FAQ

Where is your office located?

Unfortunately, I had to give it up a while ago to do my part to protect clients and family during the COVID-19 crisis. Therefore, all my sessions until further notice are via Teletherapy, and all sessions are done over ZOOM’s secure HIPPA-compliant video therapy platform.

Teletherapy… What's that and how do I use it?
Teletherapy is therapy via video on a computer or cell phone. I will send you an invitation to join me in session just before the scheduled appointment time and you will click on a link so I can have you join me in my virtual “office.”
Is therapy online as effective as in-person?
Believe it or not, I find that it is even more effective in some ways. Both client and practitioner seem to be more relaxed and able to focus more on the work of therapy. Why that is I’m not sure. But I’ve been a therapist for more than 25 years, and I experience it as being much better in a lot of ways.
Can I use my cell phone for online sessions?
Yes, you can but some cell phones tend to heat up and run out of charge if they are not fully charged prior to our hour session.
What if I live too far or can't make it into the office?
That’s why Teletherapy is perfect for you. I do Individual Therapy with anybody who wishes within New York State because that’s where I am licensed to practice. As a Holistic Coach, I can coach any one in the world because there are no such limitations in Coaching.
What is the age of clients with whom you work?
I work with adults 21 years of age and older. I have worked with 18-21 year-olds who prove to be more mature than that age group and can commit themselves to the discipline of therapy and working on their issues so they can release that which is not healthy or dysfunctional for them.
What hours are you available for appointments?

Monday – 12 Noon – 6:00 PM

Tuesday – 12 Noon – 6:00 PM

Wednesday – 12 Noon – 6:00 PM

Thursday – 12 Noon – 6:00 PM

Friday – 12 Noon – 5:00 PM

What is your hourly fee and forms of payment?

My fee is $175.00 per hour session.

Payments are most commonly made through Venmo. Payments can also be made by Check or Credit Card via PayPal. If you pay by PayPal a $5 extra charge will be added to pay for this service. If you have to pay by check, the check needs to arrive prior to your scheduled session time.

Payment is due in full prior to each session on the day services are rendered.

Do you take Insurance?

I am an “Out of Network” Provider which means that if your insurance policy covers Out of Network therapists, you will be reimbursed up to 70% of my fee depending on your individual insurance policy. Check your coverage carefully by asking the following questions:

Do I have outpatient mental health benefits for out-of-network therapists? What is my deductible and has it been met?

How many sessions per calendar year does my plan cover? How much does my plan cover for an out-of-network provider?

What is the coverage amount per therapy session?

Do you offer a sliding scale?

Yes, I have a sliding scale fee for a percentage of my clientele that qualify. At this time, I have no vacancies for sliding scale clients, but I can put you on a waiting list if you are interested. How long you would have to wait is, on average, 3-6 months.

Do you offer a free consultation?
Yes, you can make an appointment for a free 20-minute phone consultation so you can ask any specific questions about me or the work I do and see if we are a good fit.
Is therapy confidential?

The law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and a psychotherapist. I cannot disclose information without written permission (see “Confidentiality and HIPPA Regs”). However, there are several exceptions to this rule.

Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse – the law requires me to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.

If a client threatens serious bodily harm to another person/s, I must notify the police and inform the intended victim.

If a client intends to harm himself or herself, I will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in ensuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, I will take further measures without their permission to ensure their safety.

Do you have a cancellation policy?
Yes. Please note – if you do not show up for a scheduled appointment or call to cancel at least 24 hours in advance, you will be required to pay the total cost of the session as booked.
Do you have any intake forms to fill out?

Yes, if you’re coming for the first time, please review, complete, and sign (if necessary) the following forms, then email them before your first session. Taking care of this before our visit will make our first session is more productive (and less expensive for you – if you give me this initial information before we start, we won’t have to waste a session or two getting this information).

These forms consist of the following: client intake form; confidentiality & limits thereof; HIPPA regulations; policy and procedures of your treatment plan (issues that you want to work on); consent to release information form (If you would like me to coordinate your care with another provider (i.e., your psychiatrist, endocrinologist, etc.), please complete this form.).

You must read each form in its entirety, download, sign, and return the form via email

Please download the forms, sign them if necessary, and email them back to: dave@acceleratedhealingsolutions.com or mail them to me via snail mail at 112H Nottingham Rd., Bedford Hills, NY 10507.

Please note – We will work on a thorough treatment plan in the future, but it is good to start thinking about some of the issues you want to address.

Why do people seek therapy?

People come into therapy for many reasons – some need to respond to unexpected changes in their lives, while others seek self-exploration and personal growth. When coping skills are overwhelmed by guilt, doubt, anxiety, or despair, therapy can help.

