FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Have some questions?

What are the acronyms after the therapist’s names? (LCSW, LMSW, PhD, PsyD, LMHC, etc.)

This has to do with the therapist's education and/or licensure. All our therapists are qualified and trained to provide mental health services.

Is my quiz confidential?

Absolutely! Not even the therapists you contact will know your answers. We do NOT require you to put a name or email to take the quiz. The purpose of the quiz is for matching purposes only, and your information will not be shared.

What if I do not hear back from a therapist?

Therapists are often busy seeing clients and can't check email regularly. If you do not hear back from them within a couple days, you can email again or try calling. And remember that it’s ok to reach out to multiple matches!

Are all therapists licensed?

Each therapist on our site is required to be licensed in NY. We verify all profiles and ensure all therapists are properly licensed.

Do therapists prescribe medication?

No. Only psychiatrists who are MDs and psychiatric nurse practitioners (NP) can prescribe medication. Many psychiatrists and NPs do not provide therapy, but some may. Most therapists have wonderful referrals for qualified prescribers.

Do I need to fill out the quiz to find a therapist?

No. You can simply view our full directory of therapists. However, we do encourage taking the quiz to find YOUR best therapist match.

What if I do not like my quiz matches?

You can always click here to view our full directory. Many therapists offer a free, 15-minute consultation. It can help to speak with a therapist to get a better sense of who they are.

There are so many therapist options. How do I decide?

We strongly feel the relationship you have with your therapist is the most crucial part of the therapy experience. Browse a few profiles and start contacting those that you connect with.


What is the difference between in-network and out-of-network therapists?

An in-network provider accepts your insurance, and you likely will pay only a copay. If a therapist does not take your insurance, they are considered out-of-network. Make sure to check with your provider to confirm if you have out of network benefits.

How do I find out if I have out-of-network benefits for therapy?

Your therapist may be able to do this for you, but it is always a good idea to verify yourself. You can call your insurance company and ask them if you have "out-of-network outpatient mental health benefits”. If so, make sure to follow up with these questions:

  • What is my deductible and how much has been met?
  • What percentage of a therapy session is covered? 
  • How many sessions per year does my plan cover?
  • Is authorization required to receive services?
What exactly is a deductible?

This is the amount you need to pay before your insurance starts to cover your healthcare costs.

Copay, coinsurance...what's the difference?

A copay is what you pay to an in-network provider. This is part of the therapist’s agreed upon session rate with your insurance. You pay the copay and your insurance pays the remaining to your therapist.

Coinsurance is a percentage of the session rate that you will not get back for therapy. This is usually when you see a therapist that is out-of-network (does not take your insurance). You may have to pay a therapist's entire session rate, but will be reimbursed from your insurance If applicable.


What does usual and customary rate (UCR), reimbursement rate, or allowed amount mean?

This is the maximum amount of money an insurance company will allow for a therapy session. This may be lower than your therapist's session rate. Insurance plans will have different UCRs.

How do I get reimbursed if I have out-of-network benefits?

Always make sure you check your out-of-network benefits before starting therapy so that you have an idea of what you are responsible to pay at the time of session.

Many therapists will provide you with a document called a “superbill” that you can provide to your insurance company to receive reimbursement. Some therapists will even submit necessary paperwork for you.


How long will it take to receive reimbursement if using out-of-network benefits?

This depends on how often you or your therapist sends in necessary paperwork to your insurance company. On average it will take 4-6 weeks to be reimbursed. Remember: you will not be reimbursed until your deductible is met.

A disclaimer on insurance:

Everybody's situation is different. Make sure to check your benefits so there are no surprise costs and if confused ask your therapist to explain.

I work with so many different types of clients, why can't I select all that apply?

We know how awesome therapists are and how many skills they have. In order to get the best match for you and a potential client, we want you to reflect and focus on your main passions.

Are my quiz answers confidential?

Yes of course! These are for matching purposes only. There are 2 quiz questions that ask what you want to highlight on your profile. These will be seen but are not personal identifying questions. The purpose of the quiz is for matching purposes only and your information will never be shared.

Who do I contact for support, feedback, suggestions, questions, etc?

The best way to reach us is by email at hello@westchestertherapy.com. We would love to hear from you!

Who are the therapists that started this?

Hi! We are Ashley and Dan Fellows, therapists who happen to be married. While we could not be more different in our therapy style and approach we both agree that the connection between therapist and client is crucial to establish change in our clients’ lives. Our hope is for therapists to spend more time seeing their ideal clients and less time on poor fitting referrals.

Why a local directory?

There are so many directories out there, but we feel all are missing a big aspect: community. We want this site to be a valuable resource for therapists who practice in Westchester. We wanted to create a directory site that will support you. Email us, pick up the phone, ask for help. Having a hard time setting up your profile? Don't know what to say? Can’t decide what picture to use? Have ideas? Contact us. We want to support you, build connections, and expand your referral network.

Why so many personal identity questions?

Therapy is personal and we ask our clients to share themselves with us. Our hope is by learning about you as a person and your identity we might have a better understanding of your ideal clients. Sometimes this is true and other times it is not! But we are learning and please share feedback with us here.

Do I need to have an office in Westchester to be listed on WestchesterTherapy.com?

We ask that you live and/or work in Westchester County. We know therapists may be virtual only and that is totally fine. As long as you have/had an office in Westchester and/or see clients in Westchester you can join.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.