FAQs
Do I have to [actually] live in NY or DC?
Yes! I am currently only licensed to work with folx who reside in the State of New York or District of Columbia. If you have a residential address in either location, that works! This includes but is not limited to:
transient housing (e.g. halfway home, shelters, couch surfing with friends/relatives while in therapy)
living in either location for a period of time for work, school, etc.
permanent residence (e.g. apartment, condo, house)
Do you take insurance?
No. I encourage you to check your insurance plan for your out of network (OON) mental health deductible.
Because that has always been confusing to me, that means if it says “your deductible is $2000, then 50%” that means you need to spend $2000 in OON expenses before they cover 50% of whatever other OON expenses you have that year. Definitely check if you’ve already made any OON purchases (e.g. medicine, medical equipment), since that generally counts.
Do you offer sliding scale?
*No. My current individual client rates for 45-min sessions are $150 for DC clients and $125 for NY clients.
*Ways I encourage folx to manage financial barriers include checking their insurance plans (see above) or applying for mental health funds you are eligible for, such as NQTTCN and the Loveland Foundation.
Follow my IG @thegaysiantherapist for updates on short term, small virtual groups based on my specialities such as intergenerational trauma and gender dysphoria.
Are you LGBTQ+ and TGNC affirming?
Yes! As an openly queer nonbinary person of color, I bring my lived experience and my formal training as a therapist in LGBTQ+ issues to the space.
I also write letters for gender affirming surgeries and related support services, however you must:
Be an active client for at least 8 sessions
Meet the DSM 5 criteria for Gender Dysphoria 302.85 or ICD-10 Gender Identity Disorder in Adolescence and Adulthood
Followed the WPATH Standards of Care, demonstrating a healthy, consistent capacity to manage your existing care plan and be compliant with all maintenance requirements
Do you write letters for emotional support animals (ESAs)?
Yes and, just to clarify, ESAs do not have the same protections as licensed Service Animals. There is no official licensing for ESAs. As my client, you must:
Be an active client for at least 8 sessions
Have a diagnosis that affirms the significant positive impact of an ESA for work, school, travel, etc.
Have the capacity to house and care for an ESA in your residence
Will we meet in person?
No. All sessions will be via telehealth through a HIPAA-certified platform called doxy.me or, if you prefer, via phone call.
What if I want to stop working with you?
That’s okay! I am to make space in our therapeutic relationship for mutual feedback on our progress. If you feel the need to connect with another person or your healing journey is calling for a different approach, I’m happy to support you in navigating those next steps and closing our relationship with intention.