Frequently asked questions

We’re in-network with Cigna. For all other insurance plans, we’re an out-of-network practice—but that doesn’t mean your insurance can’t help. Many of our clients with out-of-network benefits get reimbursed for a significant portion of their sessions. We work with Mentaya to make that process as painless as possible.

When a practice is in-network, insurance companies get a say in your diagnosis, how many sessions you “need,” and what kind of treatment counts. Being out-of-network means those decisions stay between you and your therapist—not you, your therapist, and someone at an insurance company who’s never met you.

The practical side: if your plan has out-of-network benefits, you can still get reimbursed. We generate superbills after each session, and if you use Mentaya, they handle checking your benefits, filing claims, and following up with your insurance company for you. Some clients get 50–80% back depending on their plan.

We recommend calling the number on the back of your insurance card and asking about your out-of-network mental health benefits before your first session, or we can help you figure that out together.

Individual sessions range from $150–$275 depending on the therapist. We know that’s a lot. We try to be upfront about it because nobody likes financial surprises on top of the vulnerability of starting therapy. If cost is a barrier, just ask—we offer financial flexibility and would rather have the conversation than have it be the reason you don’t come.

It’s an itemized statement with your diagnosis, the service codes, and what you paid. If your plan covers out-of-network providers, your insurance reimburses you directly. We generate superbills automatically after each session, and if you use Mentaya, they handle submitting the claims for you so you don’t have to track it down yourself.

Yes. Therapy is an eligible expense for both Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts. You can typically pay directly with your HSA/FSA card.

You do not have to act. You don’t have to be “creative.” Drama therapy uses things like storytelling, movement, metaphor, art, music, and yes, sometimes puppets—to help you access feelings and experiences that are hard to get to by just talking. It’s less “perform a monologue” and more “let’s find a different way in to the thing that’s stuck.”

We talk. I ask questions about what brought you here, what you’re hoping for, and what your life actually looks like right now. It’s a get-to-know-you conversation, not an interrogation. You’re also figuring out if you want to work with me—that part matters just as much.

Sessions are 50 minutes. Most clients come weekly, at least to start. We can always adjust frequency once we get going.

Yes. We see clients virtually throughout New York State. Some clients come in person to our NYC office, some do video, some switch between the two depending on the week.

We ask for at least 24 hours’ notice. Late cancellations and no-shows are charged the full session fee. Life happens—we get it—but the policy keeps the schedule running for everyone.

Book the free 30-minute consultation. Most practices give you 15 minutes, which is barely enough to exchange names. We take longer because choosing a therapist is a big decision and you deserve enough time to actually get a feel for how we work. You’ll get a sense of our vibe, we’ll get a sense of what you’re looking for, and we’ll both be honest about whether it’s a match. If it’s not, we’ll do our best to point you toward someone who is.

More than okay. A lot of people who come here have never done therapy, or tried it once and it felt like a waste of time. Starting is the hard part. We’ll figure the rest out together.

You don’t need a diagnosis to come here. Plenty of people have a complicated relationship with food or their body that doesn’t fit neatly into a clinical box. If it’s taking up space in your life, that’s enough.

Our office is at 8 West 38th Street, Suite 1104, New York, NY (Midtown Manhattan). We also see clients via telehealth throughout New York State.

Email us at jessicaelwarttherapy@gmail.com to book a free 30-minute virtual consultation. We’ll go from there.