Harbor Counseling – Frequently Asked Questions
You may do this in two ways. You may contact me and make an appointment online or you may also call me at (914) 768-9114.
Yes, I provide sessions via Zoom, WebEx, Facetime, or Skype as well as phone sessions.
Yes, I am back in the office and seeing clients provided they have been vaccinated for Covid-19. Proof of vaccination is required.
The physical address for Harbor Counseling is 522 N State Rd #201, Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510. The office is located in central Westchester County and easily accessible from the Taconic State and Saw Mill Parkways.
The office is on the second floor and the entrance is in the front of the building.
Yes, Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts is down the street. Briarcliff Manor town center is also nearby with various shops and services.
I require proof of vaccination for all clients and do not require clients to wear a face mask during the appointments. I have a HEPA Air Purifier appliance operating in the office and have face masks and hand sanitizer available as well.
Generally, I see clients from Mondays to Friday between 10 AM to 8 PM. I make Saturday morning available for client appointments and for appointments that were canceled due to sickness, weather or when crises arise.
Yes, the building has a parking lot with plenty of available parking at no cost.
Couples Therapy – Frequently Asked Questions
In couples therapy, the therapist helps the individual partners to evaluate their relationship as well as to look at their individual contributions to conflicts within the relationship. Couples learn the art of negotiation as well as learn to develop creative solutions to ongoing problems. The therapist teaches new concepts that will assist you in collaborating around disagreements allowing you to improve the quality of your relationship.
The therapist will teach you how to identify a low-level fighting process and how to avoid escalating an argument, so it does not get out of hand. There is great focus on learning how the process of how you treat each other is often more important than the content of what you are quarreling about.
It starts off with a free interview during which I will explain the process of couples work. Initially, I work with each person individually for several months eventually working up to doing couples sessions. From there, individual and couples session will occur as needed. A successful model has been where both partners continue with individual sessions and meet once or twice a month for couples.
Couples therapy is necessary when there are difficulties between you two that you are not able to resolve on your own.
Frequent discussions, some episode that has left a trace of disappointment or distrust, communication problems… the reasons are very varied.
But broadly speaking, couples therapy is the best way to take care of your relationship when you run into some obstacle that you cannot overcome.
Problems with couples span a wide variety of issues. Infidelity is a common one, but I am seeing more couples over the past few years come in where the relationship is simply not aligned or as well connected as in years past, where couples may be growing apart. COVID has certainly led to couples reevaluating their relationship, and since we are now out and about again, this is certainly the time to address the issues that have come to the forefront.
Other common problems: frequent arguments, communication problems, sexual problems, jealousy, lack of respect, spending too much time working, etc.
Yes. I will meet with you individually to understand your feelings and help you sort through your options. During these initial meetings I will be focusing mostly on gathering information and coming to understand your situation. After these initial sessions, we will work together to explore your options and formulate a concrete plan for how to make things better.
No. I find that the best way to help partners improve their relationships is through a combination of individual and couples sessions. Individually, I will help you and your partner focus on the changes that you each need to make. During couples sessions, I will assist you in putting these changes into practice.
The process will vary depending upon the needs or your situation. Some come for just a few sessions while others feel that they continue to benefit from continuing work.
Research has shown that the longer a couple postpones couples therapy, the more difficult and time consuming it is to arrive at a successful resolution / outcome.
If you are concerned about something in your relationship, the sooner you ask for help the easier it will be to resolve it and the fewer sessions you will need.
Your first free informative visit is just to assess whether or not it is a good time to ask for help.
For couples who are motivated to make a change, therapy will allow you to learn many things. These are some examples:
- Learn how to better negotiate and collaborate so that you both “win” rather than both “lose”
- Improve the ability to communicate with each other, without losing your temper
- Become more aware of parent/child relationships that negatively impact your happiness as a couple
- Learn how to identify a low-level fighting process
- Learn new concepts and tools to assist you in learning how to have productive disagreements
- Talk about difficult issues rather than sweeping them under the rug
- Become aware of the process that you use (tone of voice, etc.) when communicating with each other
- Be more respect worthy towards each other, no matter which direction the relationship moves forward in
And many more things that will not only have a positive impact on your relationship with your partner but will also help you in the other personal relationships you establish at home and away from home.
Yes. Harbor Counseling is LGBTQ+ friendly, and I am here to support all couples.