Therapy can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping for anxiety, lack of confidence, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, bereavement, spiritual conflicts, stress management, depression, body image issues, creative blocks, etc.

People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives.

What benefits can I expect from working with a therapist?

Several benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. Often it is helpful to know that someone understands.

Therapy can provide a fresh perspective on a complex problem or point you in the direction of a solution. Many people find therapy a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, and the hassles of daily life.

The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and practice what you learn.

Therapy helps you attain a better understanding of yourself and your personal goals and values and improve your self-esteem and boost your self-confidence

You can learn to develop skills for improving your relationships and discover new ways to solve problems.

Therapy helps you find a resolution to the issues or concerns and find new ways to release stress, worry, anxiety, depression, trauma, anger, etc. Through therapy, you can get “unstuck” from unhealthy patterns – breaking old behaviors and develop new ones.

Working with a therapist can help improve your communications skills, learn how to listen to others, and have others listen to you.

What can I expect in a therapy session?
During sessions, you can expect to talk about the primary concerns and issues in your life. A session lasts 55-60 minutes, but some people request longer sessions. Usually, weekly sessions are best. However, some people in crisis or extreme distress need more than one session per week, at least until the crisis passes.
What will I get out of your therapy?
As the old saying goes, you will get as much out of therapy as you put into it. For therapy to work, you have to do the “work” and commit yourself to the process. You must be an active participant in and outside therapy sessions.
With what age of client do you work?
I work with adults 21 years old and older. Occasionally, I work with someone 18 years old or older depending on their maturity level and willingness to do the “work” of therapy.
How long will therapy take?

Length of therapy will depend on the extent of the problems/issues a client has and how much they want to work on them. Some clients find themselves in crisis for one reason or another and come into therapy until the crisis gets figured out or passes.

Others want to go beyond the crisis and learn more and more about themselves and how they can contribute more to the world. It’s a personal decision on how much they want and when they want to go.

How long will it take to feel better? I don't want to be in therapy forever.

Anybody could feel better after the first session if you connect with your therapist and get a sense of hope that you will receive the help you need. With the “accelerated” methods I use, you can feel better much quicker over the shorter term because my methods help release the root causes of your problems which traditional talk therapy does not and cannot do.

How much you feel better and how much time it will take also depends on the amount and complexity of the issues you bring into therapy. Again, over the short term, the methods I use are much Quicker, Easier, and Much More Effective than traditional talk therapy.

Length of treatment depends on the level of intensity and duration of the disturbing event/events the client initially experienced.

Do you work with other treatment providers?
Yes, I do, especially if you are on medication and/or have a complicated history/diagnosis. All this, of course, would depend on your willingness to sign a Release of Information form to have me do so.
How do I get started? Make an appointment? How do I contact you?
Email me at: dave@acceleratedhealingsolutions.com or call me at: (914) 391-4350 to make an appointment to get started or to make an appointment for a Free 20-minute Consultation to ask for answers or see if we are a good fit.
Can Anxiety & Trauma be successfully treated?

Yes, most definitely! Even though the medical model still believes that “faulty” genes mainly cause anxiety, I beg to differ.

Based on my multiple experiences with clients, traumatic experiences in our childhood can cause anxiety regardless of bad genes. I know this because my clients release their anxiety regularly. After all, I use methods to address anxiety at its roots and the trauma initially caused the problem.

And the same goes for trauma. I use brain-based methods to penetrate the deepest parts of the brain to where the trauma is and release it, thereby releasing the negative thoughts, beliefs, and feelings initially caused by the trauma.

Traditional talk therapy cannot release this trauma because it only affects the brain’s surface layers and cannot penetrate the deeper layers of trauma.

What can I expect in the first session?
The first session is when we will get to know each other better while I take some history of your issues and have a clear idea of what we need to do to get you permanent relief from your problems. I will also talk to you about some of the methods I use and discuss which one(s) the client likes best.
What is your educational background?

I attended the Clinical-Advanced Standing Program of Columbia University’s School of Social Work and received my Master of Social Work degree from Columbia University.

I have received certification and/or training in E.M.D.R., Brainspotting, W.H.E.E. Therapy, Integrated Energy Therapy (a form of E.F.T.), Reiki, Hypnosis, Couples and Family Therapy, Total Biology, Bio-Reprogramming, and many other modalities.

Since 1999, I have maintained a private practice as a psychotherapist and have treated adults with anxiety, worry, fear, phobias, panic, PTSD, depression, anger, pain issues, etc.

If you want to know more details about my professional training, click here. Or give me a call, and I will be happy to provide details.

What is your approach to therapy?

