FREQUENTLY ASKED

Questions are important. Couches are not.

A common misconception of therapy comes from Hollywood’s outdated portrayal. We’ve all seen it; the patient lying on a couch offloading to a silently-nodding, all-knowing shrink.


My approach to therapy is based on identifying the practical and actionable behavior changes my patients need to take to address whatever issue is holding them back. That starts with conversation.


While I do have a very comfy couch in my office, it’s not for laying on. It’s to make you comfortable enough where we can have a constructive conversation based on trust, transparency and vulnerability.

FAQ's

I am offering online/telehealth sessions for ongoing psychotherapy, consultation, and coaching clients. I am also accepting new clients in my practice via telehealth. The platform used is HIPPA compliant and safe. Simply find a safe and quiet place and make some time. You can utilize your phone, tablet or laptop for these sessions.
A psychologist or clinical psychologist (to be specific) is an individual who has attained her Ph.D. degree in Clinical Psychology at an accredited school. A Psychiatrist is an individual who attained their M.D. in psychiatry following medical school. The main difference between the two is a psychiatrist can prescribe medication. Psychologists do not prescribe medication, but are experts in assessing, diagnosing and treating mental and/or behavioral health issues and disorders via various approaches that are mainly evidence-based. Psychologists collaborate closely with psychiatrists and should clients need medication, they are the perfect referral source to psychiatry, and vice versa. Psychiatrists who mostly prescribe medication refer client’s out for psychotherapy to psychologists.
Depression and anxiety could be mixed up as much as they can be mixed, as they could actually present themselves together. Sometimes individuals with high levels of anxiety think they are depressed, and some patients are actually both anxious and depressed (chicken or the egg problem – anxiety led to depression; depression led to anxiety). However, the main difference would be the thought process and ways one deals with it, aside from some underlying symptoms. Anxiety tends to have people hold back due to fear of failure of some sort, whereas depression tends to have people stay back due to lack of motivation and lack of energy.
Before your first appointment with Dr. Emrani, you will be emailed a couple of documents on a HIPPA compliant portal. It will take about 10-15 minutes or less to complete. This will allow the first appointment to be focused on you. During your 60 minutes intake appointment, I will learn more about you and provide you with some more information about the practice. We discuss your goals, what you would want to get out of therapy, and/or together we come to an understanding of what would be the next step in terms of therapy and more.
My expertise and focus are mainly around general mental health challenges, including Depression, Anxiety (social/general), Stress Management, Sleep difficulties, and ADHD treatment. I am trained in treating other conditions, including Trauma, Bipolar, and Addiction. However, my primary mission is to provide the best services to my clients. Hence, if one comes in with a psychiatric condition that I am unfamiliar with or do not know how to best treat, I will happily find the right resource and refer that client out and make sure they are in good hands. My goal is for my clients or anyone who knocks at my door to get the best service there is, whether that will be with me or someone else who is more suitable.

I follow evidence-based approaches that, over time, have proven efficacy in many trials. I meet my clients where they are at, and depending on their needs, I offer one of the evidence-based approaches or combine it to help them towards their goals. Some of those treatments include Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), and more. For more detailed approaches and training, please check out my bio.

I consider myself a practical, goal-oriented humanistic psychologist. I meet my client’s where they are at. To the best of my ability, I make sure they get what they expect from therapy. My practice’s main motto is: Something learned at every session. That could be something one learns about themself, or some new tools about how to conquer the next best thing or overcome a challenging situation. I practice mindfully and employ the utmost respect and understanding of cultural diversity and its impact on my client’s lives. Culture plays a significant role in shaping all of our lives, and it does play into our psyche and mental health. These combined make me a little different than others around the FiDi area.

I accept credit card (debit, credit), cash, check. Full payments are due at the time of service.

I am an out of network provider, meaning I do not accept any insurance. However, I provide superbills/invoices that clients could submit to their insurance for some reimbursement. I encourage my clients to contact their insurance to ask for their reimbursement rates, as some do not reimburse.

As soon as you contact me, we schedule a quick call to get some information down, and once we decide to move forward, we can schedule your first intake appointment. This appointment is for us to get to know each other and for you to determine if I would be a good fit, and for me to decide whether I can deliver on what you need and meet your expectations. Most of the time, after the first session, we would know whether its best to move forward. The treatment mainly begins following the intake session(s) – sometimes intake sessions may take a bit longer than just one session.

I have a saying: treatment may begin the moment you reach out – that is the first step you have taken for yourself, and that is plenty!

No, I do not prescribe medication (for more explanation, refer to the question about the difference between psychiatry vs. psychologist). However, I am connected to well-versed psychiatrists around the city, and should you be interested in medication or we thought it might be a good idea together, I can provide referrals and get you in touch.

It is important to note; when I refer you on, I am not responsible for your treatment and medication. It is just guidance to get you connected, should you be interested.

You know when you know. The critical aspect of treatment in psychotherapy is it is not magic, and it does not happen instantly. It takes time. Therapy is an investment in yourself and your mind. As every good thing takes time, treatment in therapy takes time as brain mechanisms are being worked, some new neurons are being created, and new stronger brain muscles are being built. Depending on your goals, and how specific they are, and how much you are applying it outside therapy dictates being on track. That being said, there is no thermometer measuring whether it is working or not, clients know whether what we are working on is aligned with their goals and is working, most of the time the answer is yes.

I will happily refer you to a person who possibly can. It can and will happen, particularly when I encounter individuals where my approach or practice will not be helpful or suitable or where I’m not experienced in a specific condition. Hence, I will happily consult with others and provide guidance and refer a client to a more suitable therapist. The most important thing for me is my client’s improvement and their health, if not me, someone else may be better, and that I believe is a good practice.
Contact me at my office on tel:929-300-5152 or email Dr Tara Emrani

My office is located at 140 Broadway, New York, 10005, NY