Frequently Asked Questions

I have never done therapy before, what should I expect?

It is commendable that you are willing to try something new and different to help you address important aspects of your health. It’s not easy to ask for help – I greatly value and respect the trust placed in me as a provider. I have a deep respect for any person who is willing to come to therapy and address issues from a proactive and curious stance. In our first session, we’ll talk about what’s bringing you in and what you hope to change through therapy. Many people report feeling relieved after their first session. They feel they have taken an important first step toward improving their emotional health and wellbeing and the way they function in relationships.

You can expect a welcoming, nonjudgmental environment and you can expect that while we will talk about what’s on your mind, you will not feel pressure to discuss anything you are not ready or willing to share yet. As an experienced therapist who has been practicing for many years, you can expect to sit with a professional who has a deep commitment to helping others make meaningful and positive shifts in their lives. 

I aim to provide high quality, collaborative, and holistic psychotherapy services.

There is likely nothing you will say that will shock me or make me feel uncomfortable as I have treated a wide variety of presenting problems over many years, and I have trained in many different hospital and outpatient settings with diverse populations. I love what I do and look forward to helping you!

What can I expect in the first phone call?

The first phone call involves a brief conversation about what’s bringing you in and what you’d like to work on or see change through therapy. I personally talk with each client before we meet to make sure that it’s a good fit. If it makes sense to move forward, we’ll  schedule a time and day to meet for our first meeting! For couples, it is not necessary that I speak with each partner involved (over the phone). I typically have the initial call with one person and schedule our initial couples counseling session from there. At this time, most sessions are held virtually, but I do have some in-person sessions available on a case by case basis (in NYC and Upstate NY.)

I am afraid of being judged.

I see lots of couples/ individuals everyday seeking help for the same reasons you are looking for support and guidance right now. It should be celebrated that you care so much about your emotional well-being that you are willing to get a little uncomfortable for the sake of growth. You’re taking the necessary steps to improve your life and relationships and that’s something to be proud of. Everyone needs support at some point because, let’s face it, relationships and life can be hard! Know that it’s okay to seek guidance when it comes to the health of your relationships, your family, and your general mental and emotional well-being, and it’s very common to do so! 

(For Partners) We are worried about finding the time.

It’s true that therapy does require time and effort. It might currently feel difficult to imagine where it can fit in when you already have a demanding schedule.  We will work together to find a cadence and arrangement that fits. The good news is that couples therapy is not a lifetime commitment! We combine sessions with asynchronous care making it more flexible and approachable. 

Whether I am providing individual therapy or couples therapy, I focus on both the practical + the underlying dynamic shifts in order to help my clients experience greater satisfaction and joy in their lives over the long-term. 

We are nervous about the whole process and worried about what might come up.

It’s true, the unknown can be anxiety-producing and a bit scary. However, I have found in my work that my clients most typically feel a sense of relief and increased well-being by coming to therapy. While it can bring up uncomfortable feelings as we begin to address problematic areas, therapy has also been shown to provide a sense of calm and relief as these areas get worked through and addressed. It might be helpful to think about a few of the following questions: how much time each week is currently spent being worried about the relationship or in conflict? Or, in general – how much time are you currently spending not really enjoying your precious time together? What would it be like to have more clarity and know-how when it comes to relationship concerns? What would it be like to really feel seen and heard and appreciated by your partner? What would it be like to feel more secure in the relationship? What would it be like to have more satisfying affection and intimacy?

We’re pretty self-sufficient people and we’ve never done this before, can couples therapy really help us?

In my experience, being self-sufficient, confident, competent, and successful in many aspects of life is not necessarily correlated with intimate relationship satisfaction. Further, life is stressful and hard at times, transitions can throw us for a loop, couples counseling (and therapy in general) provides a safe space to deal with the concerns in a constructive way. I look forward to having the opportunity to work with you!

I am considered an out-of-network provider for psychotherapy services. You will receive a monthly superbill receipt with all necessary codes in case you’d like to submit to your insurance company for out-of-network reimbursement benefits.

$300.00/ session (individuals)
$400.00/ session (couples/ family)

A note about my services and the decision not to be in-network with insurance:

After careful consideration, and as a therapist in NYC with over ten years of experience, I have made the decision not to contract directly with managed care companies where they would then dictate the terms of care, fees, policies, and overall clinical direction and work. This includes insurance companies as well as venture-backed IPA companies that serve as an “intermediary” between practices and insurance companies.

This decision allows me full creativity in my work and enables me to provide each member of my practice with a tailored, holistic, high-quality experience. As a therapist, it’s critical to the quality of the offering to be able to show up rested, energized, and in a consistently sustainable way in order to provide the best possible care.

Collaboration with other providers as needed during our work together, i.e.–other therapists, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, healers, etc., is included in the overall cost of services. Because my weekly caseload is smaller, I can dedicate my attention as needed to each member of my practice without burnout. I am also able to participate in regular ongoing continuing education/ case conceptualization meetings to ensure the highest quality care. In addition, I maintain space during the week for an alternative or additional time if needed by a client in my current caseload. I have found over the years in practice, that these combined factors significantly contribute to the best possible outcomes and allow for a much higher quality therapy experience overall.

Getting Started with a Thoughtful Assessment:

For Individuals, Initial (Three-Session) Assessment: $975.00.

For Couples, Initial (Four-Session) Assessment: $1700.00.

The assessment period is an important part of the process as it serves as a way to ensure a good working fit and allows me the space and time to adequately assess your concerns and formulate thoughtful recommendations. Many clients have noted that they find the start of our work to be powerful and transformative in itself as they begin to articulate more clearly their needs, current barriers, ideal outcomes, and desires — both through the opening paperwork and in our early assessment sessions.

Upon completion of the assessment, we will have a clearer sense of the work so I can provide you with the most meaningful value. You will have the option to purchase ongoing sessions in package form or per session — based on the determination of your needs. If purchased in package form (recommended for full course of treatment) the hourly session rate is reduced.

Out-of-Network Benefits:

The most convenient way to submit your superbill for reimbursement is typically through your insurance’s app. You can check your current out-of-network benefits here: out-of-network reimbursement calculator  *please keep in mind that the Nirvana out-of-network benefit checker is not an actual quote from your insurance, but rather a general estimate based on your Member ID and general plan contract. To check Nirvana, you’ll need your Member ID and my name and NPI which is: Jennifer Uhrlass, LMFT;  NPI: 1184040578.

In my experience, insurances typically reimburse between 50%-80% of the fees. To find out about your exact coverage, you can call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask to speak with a mental health representative:

Ask what your out-of-network coverage is for the following codes:

90791 (Initial session)

90834 (Individual session)

90847 (Couple/family session)

Feel free to give me a call at 917.708.7088 should you have any further questions about your insurance plan coverage. I can also check your insurance coverage on your behalf before we get started if that’s easier for you, please feel free to ask about this.

Modern Accelerated Programs are short-term, targeted support programs designed to help you navigate major life transitions or a particular difficulty. Many clients also use them as “a refresher” or “check-ins” once they’ve completed therapy at Modern MFT. I would be happy to help you determine the best option in our initial call. I look forward to speaking with you soon!