How long does therapy last?

The length of treatment differs depending on the severity of the presenting concern and each individual patient. However, a fair expectation is between 3-5 months. Short-term treatments, such as CBT, work best when patients are engaged, rarely miss appointments, and actively apply what is learned in session in their day-to-day lives.

I'm not sure if I really need therapy. How can I know for sure?

Dr. Goldfine is happy to perform a diagnostic consultation to evaluate for any significant mental health concerns and, if necessary, discuss a preliminary treatment plan. This usually takes about 2 hours and there is no obligation to continue. Many parents and individuals find it comforting to know that what they or their child is going through is "normal" or that there is a simple short-term solution to ease their distress. Generally speaking, if your or your child's anxiety, mood, or behavior issue is causing significant distress or impacting social, academic, or occupational functioning, then reaching out to a therapist like Dr. Goldfine may be a good idea.

Can therapy meet more frequently than once a week?

While Dr. Goldfine does, on occasion, see certain patients multiple times a week, weekly meetings are typically preferred. This allows time for patients to practice their coping strategies and apply new skills between therapy sessions. Meeting more than once a week may occur in cases that require intensive treatment for particularly severe distress or when there is a firm time deadline (e.g., leaving for college).

Does Dr. Goldfine accept insurance?

Dr. Goldfine is an out-of-network provider, which means that he does not participate on any health insurance panels. However, he will give you all the paperwork to submit to your health insurance company to receive any out-of-network reimbursement. Since each individual plan is different, Dr. Goldfine recommends contacting your health insurance company before your first appointment to discuss reimbursement. Many patients are pleasantly surprised at the reimbursement rates and, since they do not have to pay a co-pay, find therapy sessions with Dr. Goldfine comparable to an in-network provider.

Can Dr. Goldfine speak at my school or community center?

Dr. Goldfine is frequently involved with local and national media outlets. Additionally, he conducts numerous talks to parents and families in the community and training workshops to teachers or mental health professionals. If you would like to learn more about having Dr. Goldfine conduct a lecture, workshop, or question-and-answer session, please contact Dr. Goldfine.

I am a therapist looking to learn more about using CBT or other treatments (e.g., Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, exposure therapy), can Dr. Goldfine consult with me?

Dr. Goldfine has trained and consulted with many therapists in various stages of their professional development. As a former assistant professor at Columbia University Medical Center, teaching and training students and therapists continue to be one of his passions. For more information on having Dr. Goldfine's professional consultation services, please contact him.