Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I go with your practice? Why not use a service like Talkiatry or Cerebral that are less expensive?
Direct-to-consumer telehealth platforms like Talkiatry and Cerebral prioritize volume and profit over comprehensive clinical care. These companies often fail to meet established clinical guidelines and standards of care. Accurately identifying neurodevelopmental differences requires a comprehensive assessment, including standardized testing, in-depth clinical interviews, input from external observers, and careful consideration of other factors that may contribute to symptoms. When this process is bypassed, the risk of misdiagnosis or missed diagnoses increases significantly, leading to ineffective and inappropriate treatment planning.
Another crucial consideration is privacy. Many large telehealth platforms are owned by technology companies whose business models rely on collecting and monetizing user data. While they may advertise affordable rates, your personal health information might be shared with third parties or used for marketing purposes. My independent practice provides private care in accordance with the highest clinical standards and ethics, as well as federal and state regulations. In other words, I will not sell or share your private information commercial purposes.
Additionally, my practice offers personalized care with continuity - you will work directly with me throughout your evaluation and treatment process, rather than seeing different providers at each visit. This allows for deeper understanding of your unique profile and more tailored care planning.
What does neuroaffirming or neurodiversity-affirming mean?
Neuroaffirming (or neurodiversity-affirming) care recognizes that neurological differences are natural variations in human development rather than deficits that need to be "fixed." This approach focuses on identifying a person's unique strengths and understanding their individual needs, rather than viewing them through the lens of disorder or dysfunction.
Consider autism as an example: Traditional approaches might focus on teaching an autistic person to suppress their natural responses to sensory input or to mimic non-autistic social behaviors. In contrast, a neuroaffirming approach acknowledges that an autistic person's sensory experiences and social style are valid ways of experiencing the world. The goal becomes creating accommodations and strategies that work with, rather than against, their natural ways of being.
This principle extends to all forms of neurodivergence, including ADHD, learning differences, and anxiety. A neuroaffirming provider helps clients understand their unique neurological makeup, develop self-advocacy skills, and find practical solutions that align with their natural tendencies.
What makes your comprehensive assessment services with testing unique?
Similar to a psychological or neuropsychological evaluation conducted by a psychologist, I gather comprehensive information on a person's presenting concerns, personal and family history, and functional status. I assess the brain's health and functional integrity by evaluating domains, such as cognition/intelligence, executive functioning, memory, language processing, sensorimotor functioning, emotional and behavioral regulation, and social communication skills. Additionally, I rule in/rule out other common behavioral health conditions that might mimic or worsen a person's presenting concerns, including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
In a manner similar to a psychiatric assessment, I rigorously review each client's medical history to identify any conditions that might mimic behavioral health symptoms. I can order laboratory tests to determine whether physical conditions, such as thyroid issues or vitamin deficiencies, may be contributing to a person's presenting concerns. I also conduct a comprehensive review of past and present medications to understand a person's response history, identify relevant side effects, and ensure that current prescriptions align with a client's unique needs. When appropriate or requested by the client, I can order pharmacogenetic testing (e.g., GeneSight Testing) which is particularly valuable for individuals with a history of poor responses to multiple medications.
Finally, as a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner, my scope of practice includes medication management when appropriate. For clients who complete a comprehensive in-person neuropsychiatric assessment, meet full diagnostic criteria for ADHD, and are medically appropriate candidates, I can provide long-term stimulant monitoring.
By integrating all of these methods, I offer a a truly holistic, streamlined approach that saves clients time, money, and energy by considering all relevant factors that makeup a person's unique profile.
Why choose the package that includes a report?
While not required, selecting the neuropsychiatric or psychoeducational assessment package with a report provides a comprehensive foundation for understanding and supporting your neurodivergent journey—both now and in the future. This option offers several key benefits, including:
Detailed Documentation: The report provides a thorough documentation of your assessment results, including strengths and differences. This can be invaluable for understanding your neurodivergent profile and creating tailored strategies for success.
Educational Accommodations: For students, a formal evaluation can be the key to unlocking the support they need to succeed. A comprehensive report is often essential for securing accommodations through a 504 Plan or an IEP (Individualized Education Program), ensuring students receive the resources necessary to thrive at any stage of their education.
