Call (203) 219-4686

FAQ

Where is your office?

On days when I am in person, my office is located at 303 Fifth Avenue at 31st Street in Manhattan.

Do you offer virtual sessions?
Yes. Most of my in-person clients also prefer some virtual sessions.
How long are sessions?
45 minutes
Do you accept insurance?

Not directly. I provide an invoice and a superbill so you can submit them to your insurance company. If you have out-of-network benefits, my fees, or a portion thereof, would be covered based on your individual plan.

Sometimes, I am asked why I do not accept insurance. Once on an insurance panel, the reimbursement rates are capped. Clients are reimbursed more when I am not on such panels.

Are there any benefits to paying out of pocket?
Yes. Any diagnosis label will not become part of your permanent health record or used by any other company to determine coverage; for example, life insurance companies. If you have an employer group insurance plan, no information is accessible. Treatment plans are not determined by insurance company limitations.
How do I pay for sessions?
A credit card is kept on file. Sessions are charged automatically after each session.
How do I set up an appointment?
Please call (203) 219-4686 or email annaschuchmann@illumetherapy.com.
What interventions and modalities do you use?

I borrow lots from my past career when I employ old-school investigative work, hypotheses, active listening, pattern recognition, and goal setting.

Therapeutically, I primarily work with the trauma lens, which considers how the nervous system reacts to stimuli. This broad category includes Internal Family Systems, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Attachment-based Psychotherapy, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I also lean heavily on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.

Do you give homework?
Homework is decided on a case-by-case basis. Homework is not required, but many clients ask for things to work on throughout the week. For some, this can be journaling, exposure experiments, tracking, or simply noting.
Why did you switch careers?
Numbers don’t engage or push back. I felt removed from any real impact in the banking and consulting industries. The adage, “Find a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life,” began to ring louder and louder. Add to that my love of learning, new challenges, and people’s stories, and my new path was set.
Are all your eyeglasses prescription?

Yes! My glasses express my personality on any given day. I like detail and accents, which help me set a mood for myself.

You might notice I have lots of scarves, too!