I use Alternative therapeutic methods such as EMDR, Brainspotting, Parts Therapy, WHEE Therapy, Ask and Receive, and other effective release techniques to help people release the disturbing memories that create their negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. These methods are relatively straightforward, quick, and very effective in resolving and removing one’s issues.

Based on professional experience, once disturbing memories and any emotional connections are released, so too are the issue(s) that the client initially had and wanted to address. Therefore, the treatment length depends on the intensity and duration of the disturbing event/events the client initially experienced.

Do you have a specialty?
My specialties are working with alternative methods to release Anxiety, Worry, Fear, Panic, Trauma, Procrastination, Perfectionism, and People Pleasing, especially how these issues interfere with Aspiring Professionals or simply anybody who aspires to release their issues.
How do you work in therapy sessions with your clients?

It’s straightforward. We talk about what issue(s) the client wants to work on, then the client chooses what method they want to use to work on the issue, and then we spend most of the rest of the session working on releasing that issue. These methods are relatively quick, easy, and very effective in resolving and releasing one’s issues.

Length of treatment depends on the level of intensity and duration of the disturbing event/events the client initially experienced.

Do your clients receive homework in between sessions?
You can take home the work that we do in a session and use it to continue to release more of what we addressed in the session. This homework is totally up to the individual. There are no consequences for not continuing the “work” at home, other than taking longer for those issues to resolve and release.
What else do I need to know to make the most out of working with you?

I expect that people who come to my practice are serious about releasing their issues, being on time, actively participating, thinking about issues before and in-between sessions, and are willing to release their issues based on the methods I use.

Who is your perfect client?
The perfect client for me is the one that comes to therapy regularly and does the “work” that is necessary for that client to feel better.
What are you like as a therapist? What are your strengths?

Because of my struggle in my younger years to overcome my childhood issues, I have become a seasoned professional with many years of experience helping different people with very different problems. In addition, I have great empathy, understanding, and compassion for those having problems in their life because of my past. It has also made me a good listener.

My knowledge, years of experience, and expertise working with these more effective methods have benefitted many other people by releasing their pain and discomfort. I will also help you release yours so you can be happier, more confident, and more successful!

And my personal qualities of being grounded, down-to-earth, easy to talk to, trustworthy, committed, and integrous don’t hurt either. I also have a great deal of respect for the client and am sensitive to their individual process.

Do you personally go to counseling or therapy?

In my younger years, I spent 10 years in talk therapy for my anxiety, bouts of depression, and anger/rage but walked out of therapy 10 years later with pretty much the same amount of these issues. This experience motivated me to find other therapies that were more effective in releasing the roots of my problems caused by the trauma in my childhood.

As a result, I found the miraculous therapies and methods I now use to help my clients, such as EMDR, Brainspotting, etc., to help them release their issues.

And I still use these methods when I find that I need to release another “layer of the onion” related to my problems and issues.

What do you like to do?

My wife is my best friend, and we do pretty much everything together. We love nature and take advantage of partaking in it whenever we can.

We enjoy the woods, parks (national or otherwise), being on the water from mountain lakes to the scenes along the ocean, or simply looking at landscapes as we travel or drive around.

We enjoyed going out to eat a lot and will continue that activity again when we feel more comfortable doing so.

And we also share our enjoyment of engaging in activities that help us continue to grow, become more aware, and contribute more to the world.

And, at one time, we enjoyed going to antique shows, tag sales, and the like to look for things that particularly piqued our interest. We ended up with some pretty interesting antiques, including a couple of hundred-year-old items, one being a Victrola record player that still works and another being a Singer Sewing machine that I used to make our bedroom curtains.

Here are some therapy jokes.

How many narcissists does it take to change a lightbulb? Just one. All he has to do is hold it in place while the world revolves around him.

At a job interview for a new receptionist: “I see you used to be employed by a psychotherapist. Why did you leave?”

“Well, I just couldn’t win. If I was late to work, I was hostile; if I was early, I was anxious; and if I was on time, I was obsessional.”

My friend told me that he enrolled in a therapy group for procrastinators. They haven’t conducted the first session yet.

I don’t need therapy. What I need is for these squirrels to stop singing Pink Floyd.

How many Psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb? Only one, but the bulb has got to WANT to change.

Why did Waldo go to therapy? To find himself

Therapy helps… but screaming obscenities is faster and cheaper

Today I will be mindful and live in the moment… unless in the moment is uncomfortable in which case I will eat a cookie.

There are only two times I feel stress… Day and Night.

But I still have more questions…

If you have more questions, please schedule a free 20-minute Consultation by emailing at: dave@acceleratedhealingsolutions.com or calling or texting me at (914) 391-4350.

Thank you, and have a good day!