What are your fees and how do you accept payment?

Fee for Service rate:

• Assessment, couples, and family therapy are $250 per session.
• Individual Sessions are $200.

Do you accept insurance?

Meaningful Emotion Therapy services are often reimbursable by most insurance companies. We work with many insurance companies as “out-of-network” providers, such as Oxford, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United Behavioral Health. If you’d like to use your “out-of-network” benefits, a receipt will be provided to you, which you will then submit to your insurance provider. Please check with your insurance provider to confirm your eligibility for reimbursement. Due to COVID, Dr. Francis is temporarily accepting Cigna, Optum, Oscar Health, Oxford & United Health Care. This will end at the end of June 2021. Please note that Meaningful Emotion DOES NOT accept health insurance for couples therapy as it is not considered a medically necessary care and most insurances do not cover this.

Does my insurance offer out-of network benefits?

Not all plans offer out-of-network benefits, but we encourage you to check with your insurance company for these possible benefits. If your plan does allow you to see a provider out of network, your carrier will typically reimburse for 40-70% of that fee. With any out-of-network provider, it is quite common to have a high deductible, which means your insurance company expects you to pay up to a certain amount for your services before your plan starts to cover some of the costs. We may not be in network with your plan AND we can still help. Email us for more information.

Can I have virtual therapy if I don't live in New York or North Carolina?

Unfortunately, no. Our therapists are licensed in the state of New York and North Carolina and cannot provide services across state lines. You must be physically located in the state of New York or North Carolina at the time of services in order to receive virtual counseling.

Do you offer therapy in person?

No I do not. I strictly offer therapy virtually to residents of New York and North Carolina.

What are the benefits to having teletherapy?

Therapy can be difficult to start because you are trying to fit the 1-hour for session and the 1-2 hours in commute time. Teletherapy allows you to have more time for you because you are only blocking out the time for our session. In addition, it eliminates the need to find a babysitter. You can also be so much more comfortable in your setting.

What can I expect in my first session?

Our first session will include:

1. Going over the informed consent and orientation to services.
2. Information Gathering & Assessment
3. Goal Setting for ongoing treatment

How long do appointments typically last?

Initial Assessment (intake session)- 60 minutes. Individual therapy- 45 minutes. Couples therapy- 50-60 minutes. Family therapy- 50-60 minutes. Dr. Francis offers 75-minute sessions upon request.

What is the time investment for therapy?

Because we believe that weekly therapy sets the framework for deep, impactful therapeutic growth, we ask for a commitment of meeting once per week. If you believe you need a different frequency of appointments, discuss this further with your therapist.

How long will I need therapy?

Therapy is tailored to your specific needs. We will assess your progress incrementally to determine if you can conclude therapy, or to assess what's not working and adjust accordingly. There's no one size fits all for therapy because everyone's life experiences are different and have different impacts. As such, we will end therapy when you feel as though you have made enough progress.

What does confidentiality mean?

​The law protects the relationship between your therapist and yourself. Information cannot be disclosed without your permission, unless:

• Suspected child abuse or depndent adult or elder abuse, for which I am required by law to report to the appropriate authorities immediately.
• If a client is threatening to harm themselves or another, I must inform the police and the intended victim.
• If a client intends to harm themselves, I will make every effort to enlist their cooperation ensuring their safety. If this is not possible, I will take further measures without their permission that are proviced to me by law in order to ensure their safety.

What are your hours?

Meaningful Emotion is open Monday - Thursday and select Saturdays upon request. Appointment availability can vary depending on the therapist. Clients are seen by appointment only. Email us or set up a free phone consultation to determine if our schedule will fit yours.