Frequently Asked Questions
What are your hours?
CMFT is open Monday - Saturday. Appointment availability can vary depending on the therapist. Clients are seen by appointment only. Email us or set up a free 15 min consultation to determine if our schedule will fit yours. Click below.
Do you offer Virtual or in person sessions?
We are only offering virtual therapy sessions at this time.
Do you accept insurance?
In-nework:
Collaborative MFT is an in-network provider with most Aetna commercial and student plans. We are NOT a provider for Aetna Medicaid or Medicare. We will always perform an estimate of your out of pocket costs using Aetna’s “Patient Cost Estimator”.
Out-of-network:
Collaborative Marriage and Family TherapyTherapy services are often reimbursable by most commercial insurance companies. We work with many insurance companies as “out-of-network” providers, such as Oxford, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United Behavioral Health. If you’d like to use your “out-of-network” benefits, a receipt will be provided to you, which you will then submit to your insurance provider. Please check with your insurance provider to confirm your eligibility for reimbursement.
Is Couples Therapy covered by insurance?
Insurance Disclaimer for Couples Therapy
Please note that while most insurance companies do not reimburse for couples therapy per se, they may cover conjoint therapy sessions when there is a medically necessary reason for treatment. This requires that one insured partner be identified as the primary client. This partner must be experiencing diagnosable mental health symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, or related concerns.
In order to meet insurance requirements, we must document a primary diagnosis and establish medical necessity for treatment. This means the focus of therapy must include addressing the symptoms and needs of the identified individual, even if both partners participate in sessions.
We are happy to submit claims (Aetna) or provide a superbill (all other Insurance providers) for potential reimbursement, but coverage is ultimately determined by your insurance provider. We encourage you to contact them directly with questions about your in-network and out-of-network benefits for conjoint psychotherapy (CPT code 90847).
Are there any fees not covered by Insurance?
Please note that some services may not be eligible for insurance reimbursement. This may include services that exceed the plan’s allotted session time, services not considered “medically necessary” by insurance reviewers, or services not covered under your specific plan. Any service not reimbursed by insurance is the financial responsibility of the client or responsible party.
Late Cancellation or “No Show” Fees are not covered by insurance. We have a 48hr cancellation policy. In order to avoid the cancellation fee, we ask that you please provide us with advanced notice.
What are your fees and how do you accept payment?
Payment is due at time of service, unless a prior payment plan is arranged. CMFT accepts payment in the form of credit card, HSA or FSA card, using our secure online portal.
Fees are based on either your health insurance’s contracted rate or the Therapist's level. There are four levels of therapists at CMFT: Senior Licensed Therapist, Licensed Therapist, Associate Therapist, and Intern Therapist. For a 45min session, the fee range is $100-$300. The cost is based on time spent and is the same amount for couples, family and individual therapy sessions.
Our Affordable Therapy program is led by the Masters Degree Level Intern Therapist. Fees average $100 per 45min and are based on financial need and sliding fee scale.
Do you have a sliding fee scale?
We have low cost counseling services available via our Affordable Therapy program. Therapy is provided by a supervised Mental Health Practitioner who is a Masters Degree Level Intern. Supervision is provided by the Clinical Director, Dana M. Galante, LMFT. The fee for service is $100 per 45 min session and adjusted based on financial need.
We aim to provide access to care for all in our community. Please inquire about our sliding fee scale and how it may apply to your situation. With this service, we are able to take your current financial situation into account when setting up session fees and payment plans.
How long will I be in therapy?
Services last as long as you and your provider agree they are necessary. CMFT holds the belief that we all need a “tune up” periodically and that life transitions are more easily handled with support and guidance. We provide cost-effective, short-term, and results-oriented services while becoming a resource to turn to every time you are in need.
How often are the sessions?
Sessions are scheduled on a weekly basis. As you approach the “ending phase” of treatment and your goals are being reached, sessions will begin to be tapered off and entered into maintenance sessions as needed.
How do I get started?
To get started, please set up a free 15 minute video consultation to determine if we are the right fit for you. You can book a consult with either the practice owner, Dana M. Galante, LMFT to discuss your the options. Or book directly with any of the available therapists on our team.
Who are Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs)?
Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are mental health professionals trained in psychotherapy and family systems, and licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage, couples and family systems. MFTs treat a wide range of serious clinical problems including: depression, marital problems, anxiety, individual psychological problems and child-parent problems.
What are the qualifications of MFTs?
