New York State
Therapy in New York City
Complex trauma usually isn't one event you can point to. It's what happens when the conditions lasted long enough that staying alert stopped feeling like a response and started feeling like who you are.
Working together from New York City
How this actually works
Weekly sessions are telehealth, from wherever you are in the city when the hour starts — your apartment, a room at work with a door, a car parked somewhere quiet. The one exception is ketamine-assisted therapy, which happens in person, at Melanie's office in Manhattan or in your home, with the screening, prescribing and medical oversight held by a separate independent licensed medical provider rather than by her. Everything else is telehealth, and you need to be physically in New York State at the time of each session. That is a licensing rule rather than a preference, and it means a move out of state, even a temporary one, changes what's possible.
Why people get in touch
What brings people here
Pace before depth
Trauma work that outruns your nervous system isn't trauma work. Sessions are 50 minutes, usually weekly, and the pacing is part of the method rather than a delay before the real work. Somatic and experiential psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems, and Inner Relationship Focusing all sit inside that. Therapy outcomes are not guaranteed.
When you've already done therapy
Many of the people who come here have been in therapy before. It worked — they understood the patterns, named where they came from, got somewhere real — and then the change stalled. Understanding a survival response and being out of one are two different jobs. Insight alone rarely shifts a survival response.
Built for a working week
Telehealth removes the travel on both ends, which is often what makes weekly possible at all. The first step is a free consultation of 15 to 20 minutes, by video or phone, with no obligation. Individual psychotherapy is $235 per session. The practice is out-of-network with all insurance plans and provides a monthly superbill you can submit yourself.
FAQ
Questions from New York City
Do you see clients in person in New York City?
Only for ketamine-assisted therapy, which takes place in person at my office in Manhattan or in your home. The medical side — screening, prescribing and oversight — is handled by a separate independent licensed medical provider, never by me. Weekly psychotherapy is telehealth, including for clients who live a few blocks from that office.
I live in the city but travel for work. Does that change anything?
Weekly therapy takes place via telehealth. I am licensed in New York and can only offer psychotherapy services to people who reside in New York State. You also need to be physically located in New York State at the time of each session, so we plan around the weeks you're away. Twenty-four hours' notice is needed to cancel or reschedule, or the full fee applies.
What does it cost, and can I use my insurance?
$235 per session, 50 minutes, usually weekly. I am out-of-network with all insurance plans and there is no sliding scale. You get a monthly superbill to submit to your plan, though out-of-network reimbursement is never guaranteed. A Good Faith Estimate is available.
What if I'm not safe between sessions?
If you are in danger right now, call or text 988 or dial 911. This site isn't a crisis service and email is not monitored for emergencies. A weekly outpatient hour isn't built to hold an emergency, and part of my job on the consultation is to say so if someone else would serve you better.
How does someone start?
With the free 15 to 20 minute consultation, by video or phone. Booking goes through Carepatron, and you can reach me at melanie@embodiedwithmelanie.com. Nothing is committed to on that call.
Start with a free consultation
A short conversation to see whether we would be a good fit for working together. Weekly therapy takes place via telehealth. I am licensed in New York and can only offer psychotherapy services to people who reside in New York State.