Guide to Mental Health Professionals, 2008 Edition
Introduction

The Mental Health Association in Tompkins County is pleased to offer this revised and updated Guide to Mental Health Professionals, 2008 Edition.

The purpose of the guide is to provide reliable information about local mental health professionals for people seeking services. It is also available in hard/written copy.

Suggestions Concerning Use of This Guide

Each therapist's page provides detailed information including fees, insurance accepted, techniques, credentials and office information. It is useful to initially contact several therapists in order to find one who most closely fits your needs. Make sure you ask questions regarding fees and insurance, since these things change often.

Professional Status

The minimum qualifications for inclusion in the Guide to Mental Health Professionals, as set by the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Association in Tompkins County, are:

1. A graduate degree in social work, psychology, psychiatry, counseling, psychiatric nursing, or related degrees in psychotherapy; and/or

2. Appropriate licensure, certification, or other documentation of appropriate professional standing. This may include a supervised clinical internship or clinical supervision as cited by the New York State Office of the Professions; and

3. No record of professional misconduct.

All of the information in the Guide to Mental Health Professionals comes from questionnaires completed by the individual psychotherapists. Professional status of each psychotherapist has been verified by the Mental Health Association in Tompkins County with The New York State Department of Education or a professional organization or agency.

There are two primary sources of professional status. One is The New York State Department of Education, which certifies or licenses professionals (including Social Worker, Psychologist, Physician and Nurse). In addition to passing a rigorous test, these professionals are required to meet high standards for education and clinical practice.

The second source of professional status is membership in professional organizations/agencies with a code of ethics. These organizations also require clinical members to meet high standards for education and clinical practice.

Each therapist's listing in the Guide to Mental Health Professionals indicates his or her professional status.

Insurance Reimbursements

A Certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker may qualify for insurance reimbursement on the basis of three or six years of experience, pursuant to Insurance Law, section 3221(I)(4)(A) or 4303(i), which simply means that in most cases your insurance company will cover (depending on your plan) or simply reimburse you if you go to a Ph.D. or LCSW for therapy. All insurance companies are different; yours may even reimburse you to see an LMSW or pastoral counselor. It is always wise to contact your insurance company first or refer to your Insurance Plan Policy regarding the coverage and compensation to which you are entitled.

Consumer Protection

Professional status offers some protection to the consumer. The State or the therapist's professional organization will respond to complaints made by consumers. Consumers may complain to The Office of Professional Discipline of the New York State Education Department or to the professional organization involved. The Mental Health Association in Tompkins County can assist consumers in this process. The MHATC does not have the legal power to prevent or prohibit a person from practicing his or her profession. This association does, however, have the right to remove a person from the Guide to Mental Health Professionals if there is a substantiated report of professional misconduct.

If you have any questions about professional misconduct, please contact The Mental Health Association in Tompkins County at (607) 273-9250.

Glossary and Additional Information

To view the certification and licensure requirements for most degrees or credentials listed below, click on the link for any degree or credential to visit that listing, either on the New York State Department of Education site or that of the appropriate organization or agency. (Not all degrees and credentials are linked.)