At Balance Within Psychological Services, we believe growth happens when people feel truly seen, supported, and understood.
Co-founded by two licensed psychologists Dr. Megan Derisse and Dr. Kristen Tobias, our practice is built on several years of professional collaboration. We share a vision of providing compassionate, evidence-based psychological services that help individuals achieve a greater sense of balance and well-being.
A central theme in our work is equanimity, a state of calm, stability, and inner strength even in the face of life’s challenges. This idea, together with the balance between acceptance and change that Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes, inspired the name of our practice: Balance Within.
How We help:
We provide virtual psychotherapy services via a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform. We support adults navigating a wide range of concerns, such as:
At Balance Within, we believe that seeking support for your mental health is a courageous and empowering step. We know that stigma and misconceptions can make seeking help difficult. We’re committed to raising awareness and we’re here to walk alongside you on your journey toward balance and healing.
To help you find balance, cultivate a deeper sense of meaning and purpose, and support your overall well-being.
We are committed to serving a diverse community and are passionate about inclusivity.
We invite you to connect with us. Schedule a free 10-minute consultation to see how we can support you on your journey.
Licensed psychologists with specialized training in DBT, mindfulness, and other evidence-based psychological services.
We honor your lived experience and tailor treatment to your individual needs using a Whole Health approach.
A warm, inclusive, and judgment-free space for healing and growth.
We help you find balance, clarity, emotional well-being.
No. Balance Within is a fully virtual therapy practice. All sessions are conducted online using a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform.
Yes. Research shows that virtual therapy is as effective as in-person therapy for many concerns. Patients may also find it more accessible and feel more comfortable meeting from their own space."
Yes. All sessions at Balance Within Psychological Services are conducted using HIPAA-compliant technology designed to protect your privacy.
Therapy services are available to adults (18 and older) who are physically located in New York or New Jersey at the time of the session, in accordance with licensing regulations.
To ensure privacy, we expect patients to be in a private location where they feel comfortable speaking openly and won’t be interrupted. Balance Within providers are located in a private office space.
You can get started by filling out the contact form to schedule a consultation or calling us at (917) 267-9255. We’ll follow up to discuss next steps.
We are considered out-of-network with all insurance companies. This means that we do not accept any insurance plans or bill insurance companies directly. Patients pay us directly and can submit for reimbursement from their insurance company if they have out-of-network mental health benefits. We provide the necessary documentation to request reimbursement. The client is responsible for full payment at the time of service.
Out-of-network mental health benefits are part of some insurance plans. These benefits typically cover between 50% to 80% of the cost of mental health treatment.
We encourage patients to call the number on their insurance card in advance to ask questions such as:
• Do I have out-of-network benefits for outpatient mental health services?
• Are telehealth sessions covered under my out-of-network benefits?
• Do I have an out-of-network deductible, and if so, how much is it?
• Is there a limit to the number of sessions covered per year?
• What percentage of the session fee will be reimbursed?
• Is there a maximum reimbursement amount per session (a “usual and customary” rate)?
• What documentation do I need to submit for reimbursement?
• Do I need a superbill or any specific forms from my therapist?
• How do I submit a request for reimbursement (i.e., claim)?
• How long does it typically take to receive reimbursement?
Fees for services are listed below:
Individual: 45 minutes, $300 per session
Limited sliding scale rates for individual psychotherapy may be available and are determined on a case-by case basis.
DBT group: 90 minutes, $100 per session
Couples therapy: 60 minutes, $325 per session
Mindfulness groups, assessment services, workshops, and supervision options differ in format, duration, and pricing. Contact us for more details.
The number of sessions required varies depending on individual needs. Some patients find that short-term therapy (approximately 8 to 20 sessions) provides sufficient relief and allows them to achieve their treatment goals. Patients who have more complex concerns and treatment goals may benefit from longer term treatment.
Individual sessions are typically weekly, though frequency can be adjusted as needed.
Participation in our DBT program requires attending weekly group therapy and maintaining regular individual sessions, either with a Balance Within provider or an outside provider.
Under the No Surprises Act, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of the expected costs of medical and mental health care. A Good Faith Estimate outlines the anticipated cost of services. The estimate is provided to patients who do not have insurance or choose not to use their insurance. Please note that this is an estimate and that actual costs may vary depending on a range of factors. This is further discussed in the consent process and can be part of an ongoing conversation with your clinician.
Cancellations require 24-hour advance notice. You may cancel the session by calling, messaging, or emailing us at least 24 hours in advance.
Cancellations made less than 24 hours before a scheduled appointment will be charged 50% of the full session fee.
If your clinician needs to cancel a session, we will try our best to offer alternative days and times for a make-up appointment.
We work with patients experiencing a wide range of concerns, including trauma, depression, anger, anxiety, insomnia, emotions that feel out of control, suicidal thoughts or feelings of hopelessness, relational challenges, the emotional impact of cancer, and adjustment to chronic illness and pain, among others. We welcome the opportunity to speak with you to determine whether one of our clinicians may be a good fit.
At this time, we do not provide services to children. We provide services to adults ages 18 and above.
Your first appointment provides an opportunity to begin building comfort, trust, and a shared understanding. Here’s what we’ll generally cover in that first meeting:
• A conversation to learn more about you and what brought you in
• Clarifying what you’re hoping to accomplish in therapy
• Talking through your experiences, patterns, or stressors that feel important
• Beginning to outline a direction or plan for our work together
• Answering any questions or concerns you have
Therapy is a process, and progress can look different for everyone. Some signs people notice include:
• Feeling more grounded, hopeful, or emotionally steady
• Understanding your thoughts, emotions, and patterns with greater clarity
• Feeling more equipped to respond to stress and manage difficult emotions
• Creating new habits that include enhancing coping skills and decreasing unhelpful behaviors
• Setting healthier boundaries and honoring your limits
• Communicating more effectively and strengthening relationships
We’ll check in regularly about how things are going so we can adjust our work whenever needed. Your feedback is always welcome and helps us stay aligned with your goals. Therapy is most effective when it feels collaborative; when you sense that you’re growing, supported, and moving in a direction that feels right for you.
Contact us for a 10-minute consultation. Click “View Availability” to schedule a video consultation or call us.
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