How much do you charge and what types of payments do you accept?

Session fees reflect doctoral-level training and are charged per 45–50 minute therapy session. I accept payment via credit or debit card, HSA/FSA cards, and other secure electronic payment methods processed at the time of service. Current rates and details are shared during the consultation call and sent in writing before we begin.

Do you accept insurance?

I am an out-of-network provider and do not bill insurance directly. Many clients use their out-of-network benefits to receive partial reimbursement. If you have out-of-network coverage, I can provide a monthly superbill that you may submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement.

How do I find out if my insurance has out-of-network benefits?

You can call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card and ask whether you have out-of-network benefits for outpatient psychotherapy delivered via telehealth. Helpful questions include: What percentage of the fee is reimbursed? What is my deductible and has any of it been met? Is preauthorization required? How do I submit claims? I can provide sample questions if needed.

How long does therapy take?

Therapy length varies by person and goals. Some clients work with me for a few months around a specific concern, while others prefer longer-term work focused on deeper patterns, identity, and values. We will discuss your goals, check in about progress, and decide together how long to continue.

Where do we meet for therapy?

All sessions are held virtually via secure, HIPAA-compliant video for clients physically located in New York State at the time of each session. You can attend from a private, quiet space that feels comfortable and safe for you.

How often do we meet?

Most clients meet weekly at a consistent time, which supports momentum and deeper work. Occasionally, we may adjust the frequency based on your needs, schedule, and clinical appropriateness, which we will discuss together.

What is the first session like, practically?

In the first full session, we will review what brings you to therapy, your history, and what you hope to change. I will also ask about your current supports, stressors, and any safety concerns. You are welcome to go at your own pace and you do not have to share everything at once. We will also review logistics, answer questions, and discuss whether working together feels like a good fit.

What’s your cancellation policy?

Because I reserve your session time specifically for you, I have a 24-hour (or practice-stated) cancellation policy. Sessions canceled or rescheduled with less notice are typically charged the full fee, except in rare emergencies. The exact policy is outlined in the intake paperwork you receive before we begin.

What if you or I realize that we are not a good fit after several sessions?

Fit is essential for effective therapy. If either of us feels that your needs would be better served elsewhere, we will talk openly about it. When appropriate, I will provide referrals or recommendations to other providers or services that may be a better match for your goals, preferences, or schedule.

How do you handle emergencies or crises?

I am not able to provide 24/7 crisis services. In an emergency or if you are in immediate danger, you should call 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or contact a crisis hotline such as 988. We will review crisis resources and safety planning as needed, and discuss how to reach me between sessions for non-urgent matters.

How do I make the most out of my sessions with you?

Therapy is most effective when you come as you are, share honestly, and stay curious about your patterns. It can help to reflect between sessions, notice where anxiety or perfectionism shows up, and practice small, agreed-upon steps in your daily life. Bringing questions, feedback, and specific examples to session also helps us focus on what matters most to you.

It sounds like we could be a good fit. How do I get started?

The first step is to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation. During this call, you can share what you are looking for, ask questions about my approach, and explore whether working together feels right. If we decide to move forward, we will schedule your first session and I will send intake forms and details about next steps.

Fees & FAQs for Chen Thrive Psychological Services

Fees & FAQS

Most Popular FAQs

The initial appointment is $375. Each 45-minute individual appointment thereafter is $350.
Payments are accepted via major credit cards. HSA and FSA payments are also accepted.
No, I do not take insurance directly. I’m considered both a private pay and “out-of-network” therapist.
If you would like to opt out of insurance altogether to uphold privacy and reduce/eliminate paperwork, you have the option to pay privately.
If you have out-of-network benefits through insurance and would like to use these benefits, I can send you a monthly receipt of services (this is called a “super bill”). You can submit your super bills to your insurance company for reimbursement. Involving insurance would reduce your privacy and introduce administrative burden / paperwork.
You would need to call the Member Services number on the back of your insurance card to ask if you have out-of-network benefits. When you talk to the Member Services agent, ask:
1. Do I have out-of-network benefits for outpatient psychotherapy or mental health services (outpatient office visit or telehealth)? Usually, a PPO provides these types of benefits.
2. What is my deductible, and how much of it have I already met this year?
3. What is my out-of-network coinsurance for outpatient mental health services?
4. Do I need a referral or pre-certification from an in-network provider to see an out-of-network provider?
5. How do I submit claims for reimbursement?
6. What is the rate for reimbursement for the CPT diagnostic code 90834-95 or 90834-GT (i.e., 45-minute individual therapy session provided by teletherapy)?
We’ll meet via teletherapy using a HIPAA-compliant video platform, where we are each located in a private room with reliable internet service. Once we schedule an appointment, I will send you the link to our virtual session.
Because I am licensed in New York, you need to be physically located in New York at the time of our weekly scheduled session.
I require that all clients meet with me on a weekly basis for at least the first several months (e.g., 3-6 months or more) of therapy, depending on treatment goals and symptom severity at baseline.
Weekly therapy, particularly when actively working on longstanding patterns (e.g., perfectionism, people pleasing, burnout, anxious overthinking, guilt around rest and boundaries) at the beginning and middle of the therapeutic process, helps us build a strong therapeutic relationship, maintain momentum, notice patterns in real time, and create enough consistency for meaningful change to actually take hold.
Typically, session frequency is tailored based on treatment goals and symptom severity to help each client progress toward accomplishing the treatment goals that we co-create together.