Individual Therapy – Frequently Asked Questions
Meeting with the therapist before beginning therapy is extremely important for the client. You’ll want to see if you feel comfortable with the therapist’s style, get a sense of their background and experience, and evaluate whether you’d feel safe and respected by them. During the consultation you can ask the therapist any questions or address any concerns that you may have.
When life events or your mental health is impacting your happiness and the quality of your life, it’s a good time to start looking for a therapist.
People come to see me when they are:
- Struggling with personal issues such as anxiety, depression, stress
- Having issues with relationships at home, with family & friends, or at work
- Impacted by various life events such as grief and loss
The earlier you see a therapist to address issues affecting you and the quality of your life, the faster you can learn new behaviors & techniques, and get back to enjoying and being happier in your life.
This first session is an in-depth consultation, where I go into more detail about what led you to therapy as wells as exploring your background and history. We also will talk about your goals for our work together, and you can ask me any questions you may have about the therapy process or what it’s like working with me.
Prior to your first session, I will send you some documents that you will fill out with some general information. Any paperwork that you were required to fill out will also be reviewed and discussed during the initial session.
Yes. Confidentiality between a client and a therapist is one of the most important aspects of therapy. The law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and a mental health provider. However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:
- Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
- If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police and the person being threatened.
- If a client intends to harm himself or herself the therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.
Practicing psychologists use an assortment of evidence-based treatments to help people improve their lives. There are many different styles of therapy, but the therapist will choose the type that best addresses the person’s problem and best fits the patient’s characteristics and preferences. For an overview of the main styles of therapy that I use, you can visit my “Therapy Approaches” web page. (mark, place hyperlink where appropriate here)
For some conditions, therapy and medication are a treatment combination that works best. For people who benefit from medication, therapists work with primary care physicians, and/or psychiatrists on their overall treatment.
That depends on your reason for therapy, and your level of discomfort. Most clients are seen every week in the beginning, and as treatment progresses, less frequently over time. Some clients come several times a week in the beginning to lay groundwork, or when in crisis. We want you to come as often or as rarely as best suits your situation.
Meeting with the therapist before beginning therapy for a consultation or interview is extremely important. Know that you are in the driver’s seat – you are allowed to consider different therapists and counselors to find a good fit for you. Be sure to choose someone who you feel safe and comfortable with – since you’ll be sharing deep parts of yourself with this person, you’ll want to feel respected and understood by them. Get a sense of their background and experience and have them explain how they approach helping their clients. Does this sound like an approach you’re comfortable with? Ask any questions you have and be upfront about your concerns. Most importantly, trust your gut; if you’re not comfortable, it’s okay to continue the interviewing process.
• Greater self-esteem
• Improved interpersonal relationships
• Alleviation of depression and anxiety
• More positive, hopeful thinking
• Greater intimacy
• Less stress
• Balance between work and personal life
• Greater ability to cope with life’s problems
• Connectedness
• The ability to communicate effectively with others
About Carol – Frequently Asked Questions
Individual sessions are $125 for a 50-minute session. Couples counseling sessions are $150 for an 80-minute session.
Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Venmo, PayPal, Cash and Check are all acceptable forms of payment.
Generally, I see clients from Mondays to Friday between 10 AM to 8 PM. I make Saturday morning available for client appointments and for appointments that were canceled due to sickness, weather or when crises arise.
You may do this in two ways. You may go to this link and fill out a form for me to contact you or you may also call me at (914) 768-9114.
Yes, I offer a free interview. Meeting with the therapist before beginning therapy is extremely important for the client. You’ll want to see if you feel comfortable with the therapist’s style, get a sense of their background and experience, and evaluate whether you’d feel safe and respected by them. During the consultation you can ask the therapist any questions or address any concerns that you may have.
While I am back in the office, I will continue to provide sessions via Zoom, WebEx, Facetime, or Skype as well as phone sessions.
I understand that things come up, so you can cancel or reschedule your appointment with at least 24 hours’ notice. If it’s less than 24 hours’ notice, you will be charged for the appointment.
I require proof of vaccination for all clients and do not require clients to wear a face mask during the appointments. I have a HEPA Air Purifier appliance operating in the office and have face masks and hand sanitizer available as well.
No, I do not. However, if you have an insurance plan that provides “Out of Network” benefits, I can provide you with a receipt that you can submit to your insurance company.
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New York State
• Master of Social Work degree from Fordham University
• Master of Teaching degree from Manhattanville College
• Continuation of advanced, post-graduate training in Psychotherapy
• Member of the National Association of Social Workers
• Membership with the IOCDF