Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make an appointment?
If you are interested in setting up an initial appointment, please call (914) 325-8464 or email me at drshelbyharris@drshelbyharris.com. I will provide a brief phone consultation with you to answer your questions and ensure that I can provide services that may be of help to you. Email is often the fastest way to contact me at the start so we can set up a time to talk.
How often do I need to come to therapy?
Most of my clients attend weekly or every-other-week therapy sessions depending on the nature of their concern. Our initial consultation appointment will last 45 minutes and follow-up appointments are also 45 minutes. As your symptoms begin to resolve, we will taper off our sessions and meet more infrequently as you begin to practice your newly-learned skills for longer amounts of time on your own.
How long does treatment last?
Treatment length depends on the complexity of the presenting problem. For some insomnia and nightmare treatments, many patients notice significant symptom improvements in as few as 3 or 4 sessions. Treatment length frequently varies based upon complicating factors such as medication dependence and tapering and/or medical and psychiatric issues. Though it depends on each case, most other anxiety and depression treatments tend to last 6-12 months.
Do you accept insurance?
I do not accept insurance directly, though most of my clients use their out-of-network benefits to receive some reimbursement. Clients are billed directly for therapy sessions. Each bill includes the necessary information for submission to your insurance company.
How do I find out how much my insurance company will reimburse me for your service?
If you would like to find out how much your insurance carrier will reimburse you, I recommend calling the company and asking them how much they will reimburse for the specific service you are seeking. In determining how much you will be reimbursed, be sure to ask them the percentage of the doctor's fees they will reimburse, if there is a deductible, and what their maximum allowable is. Services provided by a licensed clinical psychologist are often considered an eligible qualifying expense under most flexible spending plans.
Do I need to stop my medication for sleep before starting behavioral treatment?
You do not have to be off of medication to benefit from my treatment. Although some people choose to begin without medication, a number of people decide to start treatment as a way to learn strategies that will complement their current sleep aids. If you do decide, however, to stop your medication during your treatment, I will work with you and your prescribing doctor to gradually taper your dosage once you feel comfortable doing so and have learned alternative techniques.
Do I need a sleep study?
I have extensive training in assessment of various sleep disorders and can help determine whether you will need a sleep study to investigate any underlying medical issues that may be impacting your sleep (e.g. obstructive sleep apnea). I have relationships with many sleep centers in New York, and will help give you the appropriate referrals. I am on faculty at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and work closely with my former sleep medicine colleagues at Montefiore Medical Center. I can coordinate care and referrals if consultation with a MD sleep specialist is necessary.
What if I am already in psychotherapy? Can I still see you for my sleep problems?
Many of my patients are regularly involved in psychotherapy and wish to continue with their current therapist. In these cases, I work with patients in an adjunctive manner, providing specific, targeted treatment to improve your sleep. I will work closely with your therapist to make sure we are providing treatment that complements one another. Improving sleep can improve outcomes in other therapies for anxiety and depression as well.
What is your Cancellation Policy?
A cancelled appointment delays our work. I will consider our meetings very important and ask you to do the same. When you must cancel, please give me at least 24 hours notice. Your session time is reserved for you. I am rarely able to fill a cancelled session unless I know well in advance. If you start to cancel sessions, I will have to charge you for the lost time unless I am able to fill it. You will be charged the full fee for sessions canceled with less than 24 hours notice.