The Getting Started Questions
No. You can contact us directly. Some insurance plans may require a referral from your primary care provider, so it’s worth checking with your insurance company before your first appointment, but you don’t need one from us to get started.
When you reach out, we’ll ask you a bit about what you’re dealing with and what you’re looking for in a therapist. From there we’ll connect you with someone on our team whose experience and approach align with what you need. If the fit doesn’t feel right after the first couple of sessions, we’ll help you find someone who does.
The first session is mostly about getting to know each other. Your therapist will ask about what brought you in and what you’re hoping to get out of the work. You don’t need to have a speech prepared and if you’re unsure that’s ok too. Most people are nervous and that’s completely normal. The goal is for you to leave feeling like you were heard and that this might be a good fit.
If you’re asking the question, that’s usually a good sign. Most people who come to us have been thinking about it for a while before they pick up the phone. You don’t need to be in crisis to start therapy. You just need to feel like something isn’t working the way you want it to and be willing to explore why.
The Practical Stuff Questions
We ask for at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Late cancellations and missed sessions are subject to a fee. We understand that life happens, and we’re always happy to discuss individual circumstances.
Yes. We know that getting to therapy during a traditional workday isn’t realistic for everyone, so we offer evening appointments and limited weekend availability. When you reach out, let us know what times work best for you and we’ll do our best to match you with a therapist who has openings that fit.
Sessions are typically 45 to 60 minutes. Most clients come weekly, especially at the beginning when we’re building the foundation for the work. As things progress, we’ll talk together about what frequency makes the most sense for you.
Yes. We offer both in-person sessions at our Long Beach office and telehealth sessions for anyone located in New York State. Some clients do a combination of both depending on what works for their schedule.
If you have out-of-network benefits, we can work with you to help you utilize whatever coverage your plan offers. For clients without insurance, sessions are paid out of pocket. Contact us for current rates and we’ll walk you through your options so you know exactly what to expect before your first appointment.
We accept most major insurance plans. Because coverage changes frequently, the best way to confirm that your specific plan is accepted is to call us or fill out our contact form and we’ll verify your benefits before your first session.
About the Work Questions
That’s one of the most common things we hear. A lot of people come to us after experiences with therapy that felt too surface-level, where they talked about their week for 45 minutes and left feeling no different. Our approach works differently because we’re not focused on managing symptoms in isolation. We’re looking at the patterns underneath and helping you understand why things keep playing out the way they do. That deeper understanding is what makes the change stick.
Yes. Everything you share in session is confidential and protected by law. There are a very small number of exceptions required by New York State, such as imminent risk of harm to yourself or someone else, or suspected abuse of a child or vulnerable adult. Your therapist will go over these with you in detail during your first session so there are no surprises.
Yes, and many of our clients do exactly this. Your couples therapist and your individual therapist will be different people, and confidentiality is maintained between the two. Having both at the same practice can be helpful because our team understands the clinical framework we work.
We see clients across the lifespan, from children as young as six through adolescents, adults, and older adults. Our therapists have experience working with the issues that come up at every stage of life.
No. Our team consists of therapists, not psychiatrists. If medication might be helpful for you, we can refer you to a trusted prescriber and coordinate care with them so that your treatment works together rather than in separate tracks.
There’s no standard timeline. Some people come for a few months to work through something specific and others stay longer because the work opens up areas they didn’t expect to explore. We won’t keep you in therapy longer than you need to be, and we’ll check in regularly about how things are going and what you want to focus on.
Our clinical work is rooted in psychodynamic and relational approaches, which means we go beyond surface-level coping strategies to understand the patterns underneath. We’re interested in why things keep showing up in your life the way they do, not just how to manage them when they arrive. The work can be challenging but the changes tend to last because they come from a deeper understanding of yourself.
If there’s something we haven’t covered here, reach out to us by phone or through our contact form and someone from our team will get back to you.
We’re happy to answer any questions you have.
You’ve Been Treading Water For Too Long
Good News: We’re At The Beach.
Reach Out
Call us 516-123-4568, email hello@centeredbythesea.com, or fill out the contact form and tell us what’s going on.
Find Your Fit
We’ll check your insurance and match you with the right therapist for what you need.
Start the Work
Meet your therapist in person at our Long Beach office or online from wherever you are.