Frequently Asked Questions & Resources
Your guide to getting started and making the most of your care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)?
A Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) is a licensed healthcare professional trained to provide mental health care to teens, adults, and older adults. PMHNPs assess mental health needs, diagnose conditions, and create personalized treatment plans, which may include therapy, lifestyle strategies, and medication management.
PMHNPs focus on whole-person care, considering your mind, body, and environment, and work closely with patients to support mental health and overall well-being.
What is the best way to contact you?
To maintain patient privacy and clinical focus during sessions, phone calls are not answered in real time. All calls are screened. You may leave a voicemail, and messages will be returned within 72 business hours.
For appointment requests, all new appointments must be submitted through the Request an Appointment link on this website. Appointment requests are not scheduled by phone.
The preferred method of communication for non-urgent matters is through the secure patient portal via SimplePractice or by email.
If you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Appointments are requested through the Request an Appointment form on this website. Once your request is submitted, I personally review it to ensure appropriate clinical fit and will follow up within 48–72 hours.
What happens after I request an appointment?
Once you submit an appointment request, I will review your prescreener and verify insurance eligibility and in-network status if you plan to use insurance. I will then contact you via e-mail regarding next steps and availability.
After your appointment is confirmed and scheduled, you will receive a secure link to complete the required intake paperwork.
My practice is fully paperless. All intake forms — including policies, consents, and screening questionnaires used to assess symptoms and monitor progress — must be completed online at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled appointment time. The paperwork typically takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. You may find it easier to complete the forms by downloading the SimplePractice app.
If intake forms are not completed at least 48 hours before your appointment time, the appointment will be canceled and you will need to reschedule.
What types of conditions do you treat?
I work with teens and adults experiencing a wide range of mental health concerns. Common conditions include depression, anxiety, insomnia, established ADHD, OCD, bipolar disorder, psychosis, and other mood, behavioral, and stress-related conditions.
Please note that I do not provide formal psychological or neuropsychological ADHD testing for academic or workplace accommodations. If you are seeking a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation for documentation purposes, I recommend consulting a licensed psychologist who specializes in formal testing.
Care is personalized, and each treatment plan is tailored to your unique needs, goals, and circumstances.
Do you offer virtual or office visits?
Yes! I offer virtual appointments across New York State, and I also have limited in-person hours at my Glen Head office for those who prefer to be seen in person.
What should I know about my initial evaluation?
Your first appointment is a comprehensive evaluation lasting 60–75 minutes. During this time, we’ll review your mental health history, discuss your current concerns, and talk about any past treatments. Together, we’ll explore your goals and the best options for care, which may include therapy, lifestyle strategies, or medication management.
The goal of this initial visit is to provide a safe, supportive space where you feel heard and to create a personalized plan tailored to your needs.
How often will I need follow-up visits?
Follow-up visits are usually scheduled every 2–4 weeks at the beginning of treatment to closely monitor your response and adjust medications as needed. Once your symptoms are stable, visits may be spaced out to every 1–3 months.
Do you accept insurance?
I currently accept Fidelis, Oxford Health Plans, UnitedHealthcare (UHC), Northwell Direct, Aetna, Optum, Cigna Medicare, and Anthem. I am also in the process of credentialing with additional insurance providers. To confirm whether your plan is accepted, please contact me directly using the Contact Form, and I will provide the most up-to-date information. Self-pay options are also available, and you can visit the Services/Fees page for details:
I don’t have insurance or my insurance isn’t accepted yet—can I still be seen?
Yes! I accept self-pay patients. After your visit, I can provide a superbill or invoice that you can submit to your insurance for partial reimbursement.
What is your approach to benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax, Ativan)?
Benzodiazepines are generally not a first-line treatment, but each patient is evaluated on an individual basis. I carefully consider your symptoms, medical history, and treatment goals to determine if they may be appropriate. If used, benzodiazepines are typically prescribed short-term and monitored closely to ensure safety and effectiveness. My focus is always on finding the safest, most effective approach to support your long-term mental health.
What is your cancellation or no-show policy?
Appointments should be canceled or rescheduled at least 24 hours in advance. This allows time for another patient to use the appointment slot. Missed appointments or late cancellations may incur a fee. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please notify me by e-mail, text or though the secure portal as soon as possible.
Can you send prescriptions to a pharmacy outside of New York State?
Due to state regulations, I am only able to send prescriptions to pharmacies located in New York State. If you live out of state, we can discuss alternative options to ensure you have access to your medications safely and legally.
Do you offer ADHD testing or formal psychological evaluations?
I do not provide formal psychological or neuropsychological testing. If you are seeking comprehensive cognitive or academic testing for documentation or accommodations, I recommend consulting a licensed psychologist or neuropsychologist who specializes in formal evaluations.
