FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book an appointment for Psychotherapy?

You can contact me HERE . If you reach my voicemail, please leave a message and I will get back to you within two business days. If you contact me by email, please expect to have a brief phone conversation before we schedule an appointment. I offer a free 20-minute consultation to see if we are a good match.

Do you accept my health insurance plan?

I am an in-network psychotherapist with Aetna health insurance plans only. If you have Aetna, please be prepared to provide me with your ID number and date of birth when we speak so that I can call Aetna to verify your coverage. I recommend that you call as well, so that we are both clear on your type of coverage. I also suggest that you inquire as to whether there is a co-payment and how much it is.

Many people I work with have out-of-network coverage, which provides a reimbursement for part of the cost of our sessions. If this is the case for you, I will provide you with a statement at the end of each month which you can submit to your insurance carrier directly for re-reimbursement. Please contact your insurance company for details on the process of submitting claims prior to our first session. I recommend asking the following questions: Do I have out-of-network benefits for behavioral health/psychotherapy with an LCSW? How many sessions are covered per year? How much is the reimbursement? Is there is a deductible? If so, how much is it? How do I access the form(s) needed to submit a request for reimbursement?

What are your fees and payment policies?

Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice will incur a full fee charge. If your insurance covers our sessions, you are responsible for the co-pay, co-insurance, and deductible charges. Due to contract limitations, I am unable to bill insurance if we do not have a session. I offer a sliding scale on my fee for special circumstances.

Some people choose to pay out of pocket for talk therapy because they want to ensure that no personal information is disclosed to a third party—such as a health insurance company. Others choose to meet with me and pay out of pocket regardless of their insurance benefits, as they value the positive therapeutic connection and consider our work an investment in themselves. Some women find real empowerment in this.

What forms of payment do you accept?

I accept Zelle or Venmo as methods of payment, and expect to be paid at the end of each session.

What is your availability?

Mondays through Fridays, 12 noon through 8pm

What is your cancellation policy?
I require 24 hours advance notice, otherwise you will be held responsible for full payment of the session.
How do I know that Psychotherapy will be successful for me?

If you are a woman who is motivated and seeks to understand herself better, and you can imagine the benefits of being your best champion, you can achieve great success in therapy with me. I have assisted many people to resolve their struggles with anxiety, people pleasing and trauma, and move on to live happier and more rewarding lives. My focus as your therapist is on helping you build self-reliance and become empowered.

Download my Free Guide on effective communication skills, “Say What You Mean.”

What My Clients Say

  • Most of my life I lived with a feeling that something was off. I could never tell what it is, but the feeling was always there. I came to Heidi in hopes of "saving" my relationship, and through our work I found something better, I found myself. Before Heidi I was skeptical of therapy, I thought only "crazy" people went there. At first I was nervous and uncomfortable, but Heidi was so gentle, empathetic, and non judgmental that I soon was looking forward to our sessions. She gently guided me on the journey of discovering truth about my childhood and the suppressed feelings that I've been carrying around for decades. With Heidi I discovered psychosomatic therapy (somatic experiences), and consciously experienced parts of myself I didn't know existed. I now know where the feeling of something being off comes from and why it's there. I've become connected to my body and my emotions, I've learned how to be empathetic, non-judgmental, and loving towards myself. Heidi showed me how good it feels to be seen and heard for who I really am.

    ZK

  • It has been difficult for me in the past to open up completely to therapists in the way that I needed to in order to benefit from the service. From day one, Heidi always made me feel comfortable through being genuine, present, warm and non-judgemental. This allowed for me to completely open up, be vulnerable and bring to sessions the topics that I deeply needed to speak about. Heidi is creative and open-minded and she helped me to have to develop a more hopeful and expansive worldview. I always looked forward to our sessions together.

    JG

  • I would not be where I am today without the work I've done with Heidi. This includes navigating a career as an educator, aiming for growth and still maintaining my sanity. It also includes learning about myself, my impulses and strategies to deal with those, as well as learning to set boundaries with those around me. Heidi has helped me not just find my voice, but to clarify it and use it to support my strengths and goals.

    CC

  • I remember I was so nervous to have my first session with Heidi because I did not know what to expect but because she was so patient, kind and understanding she made me feel very comfortable to open up. One of the main things she’s helped me accomplish is to stand up for myself, communicating, and also has helped me to not overthink my decisions. I look forward to our sessions every week because it gives me a chance to talk about the strengths and weaknesses I’ve come across and her guidance has really helped me. Thank you Heidi!

    LZ

  • I started seeing Heidi when I was having trouble at work. I really liked her practice of meeting with you so we could both decide whether we were a good fit for one another. Her warm and welcoming demeanor put me at ease almost at once. Heidi is a great listener, and very thoughtful in her responses. As a result of her guidance and support, I was able to overcome my fears of career growth. Her techniques made it possible for me to succeed in my endeavors to find a new, more suitable position. After 20 years in the workforce, thanks to Heidi, I was finally able to find the right professional environment. Heidi has also helped me grow in my personal life. She has opened my eyes to focusing on what is important to me, and not just accepting things as they are if it is not right for me. I have gone through a few heartaches, and thanks to Heidi, I have been more selective and that has led to a much more fulfilling outcome in terms of relationships, whether it be friends or romance.

    SR

  • Empathy is the truest mark of a psychotherapist, and Heidi's ability to truly listen and care is what makes her such a fantastic therapist. Throughout my time with Heidi I always felt supported. Her understanding and flexibility went a long way towards creating a safe space. I can honestly say much of the progress I have made, the confidence I feel now, is directly because of our time together.

    JB

Get In Touch

Contact me to schedule a free 20-minute consultation.

heidi elias

Call

(646) 828-6300

Email

[email protected]

Address

161 W. 54th Street, #203
New York, NY 10019

Business Hours

Tuesday to Friday: 11AM - 7PM

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