Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer virtual therapy or only in-person sessions?

Both. I see clients in my Union Square office and via secure, HIPAA-compliant video for anyone located in New York State. Many people choose a hybrid rhythm that flexes with work or travel.

What concerns do you help with?

I specialize in substance-use recovery and eating disorders, drawing on clinical experience in NYC outpatient programs devoted to those issues before opening my private practice. Beyond those specialties, I work with adults and young adults untangling anxiety, depression, complicated family or relationship dynamics, work or creative career roadblocks, and other life transitions. Our starting point may be a specific symptom, but together we’ll track the deeper patterns that sustain it.

What is the difference between psychotherapy and psychoanalysis?

Psychotherapy in my practice usually means meeting once a week. We focus on a current concern such as anxiety, relationship strain, or creative blocks and look at how past experience shapes what is happening now, while also working on practical change. Psychoanalysis meets several times a week and allows us to stay with the material long enough for deeper, often unconscious patterns to emerge and shift. Learn more from the American Psychoanalytic Association. I suggest this approach when problems feel chronic or repetitive, for example long-standing depression, recurring relationship disappointments, or a sense of never quite being yourself.

Both approaches rely on a steady, trusting relationship. The main difference is tempo and depth: weekly therapy targets specific problems, while multi-weekly analysis addresses broader, long-standing patterns.

What distinguishes group therapy from individual sessions?

Group work is like a living laboratory: real-time reactions from peers illuminate relational patterns that individual therapy can only describe. Clients often find that insights gained in group accelerate progress in one-to-one sessions, and vice versa, creating a richer feedback loop.

Do you accept insurance, and how does out-of-network reimbursement work?

I’m an out-of-network provider. If you have a PPO plan, you may receive a significant reimbursement on my fee. I supply monthly superbills and can walk you through the simple submission apps most insurers now use.

What happens in the first session?

You’ll share what brings you in, I’ll ask clarifying questions, and together we’ll begin mapping the territory - early experiences, recent challenges, hopes for therapy. You’ll also have space to sense whether my style (collaborative, direct, and gently challenging) feels like a fit and we will explore how my questions feel for you.

How do I schedule a consultation?

Click the “Schedule a Consultation” link on any page or email me at TamarLichtmanTherapy@gmail.com.

What is your cancellation policy?

If you need to cancel or reschedule, I ask for 24 hours notice. Late cancellations or no-shows are charged at the full session rate.