Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy

Choosing a therapist often comes with questions about what to expect, how the process works, and whether a particular practice is the right fit. The answers below provide information about therapy at Psychological Services of New York and the practical aspects of getting started.

How do I know if therapy is the right next step?

Therapy may be helpful when emotional, behavioral, social, academic, relationship, or work-related concerns begin interfering with daily life or continue despite efforts to manage them independently.

A person does not need to be in crisis or have a specific diagnosis to benefit from therapy. Some individuals seek support for anxiety, depression, stress, low confidence, emotional regulation, relationship difficulties, or major life transitions. Parents may seek therapy when they notice changes in a child’s mood, behavior, school functioning, friendships, or ability to manage frustration.

An initial conversation can help determine whether therapy may be appropriate and whether our practice is the right fit for your needs.

What happens during the first therapy session?

The first session focuses on understanding what brings you or your child to therapy, relevant history, current concerns, and what you hope will improve.

For children and teenagers, the initial process also includes communication with parents to better understand what is happening at home, in school, and in other areas of life. The exact structure varies based on the individual’s age and circumstances.

The first session is also an opportunity to begin determining the most appropriate direction for treatment. Therapy develops over time, and a complete understanding of a person’s concerns often emerges as the therapeutic relationship develops.

How do you determine the right approach to therapy?

At Psychological Services of New York, treatment is individualized rather than based on the assumption that one therapy model works for every person or every problem.

Depending on the individual’s needs, therapy may draw from cognitive behavioral strategies, emotional regulation skills, behavioral interventions, problem-solving, supportive therapy, and other evidence-informed approaches. Treatment can change as new information emerges and different needs become more important.

The goal is to understand the individual, identify what may be contributing to the problem, and use the approaches that are most useful at that point in the therapeutic process.

How long does therapy usually take?

There is no predetermined length of therapy that is appropriate for everyone. The duration of treatment depends on the nature of the concerns, how long they have been present, the individual’s goals, and how the person responds to therapy.

Some individuals seek support for a specific concern and may benefit from shorter-term treatment. Others are working through more complex or longstanding patterns and may benefit from therapy over a longer period.

Progress and treatment needs are considered throughout the process rather than assuming at the beginning that every person requires the same number of sessions.

How often are therapy sessions scheduled?

Most individuals begin with weekly therapy sessions. Regular sessions can help establish momentum, develop the therapeutic relationship, and provide enough consistency to work effectively toward treatment goals.

As progress occurs, some individuals may transition to less frequent sessions. The appropriate frequency depends on the person’s needs, current concerns, progress, and circumstances.

What ages do you work with?

Psychological Services of New York, P.C. provides therapy for children, preteens, adolescents, young adults, and adults.

Our age-based services include:

• Child Therapy, ages 6 through 13
• Teen Therapy, ages 14 through 18
• Young Adult Therapy, ages 18 through 25
• Adult Therapy

Treatment is adapted to the developmental needs, concerns, and communication style of each individual.

What concerns do you help children and teenagers with?

Children and teenagers come to therapy for many different reasons. Common concerns include anxiety, depression, school stress, academic pressure, low confidence, emotional outbursts, difficulty managing frustration, peer problems, family conflict, social challenges, avoidance, and difficulty adjusting to changes.

Some children and teenagers are experiencing significant distress, while others are generally functioning well but need support in a particular area.

Treatment focuses on understanding the individual child or teenager rather than assuming that everyone with a similar concern needs the same approach.

What does therapy look like for children?

Child therapy needs to reflect the child’s age, developmental level, personality, and way of communicating.

Some children are comfortable talking directly about their concerns. Others communicate more naturally while playing a game, drawing, discussing recent situations, or working through examples. Therapy may focus on helping children better understand emotions, recognize patterns, manage anxiety, tolerate frustration, solve problems, and respond more effectively to difficult situations.

Building trust can take time, particularly when a child is anxious, guarded, or unsure why they are coming to therapy. Developing that comfort is an important part of the therapeutic process.

