NYC Sleep Doctor

Practical Matters

• What are your fees?

  My fees vary based on the type of service (consultation, therapy visit, coaching package, etc.). Please contact me to discuss fees for services that interest you. I always discuss fees in advance so there will never be any surprise charges.

• Do you accept insurance?

  I do not accept insurance. However, if you have out-of-network benefits, I can submit claims to your provider so that you can be reimbursed for (typically part of) my fee. I can also accept most FSA/HSA cards and provide documentation to justify the expense. Insurance carriers differ on whether and how much they will reimburse for psychotherapy and telehealth. You can contact your carrier to find out your deductible (out-of-pocket payment necessary before you can be reimbursed) and percentage covered. Please note that insurance carriers typically reimburse a percentage of what they deem “reasonable and expected” charges and not necessarily my full fee. Please note that coaching fees are not covered by insurance or HSA/FSA.

• What is your cancellation policy?

  Please provide as much notice as possible for cancellations so that I have the opportunity to fill that spot with someone else. If you cancel your appointment less than 2 business days in advance for any reason, you are responsible for the full fee as I am unable to fill slots on short notice.

• Do you do consultations by phone or video?

  I currently conduct all consultations and sessions using a secure video portal (HIPAA compliant). Some coaching sessions are available by phone, but I do not do therapy over the phone.

Individual Treatment

• What is Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)?

  Cognitive Behavior Therapy is a short-term therapy focused on identifying and altering the situations, thoughts and behaviors that are causing symptoms. CBT has been proven effective in the treatment of Depression, Anxiety, Panic Disorder, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, and many other symptoms and disorders. CBT has also been proven effective in the treatment of insomnia and other sleep disorders (CBT-I). In fact, CBT-I is the treatment of choice–preferable to medication–for sleep disorders. CBT-I can be conducted in individual or group psychotherapy.

• Why is CBT-I preferable to medication for sleep problems?

  CBT-I addresses the causes of sleep problems whereas medication addresses the symptoms. When the medication runs out, the sleep problems often return. Sleep problems typically emerge in times of stress. They persist beyond the stressful period because of the thoughts and behaviors that developed in reaction to the initial period of bad sleep. For example, when sleep is poor, we tend to worry each night about whether we will sleep. That worrying becomes part of the problem, creating anxiety at bedtime. CBT-I is used to identify and treat the web of thoughts and behaviors that are perpetuating the sleep problem.

• Do I have to stop taking sleep medication to start CBT-I?

  No. If you want to stop taking sleep medication—and your physician approves—I can help you learn to sleep without medication. However, some people find that the combination of medication and CBT-I is preferable in their situation. Once we determine the cause of your sleep problems, we will create an appropriate treatment plan to address the issue.

• Do you prescribe medication?

  No. Psychologists do not prescribe medication. Medication for depression, anxiety or other underlying mood problems can be a useful adjunct to treatment. Occasionally, sleep medications may also be helpful. If it seems as though medication might be beneficial to your treatment, I will refer you to a psychiatrist for evaluation. I will work with the psychiatrist to incorporate the medication into your treatment plan.

• What if I’m struggling with more than just sleep?

  We can address your other concerns in therapy, too. In some cases, it makes sense to work on sleep and other issues simultaneously; and in other cases we may decide to work sequentially. When we meet for the evaluation, we will discuss your situation, symptoms and goals in depth and come up with a treatment plan that works for you. In addition to CBT-I, I use CBT, ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), and traditional, insight-oriented therapy in my work. In some situations, I may refer you to another provider for specialized therapy.

• What's the difference between therapy and coaching?

  Psychotherapy is a medical service requiring a license to treat diagnosed psychological conditions or disorders. Coaching is not a medical service, does not require a license and is not covered by insurance or FSA/HSA. Coaching is appropriate to address specific behavior patterns that are difficult to change independently. Coaching does not treat medical or mental health disorders.

Who can get services?

• Do you still work with babies?

  I am not currently doing sleep consultations for babies or young kids. Due to a number of special projects, I do not have the flexibility in my schedule to provide the kind of follow up needed in these cases.

• Do you work with kids or adolescents?

  I am currently working only with adults.

• I live outside New York. Can I still work with you?

  Probably. Outside of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Florida, where I am licensed or registered, I am limited to providing coaching services for sleep problems. This is not a medical or mental health service. If your concerns meet criteria for a mental health diagnosis, you will need to have a primary therapist or doctor who is licensed in your local area to be supplemented by my coaching services.

Other Services

• Do you provide other types of therapy?

  Yes. I provide CBT, ACT, and traditional, insight-oriented psychotherapy for treatment of a variety of difficulties, including: depression, anxiety, postpartum adjustment, relationship problems, adjustment disorders, issues related to aging, issues related to identity.

Just answer a few questions and Dr. Kennedy will be in touch.