However, I do treat patients with established ADHD diagnoses. ADHD screening is incorporated as part of a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, which includes a detailed clinical interview, review of medical and psychiatric history, assessment of current symptoms and level of functioning, and use of validated ADHD screening tools when appropriate.
If, based on this evaluation, ADHD is clinically supported, treatment may be initiated. Medication options — including stimulant and non-stimulant treatments — are considered carefully based on individual history, symptom profile, medical factors, and safety considerations.
If additional testing is needed to clarify the diagnosis or to assess for learning or cognitive concerns, I will refer you to a neuropsychologist or neurologist for formal neuropsychological testing.
Do you help with paperwork, disability, or leave of absence forms?
Assistance with paperwork is provided on a patient-by-patient basis. I complete forms only for patients who have been in my practice for at least six months to ensure an accurate and thorough assessment. Please note that there is a fee for completing paperwork, which will be discussed when you submit your request.
Do you treat patients with substance use disorders?
I can support patients who have co-occurring mental health and mild substance use concerns. For active substance dependence, I provide referrals to specialized addiction providers or programs to ensure you receive the most appropriate care.
What types of therapy or mental health services do you provide?
As a PMHNP, my primary focus is comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and medication management. Appointments may include brief supportive interventions such as psychoeducation, stress management strategies, sleep hygiene guidance, and foundational coping skills as they relate to symptom stabilization.
Ongoing weekly psychotherapy is not provided through this practice. If more intensive or long-term therapy is needed, I will provide a referral to a licensed therapist to ensure coordinated and comprehensive care.
Do you provide emergency or crisis services?
A crisis is any situation where you feel unable to keep yourself or others safe. This may include thoughts of suicide, thoughts of harming others, feeling out of control, or experiencing severe symptoms that require immediate help.
If you are in a crisis, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. You can also call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for immediate support.
Resources
Trusted tools and organizations for your mental health support.
If you are in emotional distress or thinking about suicide, call or text 988 for free, confidential support 24/7.
Helpful Apps for Mental Wellness
Support in your pocket—evidence-based, free tools designed to help you manage stress, track your mood, and build healthier habits.
Insight Timer
Free meditation and relaxation app with thousands of guided sessions and sleep tracks.
Daylio
A private, easy-to-use mood and habit tracker that helps you reflect and recognize patterns.
Smiling Mind
A nonprofit app offering guided mindfulness and meditation programs for kids, teens, and adults.
SAM
Self-help for Anxiety Management (SAM) is a free app with breathing exercises, coping tools, and self-help strategies for anxiety.
MindShift CBT
Free CBT-based app that helps manage worry, panic, and social anxiety with coping tools and exercises.
PTSD Coach
Created by the VA, this app offers education, self-assessments, coping strategies, and crisis resources for PTSD.
Mood Tools
Helps track mood, challenge negative thoughts, and build a safety plan using CBT techniques.
CBT-I Coach
Developed by the VA with Stanford University and the Department of Defense, this app uses CBT-I to improve sleep with tracking, relaxation tools, and education.
Other Supportive Mental Health Resources
Trusted links and resources for managing mental health and well-being
Crisis Support (24/7, Free, Confidential)
New York State HOPEline
Call or text: 988
A 24/7 suicide prevention and crisis support hotline connecting you to trained counselors.
Website: https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/hope-line/
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call: 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Confidential support available 24/7 for anyone in emotional distress.
Website: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
NYC Well
Call: 1-888-NYC-WELL (692-9355) | Text: WELL to 65173
Provides free, confidential mental health support, crisis intervention, and referrals for NYC residents.
Website: https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained volunteer Crisis Counselor anytime.
Website: https://www.crisistextline.org/
State and Local Mental Health Services
New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH)
Access information about state mental health programs, resources, and treatment facilities.
Website: https://omh.ny.gov
NYS Mental Health Clinics and Services Directory
Search by zip code for outpatient and inpatient treatment centers across NY.
Website: https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov
NAMI New York (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
Offers education, support groups, and advocacy for individuals living with mental illness and their families.
Website: https://naminys.org
Specialized Support
Child Mind Institute NYC
Provides evaluation, treatment, and resources for children and teens with mental health challenges.
Website: https://childmind.org
NY State Division of Veterans’ Services
Offers mental health support and benefits for veterans and their families.
Website: https://veterans.ny.gov
NY State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)
Information on treatment programs, support groups, and prevention resources.
Website: https://oasas.ny.gov
Additional Resources
Mental Health America of New York
Programs, advocacy, and support focused on mental wellness and recovery.
Website: https://mhaofnyc.org
The Trevor Project
Crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ youth.
Website: https://www.thetrevorproject.org
Start the Conversation
To learn more or schedule a consultation, click the Contact button below and fill out a secure, confidential form. A response will be provided within 48 to 72 hours.