Frequently Asked Questions
It sounds like you really understand me and the issues I'm dealing with. How do we get started?
The first thing to do is to is schedule a free 30-minute phone consultation. On our call, we'll talk about what your current challenges are and what you most feel you need help with. This call gives us both the opportunity to get to know each other - and see if we'd be a good fit to work together. If you are reading this and you are a parent, my initial consultation is usually with the parent - and from there, we can talk about the best way to move forward with helping your teen or young adult. Schedule your consultation here, or you can fill in my contact form and I will get back to you.
How do you work?
Our approach is always customized to fit your needs. After our free initial call, most client work begins with a comprehensive initial session in your home. Together, we'll come up with a plan for our work together going forward. For most clients, this ends up being a weekly or bi-weekly session, either in your home or over videoconference, over the course of a semester.
Where do sessions take place?
Sessions take place either in your home in New York City & Westchester County, NY or over videoconferencing.
How long are sessions?
Initial sessions are generally 90 minutes. Subsequent sessions are one hour each.
What is your cancellation policy?
We have a 24-hour cancellation policy. All appointments not canceled more than 24 hours in advance are payable in full.
What age ranges do you work with?
I currently specialize in middle school, high school, and college students (and their families).
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What is coaching?...Is it the same as therapy?
Coaching is not psychotherapy. Therapists have many different approaches, but in general, psychotherapists are different from coaches in that they are licensed to treat co-existing conditions (such as mood disorders or anxiety), they are often more likely to work on understanding the past roots of current issues, and they tend to focus more on underlying themes than the day-to-day of managing life and schoolwork. As your coach, I get into the nitty gritty - and help you develop the structure and skills you need to take control of your planning, organization, and time management. We may also touch on some of the deeper feelings (of guilt, shame, or low self-esteem) that can come up around the work we do, and you may find it helpful to process those feelings with a therapist as well. If you already have a therapist, I am happy to coordinate with them - and if you think you need one, I have a list of great professionals to refer you to.
The struggles you talk about sound familiar, but I don't know (or I don't think) that I have ADHD. Can you still help me?
Absolutely! Many families I work with do not have a diagnosis of any kind - and for some, the very idea of it is laden with lots of beliefs and opinions about what it might mean. For others, having a way to understand what they have been experiencing has come as a relief. The good thing about the strategies I use is that they work whether you have a diagnosis or not - so we can get started, and get you help, right away. Should you wish to revisit the idea of a diagnosis at a later date, I'm happy to talk more with you about what a diagnosis would mean, or refer you to a professional who is qualified to make one.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ADHD?
Symptoms of ADHD are divided into two groups: inattentive behaviors and hyperactive and impulsive behaviors.
Inattentive symptoms of ADHD:
Makes careless mistakes
Is easily distracted
Doesn’t seem to be listening when spoken to directly
Has difficulty following instructions
Has trouble organizing
Avoids or dislikes sustained effort
Is forgetful, always losing things
Hyperactive or impulsive symptoms of ADHD:
Fidgeting or squirming, trouble staying in one place or waiting his turn
Excessive running and climbing
Trouble playing quietly
Extreme impatience
Always seems to be “on the go” or “driven by a motor”
Excessive talking or interrupting, blurting out answers
Some people exhibit only the first group ADHD of symptoms, and some exhibit only the latter.
I do think I have ADHD, but I don't have a diagnosis. Can you diagnose me?
I am happy to share and discuss the symptoms of ADHD with you, but only licensed clinicians (neuropsychologists, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and licensed mental health counselors) can make a diagnosis.
Are you a doctor? Do you prescribe medication?
Only licensed psychiatrists, physicians, and nurse practitioners can prescribe medication. If you would like to work with one to find the right medication for your ADHD, I am happy to make a referral.