Whether your child is in elementary school, middle school, high school, or preparing for college, academic demands will continue to grow. Without documented support, students may face unnecessary struggles in environments that aren’t designed for their learning needs. A thorough evaluation ensures they receive the accommodations, interventions, and services that can make a real difference in their educational experience.
College Board Requirements: If your child plans to request accommodations for the SAT, ACT, or other standardized tests, the College Board requires a comprehensive, multimodal assessment with formal testing of intelligence (IQ), executive functioning, and other relevant neuropsychological domains to demonstrate need. A last-minute diagnosis won’t be enough—accommodations require a well-documented, longitudinal history. To ensure your child has access to the support they need, it’s critical to plan ahead and obtain the appropriate documentation as early as possible.
Workplace Accommodations: For adults, a comprehensive report can facilitate discussions with employers about necessary workplace accommodations, ensuring you have the support needed to perform your best.
While not necessary, choosing the package with a report provides a robust foundation for understanding and supporting your neurodivergent journey, both now and in the future.
Where does this practice provide services?
My practice offers both in-person and remote services. In-person visits are primarily for testing, with occasional availability for medication management. In-person services are offered at the following locations:
-
Palette Community, 480 Broadway, LL20, Saratoga Springs, NY
-
205 Main Street, 1st Floor, Westport, CT
-
220 Fifth Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, NY (Limited availability)
What are your practice hours?
This practice is open Monday through Thursday from 8 AM until 5 PM.
Where are you licensed to provide services?
I am licensed to provide services to clients located in New York and Connecticut.
How does insurance and payment work in your practice?
As an out-of-network provider, clients pay the full fee at the time of service. However, many insurance plans offer significant out-of-network benefits that can substantially reduce your overall costs through reimbursement. The process is straightforward: you pay at each visit, I provide a detailed invoice (called a superbill), and you submit this to your insurance company for reimbursement based on your plan's coverage.
Here's a practical example: If you have a medication management follow-up that costs $200, and your insurance offers 80% reimbursement for out-of-network mental health services after your deductible is met, you would pay $200 at the time of service. Your insurance would then reimburse you $160, making your final cost $40. While actual reimbursement varies by insurance plan, many clients find this arrangement manageable given the quality of care received.
If you plan to seek reimbursement for services provided by this practice, it is strongly recommended that you verify your out-of-network mental health benefits with your insurance provider before beginning treatment.
What are the advantages of seeing an out-of-network provider?
My out-of-network model enables me to provide exceptional care by maintaining a smaller caseload and making treatment decisions based solely on clinical needs rather than insurance requirements. New clients typically begin treatment in 1-3 weeks, whereas many in-network providers have waiting lists extending several months. I don't need insurance pre-approval to start working with someone, and I am not bound by arbitrary session limits or restricted treatment approaches.
This independence allows me to offer enhanced quality of care through longer appointments when needed, more thorough assessments, and greater availability for questions between sessions. I can focus entirely on providing the best possible care you, maintaining a direct and focused working relationship without the constraints of insurance company metrics or requirements. Regardless of reimbursement, many clients consider the high-quality care provided by my practice an invaluable investment in their health and well-being.
Finally, if you are uninsured or self-pay, you have the right to request a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges prior to receiving services.
What are your fees?
Current medication management fees are listed on the medication management page. For advanced assessment and Cogmed rates, please schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation to learn about my introductory rates.
Do you offer a sliding scale?
This practice does not offer a sliding scale, but I occasionally have reduced fee spots for clients who are seeking comprehensive assessment services with testing and qualify based on financial need.
How do I obtain a superbill?
Medication management clients can obtain their superbills by going to the Invoices tab of the IntakeQ client portal. Neuropsychiatric and educational assessment clients will receive their superbills via the IntakeQ client portal within one month of completing the feedback session.
How do I get started?
Select an available time on our Google calendar to schedule your complimentary 15-minute consultation. If none of the available times work with your schedule, please email me at contact@erinmccarthyshaw.com and I'll respond within one to two business days with alternative options. I am excited to connect with you!