Counseling services for individuals in New York State. Offering in-person and online sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do people go to therapy?

People go to therapy to get help for many different things - a mental health diagnosis (anxiety, depression, etc.), troubling feelings or thoughts, past trauma, relationship problems, grief, and self-growth/development are some of the common reasons. Therapy is a space that is held just for you. It is a space where you will be fully listened to and respected, in a compassionate, caring, and trusting atmosphere. Therapists are not a friend or a family member - we are professionals who have been trained, and have experience, helping people heal. This means that you can expect to be treated with full confidentially and the help you receive will meet your specific needs. Therapists offer expertise that isn't available from just anyone. Many therapists are in therapy themselves, to both deal with our own issues and to make sure we don't bring our own "stuff" into therapy sessions with our clients.

How do I know if therapy is right for me?

If you are feeling stuck and not sure how to deal with feelings, thoughts, behaviors, etc., that are troublesome to you, giving therapy a try is a good idea. If you find your life is not really going the way you want, or you have a general feeling of disconnect or dissatisfaction, giving therapy a try is a good idea. If you don't want to talk to friends or family about some of the things you are dealing with, if you want to talk to someone who is going to be impartial, confidential, and non-judgmental, giving therapy a try is a good idea.

What will we discuss in therapy?

You are in charge of how you want to spend our time together. Every person’s situation is different, so sessions reflect what you need during that time. Because I use the Internal Family Systems model, we often follow what comes up in each session - and go where that takes us.

How long will therapy take?

This is different for every person. The overall length of therapy will depend on things such as how long your issues have been around, how complex they are, your level of commitment to attending sessions regularly and doing work between sessions, etc. It can also depend on how often we meet. I recommend clients start out meeting with me weekly or biweekly, then as therapy progresses we can decide if a longer time interval between sessions makes sense (e.g., every other week or monthly).

Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?

Yes, it does! There are a couple of exceptions to this rule, however. If you tell me something that makes me think you are a danger to yourself or others, I am legally and ethically obligated to talk to someone about that. Who I talk to depends on what you are telling me, and as part of the session we would talk about that. Another instance that I would have to divulge what is said in a session would be if I were issued a subpoena for a court hearing. And, finally, if I'm working with a minor, the parents or legal guardians have access to client records.

What if I don't want to talk about something?

It is totally within your control to decide if you want to tell me something or not. It may take time for you to feel enough trust in our relationship to share certain painful, shameful, intimate, or otherwise difficult events or memories. The more you are able to talk about the hard stuff, the better you will be able to learn to heal from it, but it is up to you when, if, and how you talk about it.

Will you think I'm 'crazy'?

I won't think you're ‘crazy’! I have struggled with my own mental health and I know I’m not ‘crazy’. We all have different experiences in our lives and we all adapt to our circumstances in different ways. Our thoughts do not define us.

What are your fees?

I charge $140* per session, payable at the time of service. I am not on any insurance panels, so I encourage you to contact your insurance company to see what mental health coverage you have in your policy. I will provide you what is called a "superbill", suitable for submitting to your insurance provider. They will reimburse you directly, to the extent of your coverage.

*I do offer a limited sliding scale, and I participate in Open Path Collective, an organization for people without insurance coverage. Through them, I provide some slots for a reduced fee ($80). Go to their website, or call/email me, for more information on how/if that would work for you.

What if I cannot make it to a session - what is your cancellation policy?

If you cannot make it to a session, please cancel at least 24 hours ahead to avoid having to pay for the session. If there is a legitimate emergency, the session fee will be waived the first time, and at my discretion if it happens more than once. I also offer online counseling, so if you cannot make it to the session physically, we can meet via the internet.

When can we have sessions?

I work part-time. I primarily schedule sessions Monday through Thursday between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

What's the next step in getting started?

When you are ready, or if you need more information, call, text, or email for a free consultation.

How can I reach you?

I can be reached via text or phone at 607-437-8338; I can be reached via email at sydney.scalici.lmhc@gmail.com.