Blair A. Casdin, LCSW-R

What happens at the first session?

The first session is a consultation. I gather information, get to know you, and you get a sense of me before making a commitment.
‍
I prefer to have you tell me your story without too much interference, though I will ask you questions about yourself, what brings you in for therapy, your family history, your expectations, and past experiences in therapy.
‍
After the consultation, I will give you my impressions and together we can decide on a path forward. If we decide not to continue, I can provide you with appropriate referrals.

Are you meeting in-person?

Yes! I see patients in-person in my office on the Upper West Side. I also offer telehealth and phone sessions, but I strongly encourage you to come see me in person. Some people do a combination of in-person and telehealth/phone sessions. We can discuss these options during our consultation.

Who do you work with?

Each person’s story is engaging to me, and I am fortunate to work with people from diverse ethnic, racial and socio-economic backgrounds and with various gender and sexual orientations. The breadth of my experience and training enables me to help people with a broad range of mental health issues.

I have never seen a therapist. How do I prepare?

There is no “right way” to engage in psychotherapy. In therapy, all thoughts and feelings are welcome. An open mind, curiosity about yourself, and a willingness to say what’s on your mind will help. While some feel the need to prepare for sessions by having something to talk about, this is not necessary. Often the most powerful moments in therapy come unplanned. I encourage you to let me know any thoughts or feelings you may be having, even if they feel uncomfortable.

What is your fee?

My fee is $300 for individuals and $350 for couples. For people with out-of-network insurance coverage, see below. If you do not have insurance coverage, let me know and we can discuss payment options.

Is therapy covered by insurance?

I am an “out-of-network” provider. Call your insurance company to find out if you are covered for “out-of-network behavioral health benefits.” You may be eligible for reimbursement of up to 70-80%. At the end of each month, I will provide you with an invoice for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.

What should I ask my insurance company when I call?

In addition to asking if you have “out-of-network” benefits, determine your deductible, how much has already been met, and when the deductible renews. You will be responsible for payment in full until you have met your deductible. In addition, inquire about the percentage of the bill that will be covered.
‍
Covid-19 Pandemic: make sure your insurance plan covers teletherapy sessions (the code for teletherapy sessions is 90834.95 for individuals and 90847.95 for couples).

Do you have a sliding scale?

I have a limited number of appointments available for people who cannot afford my full fee. Please discuss your situation with me during our initial phone conversation. I can also recommend psychoanalytic institutes which offer very low-fee therapy with skilled therapists in advanced training.

What is your cancellation policy?

Once we agree to work together, we will decide on a regular, weekly time which will be reserved for you. Please give me ample notice if you need to reschedule. I will try my best to make accomodations for rescheduling your appointment, but I can not guarantee that I will be able to meet your request. For those occasions where we are unable to find another time, I allow for two (2) missed sessions per calendar year. After two missed sessions, you will be billed in full for cancelled appointments.

How often should I come to sessions? How long are the sessions?

Most people come to therapy one or two times per week. Individual sessions are 45 minutes long while couples sessions are 60 minutes. People often ask if they can come every other week or once per month. In my experience, you feel the benefits of therapy only if you commit to regular, weekly sessions.

Do I have to talk about my childhood?

You do not have to talk about anything in particular, your childhood included. That said, I strongly believe that we are all shaped by our childhoods and the environments in which we have grown up. Part of our work will be to identify old patterns that may be repeating, often without conscious awareness, that continue to get in your way. Those patterns may date back to your formative years.

Do I have to lay on the couch for psychoanalytic treatment?

Psychotherapy and psychoanalysis are not defined by extrinsic factors such as whether you sit up or lay down, or the number of sessions per week. It is totally up to you. People who choose to lay down on a couch typically do so because it enhances their sense of safety and promotes a freedom to talk.

Is it ok to email or text you?

For issues around scheduling, you may email, text, or leave a voicemail. For confidentiality and privacy purposes, clinical issues should be brought up only in session.

Can I follow you on social media?

I prefer to keep our relationship professional, that is, between therapist and client. You may ask me about anything when we are in person and can discuss it together.

Can I give your name to a friend, colleague, or family member who is looking for a therapist?

While I welcome your referrals, my relationship with you is primary, and so I do not accept referrals of family members or close friends. I am open to a referral of an acquaintance or a colleague, but only after we discuss it together to be sure there are no conflicts of interest and that it would not interfere in any way in your treatment.

Do you prescribe medications?

While I have extensive knowledge about medications, only a psychiatrist, medical doctor, or nurse practitioner can prescribe. I work in tandem with several talented psychiatrists and np’s, and am happy to refer you for an evaluation to see if medications are appropriate.

How do I know when it’s time to stop?

Our relationship is collaborative, and decisions about how often to meet or when to end are all part of the process of therapy and will be explored together.

Warehouse

Greetings, Exalted One. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight and friend to Captain Solo. I know that you are powerful, mighty Jabba, and that your anger with Solo must be equally powerful. I seek an audience with Your Greatness to bargain for Solo's life. With your wisdom, I'm sure that we can work out an arrangement which will be mutually beneficial and enable us to avoid any unpleasant confrontation.

Retail