MFTs have graduate training (Master's or Doctoral degree) in Marriage and Family Therapy and at least two years of clinical experience. Marriage and Family Therapy is recognized as a "core" mental health profession, along with Psychiatry, Psychology, Social Work and Psychiatric Nursing.
What is the difference between a therapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist?
A therapist (like an LMFT or LCSW) provides talk therapy and counseling. A psychologist (PhD or PsyD) also provides therapy and can conduct psychological testing. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication. At CMFT, our therapists are licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) and associates — we specialize in talk therapy for individuals, couples, and families, but do not prescribe medication.
How do I know if I need therapy?
You don't need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Many people come to CMFT because they feel stuck, disconnected, overwhelmed, or simply want to understand themselves better. Common reasons people start therapy include relationship conflict, anxiety, life transitions, grief, parenting stress, or a sense that something feels "off" but they can't quite name it. If you've been thinking about it, that's often reason enough to try a free consultation.
What happens in a first therapy session?
Your first session is an intake — a chance for your therapist to understand what brings you in, your history, and your goals. For couples, both partners share their perspective on what's been happening in the relationship. You'll also have a chance to ask questions and get a sense of whether the therapist feels like a good fit. Most people leave their first session feeling heard and with a clearer sense of direction.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes. Everything discussed in therapy is confidential. There are a small number of legal exceptions — such as if there is an imminent risk of harm to yourself or others, or if child or elder abuse is disclosed — but outside of those situations, your therapist cannot share anything you discuss without your written consent. We take your privacy seriously and follow all HIPAA requirements.
What is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples?
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is one of the most researched and effective approaches to couples therapy. Developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, EFT helps couples identify the negative cycles they get stuck in — the pursuer/withdrawer dynamic, the demand/defend pattern — and understand the attachment needs and fears underneath them. Rather than just teaching communication skills, EFT helps couples build a deeper emotional bond and a more secure attachment. At CMFT, EFT is the foundation of our couples work.
Can therapy save a marriage or relationship?
Research shows that couples therapy — especially EFT — is effective for about 70-75% of couples, with many experiencing significant improvement in relationship satisfaction. Therapy works best when both partners are willing to engage, even if one is more hesitant than the other. That said, therapy isn't always about saving a relationship — sometimes it helps couples navigate a separation or transition with more clarity and less pain. We meet you where you are.
What if my partner doesn't want to come to couples therapy?
It's more common than you'd think. Individual therapy can still be very helpful for relationship issues — working on your own patterns, communication style, and responses can shift the dynamic in a relationship even without your partner present. If your partner is open to it, a free consultation with one of our therapists can sometimes help them feel more comfortable with the idea of starting. We never pressure anyone into therapy.
Is teletherapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Yes — research consistently shows that teletherapy is as effective as in-person therapy for most concerns, including anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and trauma. Many clients actually prefer it because it removes the barrier of commuting and allows them to participate from a comfortable, private space. At CMFT, all sessions are conducted via secure video — the same evidence-based approaches we use are fully applicable in a virtual format.
Do you offer therapy to clients in New Jersey?
Yes. Several of our therapists are licensed in New Jersey and we serve clients throughout NJ via teletherapy — including Westfield, Cranford, Summit, Scotch Plains, Mountainside, and across Union County. You don't need to be in New York City to work with CMFT. If you're in New Jersey and looking for a licensed couples or individual therapist, we'd love to connect.
Do you treat anxiety?
Yes. Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people come to CMFT, both for individual therapy and as an underlying factor in relationship difficulties. Our therapists use evidence-based approaches including IFS (Internal Family Systems), somatic regulation, and attachment-based therapy to help clients understand and work with their anxiety rather than just manage symptoms. We treat generalized anxiety, relationship anxiety, social anxiety, and anxiety related to life transitions.
Do you work with postpartum depression and anxiety?
Yes. Our therapists have specialized training or supervision in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH) and are equipped to support individuals and couples experiencing postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, birth trauma, and the broader emotional challenges of new parenthood. We also support partners who are struggling alongside a postpartum parent. If you're in the postpartum period and not feeling like yourself, you're not alone — and you don't have to wait until things get worse to reach out.
Do you work with neurodivergent clients or couples?
Yes. Our practice is neurodiversity-affirming and we welcome clients who identify as neurodivergent or who are exploring what that means for them. We have experience supporting adults navigating late-identified neurodivergence in the context of relationships and personal growth. We approach this work with curiosity and without judgment. Please note that we do not offer diagnostic testing or formal assessments.