How are parents involved in child therapy?

Parents are an important part of child therapy, but the level of involvement depends on the child’s age, concerns, and treatment needs.

Parent communication can help identify patterns, provide information about what is happening outside of sessions, and support progress at home. Younger children may require more frequent parent involvement, while older children and preteens often benefit from increasing privacy and independence within therapy.

The goal is to maintain appropriate communication with parents while also allowing the child to develop trust and become comfortable engaging in the therapeutic process.

Will I know what my teenager talks about in therapy?

Confidentiality is an important part of teen therapy. Teenagers are more likely to speak openly when they know that every detail of a session will not automatically be reported to a parent.

At the same time, parents remain important and may have valuable information about changes in mood, behavior, school functioning, relationships, or other concerns. Parent involvement is determined based on the teenager’s age, needs, and circumstances.

The goal is to maintain the privacy necessary for meaningful therapy while allowing for appropriate parent communication and collaboration.

What if my child or teenager does not want to come to therapy?

It is common for children and teenagers to feel uncertain, uncomfortable, or resistant when therapy is first suggested. Some do not believe they need help, while others may worry about what therapy will be like or feel uncomfortable discussing personal concerns with someone they do not know.

A child or teenager does not need to arrive enthusiastic about therapy for the process to become helpful. Building comfort and trust may take time.

The initial focus is often on developing a relationship and helping the child or teenager become comfortable enough to engage. Forcing immediate disclosure or expecting significant change after one or two sessions can interfere with that process.

Do you provide therapy for young adults?

Yes. We provide young adult therapy for individuals navigating college, work, relationships, independence, identity, anxiety, stress, low confidence, and uncertainty about the future.

Young adulthood can involve significant changes in responsibilities, relationships, family roles, and expectations. Therapy is individualized to help young adults better understand what may be getting in the way while developing practical strategies, stronger coping skills, and greater confidence moving forward.

Do you provide therapy for adults?

Yes. We provide adult therapy throughout Westchester County for individuals experiencing concerns such as anxiety, depression, stress, relationship difficulties, work-related challenges, low confidence, recurring patterns, and major life transitions.

Adult therapy is individualized based on the person’s concerns, history, circumstances, and goals. Treatment focuses on developing greater understanding while also identifying practical strategies that can improve personal, emotional, relationship, and professional functioning.

What is integrative therapy?

Integrative therapy draws from multiple therapeutic approaches rather than requiring every person or problem to fit within a single treatment model.

Different individuals may benefit from different strategies, and the needs of the same person may change throughout therapy. An integrative approach allows treatment to adapt based on the individual, the problem being addressed, and what is most useful at that point in the therapeutic process.

At Psychological Services of New York, this individualized approach is reflected in The Yanni Integration Approach, a practical framework developed by Dr. Joseph R. Yanni for understanding how therapeutic decisions can be adapted to the needs of the individual.

Do you accept insurance?

Yes. Psychological Services of New York accepts insurance. Please visit our Insurance Information page for current information about accepted insurance plans and coverage.

Where are your offices located?

Psychological Services of New York provides in-person therapy in Westchester County at office locations in Scarsdale and Pleasantville, New York.

The appropriate office location may depend on clinician availability, scheduling, and the needs of the individual or family.

Do you offer telehealth therapy?

Yes. Telehealth therapy is available for individuals who prefer the convenience of virtual sessions or who are unable to attend appointments in person.

Telehealth can provide greater flexibility while allowing individuals to participate in therapy from a private location. Availability and whether telehealth is appropriate can be discussed during the initial contact process.

How do I get started with therapy?

The first step is to contact Psychological Services of New York with some basic information about who is seeking therapy, the primary concerns, age of the prospective client, insurance or private-pay needs, and general availability.

We can then determine whether the practice has an appropriate clinician and available appointment that matches your needs.

Psychological Services of New York provides child therapy, teen therapy, adult therapy, and telehealth throughout Westchester County, with offices in Scarsdale and Pleasantville.