Malgorzata Zolek, MPsy, LMHC, LMFT, CASAC, ICADC, CHt

WHAT IS MY FEE AND HOW DO I ACCEPT PAYMENT?

I am a psychotherapist independent of managed care, so the course of therapy is always patient-centered and controlled by client and therapist - not by an insurance company or other third party. This enables me to guarantee complete privacy, confidentiality, trust, and discretion.

I have a Fee-for-Service policy which means you pay at the time of service. I accept payment in the form of cash, check, or credit card.

Current payment information:

• Assessment/Consultation Session: $175 per 60 min session
• Individual Therapy Session: $150 per 45 min session
• Couples/Family Therapy Session: $150 per 45 min session, $250 per 90 min session
• Group Therapy Session: $60 per 90 min session

There is an initial screening session for each group member which cost $60. A deposit is required for the first two group sessions. The initial deposit of $120 covers the cost of two group sessions.

DO I HAVE A SLIDING SCALE?

I do have a sliding scale, and I do work with my clients to ensure they can afford their treatment.

DO I TAKE INSURANCE? 

My practice is a patient-centered personal service. Because I am independent of managed care, I do not accept payment directly from insurance providers. However, if you have out of network coverage from your insurance carrier, your mental health benefits may be reimbursable. I will provide you with the appropriate statement for submission to your insurance carrier.

Some of the insurance companies that reimburse my clients are Aetna, Cigna, Oxford, United Behavioral Health and others.

Check with your insurance company to see if your plan covers you for out of network psychotherapy services and ask your carrier for details.

Check your coverage carefully by finding the answers to the following questions by directly asking your insurance company:

• What are my mental health benefits?
• How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
• What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
• How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
• Is a referral required from my primary care physician?

HOW LONG ARE THE SESSIONS?

Individual therapy sessions are 45 minutes. Group therapy sessions are 90 minutes. Couples and families are encouraged to do double sessions of 90 minutes.

HOW FREQUENTLY ARE SESSIONS SCHEDULED?

Group, Couples, and Family Therapy Sessions are scheduled on a weekly basis. Individual Therapy sessions are scheduled once per week or more often depending on the needs of the individual client.

DO I RECOMMEND INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, OR COUPLE/FAMILY THERAPY?

Depending on your situation and your needs, I make the recommendation during your phone intake. If your situation is related to your family problems or relationship dissatisfaction, I will most likely recommend a Family or Couples Assessment Session. The treatment to be followed can be further determined during your first appointment: assessment session. Some individual's issues are better suited to group treatment, while others are better approached individually. Similarly, some couples receive the greatest benefit from short-term, goal-oriented therapy while for others a longer period of therapy is necessary. If you are interested in therapy, contact me and I will meet with you to help determine the course of therapy that is best for you.

CAN MEDICATION SUBSTITUTE THERAPY?

Sometimes a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action especially at the beginning of treatment in cases where symptoms are interfering with a client’s everyday functioning. While medications treat just symptoms, psychotherapy explores the roots of our problems and behavioral patterns that block us from being happy. Mental and emotional problems cannot be solved solely by medication. Psychotherapy works like medications by providing lasting results that can be achieved over time and can free one from the need to take psychotropic medications

WHAT IF MEDICATION IS INDICATED?

If the result of careful evaluation indicates that dedication may be helpful, I will refer one to a psycho pharmacologist for consultation.

IS THERAPY RIGHT FOR YOU?

Struggling with long-standing emotional problems such as anxiety, depression, unexpected life changes like divorce or job loss, are a few of many reasons why people come to therapy.  For some people therapy is a way to work on self-growth. Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by working towards its transformation and achieving greater self-awareness. Therapy works as a mirror in which you can see aspects of yourself and your life circumstances that you are not able to see from within. While you may have successfully navigated through some difficulties you've faced, building a satisfying life is like building a house: it may take you much longer to do it yourself than if you do it with professional guidance.

Actually, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need or may benefit from a helping hand and that is something to be admired.

HOW DO YOU GET STARTED?

To get started, call me at 718-360-3144 to schedule your appointment. During this phone intake, I answer any other questions you might have, take your information and a brief description of your situation, and schedule your appointment.

WHERE AM I LOCATED?

Manhattan Office:

Manhattan Institute for Psychoanalysis
245 East 13th Street, Ground Floor
 
New York, New York 10003

Directions:

My Manhattan office is conveniently located two blocks from the Union Square area,

• near the L train: one block from the Third Avenue Station; and the 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, 
• and L train: two blocks from the Union Square Station.

Brooklyn Office:

776A Manhattan Avenue, Suite 103L

Brooklyn, NY 11222

Directions: 

My Brooklyn office is conveniently located in the center of Greenpoint,

• near the G train: between Nassau Avenue station and Greenpoint Ave station;
• and the L train: 15min walking distance from the Bedford Avenue Station.

WHAT ARE MY HOURS?

I see clients by appointment only.