-term (5-20 sessions), although there are sometimes good reasons to extend treatment. The cost per session in our practice ranges from 200-625 per 45-minute session, depending on who you see. All team members are directly supervised by Dr. Ortiz on ALL of their clients, so you are getting Dr. Ortiz’s expertise no matter who you work with.
Insurance
Dr. Ortiz and his team are out-of-network providers. That means that we do not directly accept payment from insurance companies. However, you may be able to be reimbursed for our services by your insurance company.
If you have out-of-network benefits, we will accept payment when treatment is rendered and we will give you a statement (called a “Superbill”) for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. We am happy to provide whatever information the insurance company requests, but the decision to reimburse is completely theirs.
It is helpful to call your insurance company in advance of your first visit so that you understand your out-of-network benefits. You will want to ask your insurance company the following questions:
Do I have out of network benefits?
Do I have a deductible?
Is there a separate deductible for mental health treatment?
How many sessions per year are covered?
How much does the insurance company reimburse for each session?
Medical professionals communicate to insurance companies about the type of treatments they provide by using what are called "CPT Codes." If your insurance company asks what CPT codes you will be seeking reimbursement for, ask about the following CPT codes: consultation 90791.90 and individual therapy 90834.
Your insurance company may tell you that there is no need to go out of network because their network includes a number of therapists. Unfortunately, most therapists do not use evidence-based (scientifically supported) treatments. This can lead to wasted time and money.
Whether you choose to be seen by me or another mental health provider, you should always ask what scientific evidence there is for a particular approach. If a therapist gives you a vague answer or only says that the approach he/she is proposing, “has worked in his/her experience,” you are unlikely to receive a treatment with solid scientific evidence.
As a full-time university professor, who trains dozens of doctoral students every year, I am constantly learning the most advanced psychological treatments that are available. In fact, as an NIH (National Institutes of Health) funded researcher myself, I help create and test some of these very treatments. If there is not an evidence-based treatment for a particular problem, I will tell you so!
Consumer Protections
It is important that anyone interested in seeing a psychologist work only with a licensed psychologist. The following section is a shortened version of information posted on the website of the New York State Education Department. They are in charge of licensing medical professionals.
What is a psychologist?
A psychologist is a health care professional who diagnoses and treats mental, nervous, emotional, and behavioral disorders and ailments. Psychologists' practices also include industrial/organizational psychology, research, and teaching.
Who may use the terms "psychologist," "psychological," or "psychology" alone or in combination with other words and phrases?
Only a licensed psychologist or a person working in an "exempt setting" may use these titles and terms. Exempt settings include chartered schools, settings operated by the government, and most colleges and universities. Students who are working in settings as part of their authorized doctoral program may have titles such as "psychologist-in-training" or "psychology intern."
What credentials do New York psychologists have?
New York psychologists have earned a doctoral degree in psychology from a program registered or accepted as equivalent by the New York State Education Department. Psychologists with doctoral degrees with the letters Ph.D., Psy.D., and Ed.D. all have met the same educational requirements.
In addition, New York psychologists have completed two years of supervised experience, including one year after the doctoral degree. They have also passed a national licensing exam.
Verifying a New York license:
New York psychologists must display a current New York registration certificate; this certificate lists the professional's name, address, and dates of the registration period. You may verify an individual's license and registration on this site.
Scientifically-Based Treatments
There are a lot of psychological treatments out there. How would a client know if they are receiving a treatment that is supported by science?
Every year, billions of research dollars are spent around the world, developing and improving treatments for psychological problems. It can be very confusing for a consumer to know if the treatment a psychologist suggests is supported by research. At a minimum, a client should ask their therapist what evidence supports a particular approach. Consumers can also do their own research. One good place to start is the website of the Society of Clinical Psychology. They have a comprehensive list of evidence-based treatments for a large number of psychological issues.
Trust
Whether you are seeking treatment for yourself or your child, it is an enormous leap of faith to come forward and trust a stranger with private and difficult feelings and thoughts. Credentials and experience can help prospective clients feel more secure that they are seeing someone who will act in their best interests, but seeking help requires trust. I consider it a privilege to be extended that trust and I want you to know that I work hard every day to live up to that responsibility.
The Evaluation Process
Our first session or two will involve an evaluation of your (or your child’s) needs. By the end of the evaluation, I will be able to offer you some first impressions of what our work will include and a treatment plan to follow, if you decide to continue with therapy. You should evaluate this information along with your own opinions about whether you feel comfortable working with me. At the end of the evaluation, I will notify you if I believe that I am not the right therapist for you and, if so, I will give you referrals to other practitioners whom I believe are better suited to help you.