Additional FAQs

A lot of high-achieving individuals wait to start therapy because they are used to pushing through and handling things on their own. But, the cost of waiting is often dealing with more burnout, more resentment, more overthinking, and more time spent building a life that looks good on paper but does not feel good on the inside. You do not need to hit a breaking point before getting support.
There is no clear-cut or correct answer to this question. It largely depends on your goals and situation. Some individuals find relief and choose to end therapy after 6-8 weekly sessions, while others decide to engage in therapy long term (more than 20 weekly sessions). Often, individuals choose to remain in therapy (after having addressed their initial concerns) to work through additional issues that come up. Whatever your situation, we can work together to help you decide what would best support your needs.
Your first full session is a 45-minute video appointment on a secure telehealth platform. We’ll review key parts of your intake paperwork, go over confidentiality and practice policies, and talk about what’s bringing you in now. I’ll ask questions to better understand your history, current stressors, and goals, and we’ll discuss whether ongoing weekly sessions feel like a good fit. For many clients, this first meeting also helps clarify what they’d like therapy to focus on.
My practice is primarily focused on adults. I may have limited availability for select child, teen, or parent-focused work, depending on fit, scheduling, and current openings.
My practice uses a limited 72-hour cancellation policy to support the consistency and momentum of weekly therapy. Each weekly client typically has 3 free cancellations per calendar year when at least 72 hours’ notice is given. After those 3 cancellations are used, or for cancellations made with less than 72 hours’ notice, the full session fee is charged. (Clients who reduce session frequency to an every-other-week cadence after a period of weekly sessions would have 1 free cancellation per calendar year when at least 72 hours’ notice is given. )
Whenever possible, I encourage same-week rescheduling (based on mutual availability) to help preserve the momentum of therapy and avoid the cancellation fee.
For child/teen patients, please inquire with me separately.
I like to have clients think of the first month or two as a trial period to confirm that our work together feels like a good match based on our initial conversation.
Although the initial consultation is meant to get a sense of whether working together would be the right fit, gauging a therapist-client match doesn’t always happen until after the first several sessions.
If you realize that I am not as good of a fit as you initially thought, please bring this up to me as soon as possible during our session. I am happy to provide you with the contact information to other therapists who may be able to provide you with the support you need.
If I realize that I cannot provide the support that you’d like or need after I have collected additional information during our initial sessions, I will discuss this with you during our upcoming session and provide you with referrals to other therapists who may be able to help you.
I am not a crisis counselor and do not handle emergencies.
If you are in crisis and/or require immediate assistance, please call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Department.
Other crisis/emergency resources include:
- The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call 988 or view their website.
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 or visit the Crisis Text Line website for more information.
- The Trevor Project: Connect with a trained counselor anytime by calling 866-488-7386. Or, text START to 678-678. Visit The Trevor Project’s website to learn more.
- Mobile crisis team: Call 988 and visit The Mobile Crisis Team website
In my experience, individuals who are self-motivated, engaged, growth-oriented, and willing to receive ongoing feedback are those who get the most of their sessions with me. In addition, those who commit to attending regular, ongoing therapy sessions and complete the recommended skill building/practice in between sessions find their experience fulfilling and worthwhile.
Getting started is easy:
1. Reach out to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation by completing the contact form on the website: https://www.chenthrivepsych.com/contact.
2. Meet for the phone consultation, explore whether we’re the right fit to work together, and book a first appointment to create a plan together.
3. Identify what a fulfilling life looks like for you, what your core values are, and learn and practice effective coping skills.