Therapy
Questions we’re often asked
Q1: How do I know if therapy is right for me?
If you feel stuck, overwhelmed or sense that something needs to change but aren’t sure where to start, therapy can help. You don’t need to have it all figured out first. A free 15-minute consultation is an easy way to talk it through.
Q2: How long is each session?
Most sessions last 50–60 minutes. You and your clinician will decide together how often to meet, usually weekly or every other week, depending on your needs and schedule.
Q3: How much does it cost?
Without insurance, therapy sessions typically range from $150 to $275, depending on the clinician you work with.
We know cost matters, and we try to make it clear from the start. Calmora is out-of-network with most insurance plans, so our Care Coordination team provides superbills and can help you check your out-of-network benefits. Self-pay clients receive a Good Faith Estimate before care begins.
Q4: Do you offer telehealth sessions?
Yes. We use a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform for clients located in New York and New Jersey. Many people find telehealth just as helpful and easier to fit into a busy week.
Q5: What’s your therapeutic approach?
Our clinicians draw on evidence-based approaches such as CBT, DBT, ACT, EMDR, psychodynamic and family systems therapy. Rather than following a manual, we tailor the work to you, your goals and what you need most.
Insurance
Questions about insurance
Q1: Do you take my insurance?
Insurance can be confusing, and no two plans work quite the same way. You don’t have to sort it out alone. Our Care Coordination team can help you check your benefits and understand any likely out-of-pocket costs before you start.
Calmora is an out-of-network provider with most insurance plans. If your plan includes out-of-network mental health benefits, often the case with PPO and some POS plans, we’ll provide superbills you can submit for possible reimbursement.
Q2: How much does therapy cost without insurance?
Without insurance, therapy usually costs between $150 and $275 per session, depending on which clinician you see.
We don’t want cost to be a barrier to care. We’ll be upfront about fees from your first call, give you a Good Faith Estimate before you begin and talk through options such as session frequency so the plan feels workable for you.
Clinicians
Questions about our team
Q1: What’s the difference between a senior clinician and a clinician?
Mostly years of experience. Some of our clinicians have been in practice longer than others, but everyone on our team is licensed, works to the same standards of care and is chosen for both skill and warmth.
Q2: What languages do your clinicians speak?
Our clinicians offer sessions in English and Spanish, including bilingual evaluations with Dr. Julian Ortiz.
Appointments & Billing
Questions about appointments
Q1: What’s your cancellation policy?
Because we reserve a regular time just for you, we ask for 48 hours’ notice to cancel or move an appointment. When we can, we’ll offer another time based on your clinician’s availability. Late cancellations are charged at $150 and can’t be billed to insurance.
Q2: What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept credit and debit cards, as well as FSA and HSA cards. We don’t usually accept cash or checks, except in special circumstances.
Q3: Do you provide emotional support animal letters?
Because the laws and responsibilities around emotional support animal letters keep changing, we’re not able to provide these letters at this time.
Q4: What is a "Good Faith Estimate"?
Under the federal No Surprises Act, if you don’t have insurance or you choose not to use it (for example, you pay for care yourself and don’t submit claims to your health plan), health care providers must give you an estimate of expected charges before your care begins. This is called a “Good Faith Estimate.”
You’re entitled to a Good Faith Estimate when you schedule care, or at any time you ask for one. It should include the expected charges for the main service you’re receiving and any related services that are part of the same plan of care. It is an estimate, not a bill or a contract, and your actual costs may change if your care changes.
For a therapy client, a Good Faith Estimate usually lists the type of session, the expected number of sessions over a period of time and the fee for each one.
Under the rules, providers must:
– Give you the Good Faith Estimate within set timeframes after you schedule or request it.
– List each expected service with its billing code and expected charge.
– Explain the estimate to you by phone or in person if you ask, and follow up with a written (paper or electronic) copy.
– Make the estimate available in a way that is accessible to you.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you may be able to dispute it. At Calmora, this simply means you’ll know your self-pay session rate and our cancellation fee before you start.