Frequently Asked Questions

Elisha Beinart, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in individual, couples, and premarital therapy on the Upper West Side. Licensed in both New York and New Jersey, with in-person and virtual sessions available.

In-network with Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (Carelon Behavioral Health), and Medicare.

Areas of focus:anxiety · depression · grief · life transitions · relationship patterns · individual therapy, couples therapy & premarital counseling

  • How do I get started?
    Reach out by phone or email to set up a time to talk. There's no pressure. It's simply a chance to share what's bringing you to therapy and see if we're a good fit before committing to ongoing sessions. From there, if it feels right, we'll schedule your first full session, in-person or virtually.

    What happens in the first session?
    The first session is an opportunity for us to begin getting to know one another. I will ask questions about what brings you to therapy, your current concerns, and relevant personal history. The first meeting is also a space for you to ask questions about my approach. Finding the right therapeutic fit is important. You deserve to feel comfortable, understood, and supported.

    Do you offer virtual therapy?
    Yes, sessions are available both in-person at my Upper West Side office and virtually by video, so you can choose whatever fits your schedule and comfort level that week. Many clients move between the two depending on what's going on in their life. Virtual sessions are just as effective as in-person for most people, and some find it easier to open up from a familiar space.

  • What are the fees?
    Individual Sessions: $250
    Couples Sessions: $300
    Premarital Counseling: $300

    Payments are accepted via Credit Card, Zelle, and Health Savings Account (HSA).

    What insurances are in-network?
    I am an in-network provider for Aetna, Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (Carelon Behavioral Health), and Medicare. For out-of-network benefits, I will provide you with a monthly receipt (a superbill) to submit to your insurance for partial reimbursement. You may also use a health savings account (HSA) to cover psychotherapy costs.

  • What is psychodynamic therapy?
    Psychodynamic therapy is based on the idea that our current struggles are often connected to earlier life experiences, relationships, and unconscious patterns. Sometimes we repeat the same emotional cycles without fully understanding why. In therapy, we gently explore these patterns together. As you gain insight into the deeper roots of your feelings and behaviors, you develop greater self-awareness.

    What can individual therapy help with?
    Individual therapy can help with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, grief, self-esteem, life transitions, and trauma, as well as difficulty managing intense emotions or recurring relationship patterns. You don't need a specific diagnosis to start therapy. Many clients come in simply feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from themselves, and we work together to understand what's underneath that and build toward lasting change.

    How long does therapy take?
    Psychodynamic therapy is often a longer-term process. While some clients experience alleviation early on, meaningful and lasting change takes time. Because we focus on understanding deeper patterns and the roots of emotional struggles, therapy is not typically a quick fix. The length of therapy, including how many sessions you'll need, depends on your goals, but many clients choose to continue beyond short-term symptom relief in order to create deeper, more sustainable change. Couples therapy and premarital counseling start with 12 sessions and will be reevaluated for continued treatment.

    How often do we meet?
    Therapy works best when it becomes a steady and consistent part of your routine. Meeting weekly gives us the opportunity to build trust, reflect thoughtfully, and stay connected to the work we're doing.

  • What is premarital counseling?
    Premarital counseling is a structured space for couples to talk through the big questions before marriage, such as communication styles, values, expectations around family and finances, and how you handle conflict together. Sessions start with a 12-session structure and are reevaluated from there based on what's most useful for you as a couple. It's a chance to build a strong foundation intentionally, rather than working through these questions for the first time after the wedding.

  • Where is your office located?
    My office is on the Upper West Side, at 451 West End Avenue, near Riverside Park and Central Park West, with easy access via the 1, 2, and 3 trains. Whether you live in the neighborhood or are commuting in from elsewhere in the city, the office is easy to get to.

    I am licensed in both New York and New Jersey, so virtual sessions are available to clients located in either state if in-person isn't convenient or you're not local to the Upper West Side.

Let's Start Now