Therapy

Adoption-Sensitive Therapy

Drawing upon my extensive knowledge, experience, and skills developed throughout my 20+ years of providing adoption-sensitive therapy, I seek to provide adoptees, adoptive parents, and birth parents with empathy, understanding, support, and practical tools to cope with the complexity associated with adoption. I recognize that being adopted is not a single event; it has lifelong implications. Adoption can lead to significant identity challenges that include questions about biological origins, racial and cultural identity, the seven core issues in adoption, and trauma. 

My practice focuses on empowering adoptees and their families to cope with the complexity of adoption, to manage adoption-based trauma, to prepare for and cope with the ups and downs of searching for birth relatives, and to gain the skills and perspectives that can support adoptees as they navigate their lives. I specialize in working with transracial and transnational adoptees and their families to do the racial and cultural analyses that can aid in their adoption journey. 

In my practice, I see children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Presenting issues range from symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, trauma, and other emotional concerns. Although I specialize in adoption-sensitive therapy, most of my clients address a range of issues from early childhood concerns, relationship issues, stress, and career-related challenges.. 

Sessions can be in-person in my Chelsea NYC office or via telehealth for those in the states of New York or New Jersey. I am also authorized to practice telepsychology in 42 states under the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) and granted by the PSYPACT Commission.

My practice is part-time, so I may have limited openings for new patients. I do keep a wait list for openings and am always happy to have a brief consultation phone call to discuss possibilities.

Our session will be

  • Personalized

    Our initial sessions will be dedicated to assessing your current wellness and creating a personalized plan to fit your unique needs and goals.

  • Targeted

    The salience of adoption and of racial and cultural identity varies greatly among adoptees and adoption stakeholders. I include an ongoing assessment of adoption within the context of a complex world where other personal concerns (e.g., career, relationships, racial identity) can also be addressed.

  • Integrative

    Using a social justice informed perspective and an antiracist lens, I will support adoptees and adoption stakeholders in the work of integrating their various identities and perspective to optimize mental health.

What you’ll get

  • Weekly 45-minute, therapy sessions

  • Comprehensive individualized assessment

  • Personalized plan to help you reach your goals

  • Support from an adoption-informed psychologist

  • Helpful tools, tips, and tricks for navigating your unique obstacles

  • Licensed Psychologist in New York and New Jersey

  • Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT)

    • Granted by the PSYPACT Commission

  • Date issued 11/22/2024

  1. • • APIT 20152

Supervisees

I am currently supervising two therapists who are seeking clinical licensure. Both have graduated from MSW programs, both have their LMSWs, and both are adult adoptees who were adopted transnationally and transracially. If you work are seeking therapy and are willing to work with one of my supervisees, please let me know. My supervisees are:

Meggin Nam Holtz, LMSW and Sydney Shepard, LMSW.

I collaborate with both clinicians and supervise their work closely. You can learn more about Meggin at her site, www.adoptioninformed.com.

 FAQs

  • I am licensed in New York State and in New Jersey so I am able to work with any client who is located within the states of New York or New Jersey when we have our sessions. For example, a client who lives in New Jersey and wants to work with me will have to travel to New York State or New York City (where my office is located) for virtual or in-person sessions. I am also in the process of approval for the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT™) through PsycPact (an organization that allows some inter jurisdictional practice across member states’ lines), which would permit me to work virtually with clients across 42 (currently) member states (PsycPact Map).

  • Since the global COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of clinical work shifted to Telehealth options. Beginning in the spring to 2022, I returned to the office. I now work with people both in-person or via Telehealth.

  • As an adult adoptee, I have always had interest and lived experience in adoption. When I began graduate school in the 1990s, I began studying adoption, specifically transracial adoption. Throughout my training, I sought to bring an adoption-informed perspective to the clinical work. As a professor, researcher, and practitioner, I have had the opportunity to develop and lead in the creation of knowledge about clinical issues and treatment for adoptees and their families.

  • Therapy sessions are 45 minutes long and the length of time that we work together varies based on your goals and on the commitment you make to the process.

  • I strongly believe that individuals and couples who are considering building their families through adoption should be well-prepared and supported on this parenting journey. I work with families who have already made the commitment (waiting families) as well as those considering adoption as an option.

  • Therapists who specialize in adoption can be hard to find. As a result, sometimes we have a wait list. If you join the wait list, you will receive periodic emails checking in with you about your interest. You are invited to also email and interact with me to get an estimate on the wait. We hope you feel supported even as you “wait” for our work to begin.

  • Being able to afford therapy is very important. In my practice, I do not take any insurance. I do, however, provide receipts for you to submit to your insurance company for out-of-network reimbursement.

    Check with your insurance provider about your out-of-network insurance benefits. Here are some questions to ask them:

    • Do I have out-of-network mental/behavioral health benefits? It may be called a Preferred Provider Organization Plan (PPO) or Point-Of-Service Plan (POS).

    • What is my out-of-network deductible for outpatient mental health visits?

    • How much of my deductible has been met this year?

    • What is my out-of-network coinsurance for outpatient mental health visits?

    • What is the usual and customary rate covered by my insurance for outpatient psychotherapy (CPT code 90834)? 

    • Do I need a referral from an in-network provider or a primary care physician to see someone out-of-network?

    • How do I submit claims for out-of-network reimbursement?

  • I encourage you to contact your insurance provider. Ask about your benefits and what coverage rates you have for out-of-network providers. If your insurance includes a clause that may allow for coverage of a specialist (in adoption given that may be a reason for your seeking therapy with me), you may be able to have some portion of the fee covered. See my list of questions to ask your insurance provider above.