Here you will find some information on my private practice policies. Details will be discussed in person during the initial consultation.  

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Initial Consultations: I generally spend 2-3 sessions in the initial consultation process. During this time, I might ask you a lot of questions and it is a time to get acquainted with each other to decide if we are a "good match".  At the end of the consultation, I give feedback and recommendations about how I think therapy may or may not be useful, what kind of therapy approaches may be most beneficial, and what the process would look like going forward.  During the consultation period, we will discuss fee and other practice matters as well.  

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Sessions: ​An initial consultation session is 60 minutes for adults and 45 for children/adolescents. Subsequent psychotherapy or consultation sessions are 45 minutes in duration and take place once or twice a week.  For psychoanalysis, sessions are scheduled three times a week.  Sessions are made by appointment only.

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Waiting area: There is a waiting area in the suite that you are welcome to sit in. Please note that the building does not allow anyone to wait in the lobby of the building. 

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Fees: ​We would discuss the fee in our initial meeting.  I reserve a limited number of spots for reduced fee for patients experiencing financial hardships. Currently, these slots are all taken.
 

Cancellation Policy and Rescheduling: If you cancel with at least 48 hours notice, you will not be charged for your scheduled appointment.  If you have not notified me of a cancellation within 48 hours, you will be required to pay the full fee for the session. In either case, I would do my best to reschedule the missed appointment, as our schedule permit. Rescheduled appointments need to take place within one week if you attend once/weekly psychotherapy and within two weeks if you attend more than once/week.  
 

Payment: I will provide you with a statement on a monthly basis. Payment is due upon receipt and can be made by Venmo or Zelle (electronic bank transfer) or cash. If you arrange for payment by Venmo or Zelle (the app) please make sure you have set the privacy setting as "private" and use my email address drhellneroffice@gmail.com (all lower case letters). For adolescent patients, I mail or email the monthly statement to parents and request that payments not be sent via your child. Credit cards may be used but must first be discussed with me. If you have discussed credit card payment with me, click here to make a payment.

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Insurance Reimbursement: I am an "out-of-network provider" which means I do not accept any insurance payments. Patients who have out-of-network benefits, may submit my monthly statements for insurance reimbursement.  The bill I provide includes all the necessary coding to submit to an insurance plan, which must include a mental health diagnosis in order to be reimbursed.  You will need to check with your insurance company to determine if your plan covers my services (most often, you can inquire if CPT code 90834 is covered and what the reimbursement rate is in zip code 10024).   Please note, you will be expected to pay your bill promptly even if you have not yet received your reimbursement.  
 

Phone Calls: I do not charge for brief phone calls.  Phone calls that last more than 20 minutes are pro-rated at the agreed upon session fee  (for patients and parents of patients as well).
 

Email: ​I use email sparingly and only for scheduling purposes or exchanges that are not personal in nature. Please do not write personal details in email. If you are trying to reach me regarding an urgent situation, call me (see below).

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​Emergencies and Urgent Calls: If you are my patient and experience a clinical emergency, it is imperative that you call 911 or go to your local emergency room.  Since I am not available 24 hours, I can not provide emergency services. However, if you are my patient and have an urgent issue that is not an emergency, leave a message on my office voicemail and I will call you back as soon as I am able. I check my messages seven days a week. My last check-in for messages takes place between 9-10pm each night.  If you have called during that hour and I have not returned your call, it means that my last check-in occurred before you called and I will receive and return your message the next day, as soon as I possibly can.

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Vacations: ​I will give you ample notice before I take vacation. During some vacations I may have someone "covering" for me; during others, I may be available by phone for urgent calls.   

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