What conditions do you treat?

This clinic specializes in evaluating and treating depressive disorders and cognitive impairment. As depression and cognitive impairment often co-occur with other symptoms such as anxiety and sleep disturbance, I also treat these co-morbid conditions.

What insurances do you accept?

This clinic accepts Aetna, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, MVP, United Healthcare, and “traditional” Medicare (i.e., no Medicare Advantage plans except for those administered by Aetna, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, MVP, and United Healthcare).

What happens if you do not accept my insurance?

Depending on the insurance company, this clinic can submit out-of-network claims directly to your insurance and then charge your credit card for any required copayments or deductibles. Alternatively, this clinic can also accept payments via credit card and can provide an invoice (also known as a superbill) for you to submit to your insurance company for possible partial reimbursement.

How do I schedule an appointment?

The first step is for us to have a conversation during which we will briefly review your current state, medical and psychiatric history, clinic services, insurance status, and options moving forward. If I do not think that my clinic is a good fit for your needs, I am happy to provide you with information about other providers.

Please visit the Contact Page to schedule the free consult.

I already have a therapist. Can I see you for medications?

Yes. I enjoy collaborating with other mental health providers and will gladly work with your therapist to ensure comprehensive and collaborative care. Because of psychotherapy’s value, I often advise people to receive psychotherapy (either with me or from a therapist in the community).

You do not have have a receptionist, how can I reach you?

This is a small clinic with no employees other than the psychiatrist. If you have questions or concerns, please call and, if I do not answer, leave a message. All messages are immediately transcribed and securely transmitted to me. For non-urgent requests, I will respond within 1-2 business days. If you are an established patient, in addition to calling, you can send messages directly to me through the secure patient portal.

Do you collaborate with other providers?

Absolutely! This clinic participates in the the Regional Health Information Organization, which is a secure, electronic health information exchange serving authorized medical providers and over 1.5 million residents in many upstate NY counties. When indicated, I enjoy working with primary care and specialist providers to help ensure safe, comprehensive, and person-centered care. This is important because physical health can impact mental health (and vice versa) and affect the potential benefits and risks of our psychiatric treatments. This coordination of care can also help prevent duplicative and unnecessary lab tests, imaging, and cardiac studies. Therefore, to become a patient of this clinic, consent must be signed that allows me to access your medical records and coordinate care with your other clinical providers.

Do I have to take medications to see you?

No. We will work together to decide if medications would be a helpful part of your treatment plan. For many, psychotherapy can be very effective.

Do you prescribe controlled substances like benzodiazepines?

With few exceptions, I work towards limiting the long-term use of these medications, and prefer to only use medications like Ativan and Klonopin for short-term treatment.

What about communication or completing paperwork in between appointments?

This clinic uses a secure patient portal for communication between appointments. If you have paperwork or forms that require completion, I request that you schedule an appointment in advance of any due date so that we can discuss and review them together.

What if I travel to Florida for several months each year?

I am registered as an out-of-state telehealth provider for Florida (https://flhealthsource.gov/telehealth/), and we can maintain continuity of care with telehealth appointments while you are away.

What if I cannot make my appointment?

I request 48-hour notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment to allow me time to fill your slot. If you provide less than 48 hours’ notice, you will be billed $100 for the missed appointment, unless I am able to fill the slot last-minute.

Can I bring someone to my appointment?

Yes! This can be very helpful, especially at our initial appointment. I enjoy working with and involving family, friends, and caregivers. Involving others can be a great way to strengthen treatment plans. However, I will request that part of our appointment be one-on-one.