FAQs

  • Licensed Psychologist: A licensed psychologist has a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD), which usually means they’ve completed 5–7 years of graduate school after college. They’re trained to provide therapy and can also do psychological testing or evaluations (like ADHD or learning disability assessments). They’ve completed thousands of hours of supervised training and are fully licensed by the state.

    Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC): An LMHC has a master’s degree in mental health counseling, which typically takes 2–3 years after college. They’ve also completed all of their supervised clinical hours and are fully licensed to provide therapy independently.

    Mental Health Counselor with a Limited Permit (MHC-LP): An MHC-LP has already earned their master’s degree and is in the final stage of becoming fully licensed. They’re still completing the required hours of supervised experience under the guidance of a licensed professional. They can still provide therapy and are qualified to support clients - they’re just working under supervision as part of the licensing process.

    No matter who you work with on our team, you’ll receive thoughtful, high-quality care. All MHC-LPs are carefully supervised by Dr. Kiara Manosalvas to make sure clients are supported every step of the way.

  • At Vida Sana Psychology & Wellness, we currently do not accept insurance. We understand this can be a barrier, and we want to be upfront about our decision. We are in the process of becoming paneled with Aetna, and we are also actively exploring ways to make therapy more accessible for historically marginalized communities who have too often been excluded from high-quality care.

    Communities of color deserve effective, affirming, and transformative therapy. At the same time, we also believe in being transparent: most insurance companies reimburse therapists at very low rates, or deny payment altogether after services have already been provided. This leads to high caseloads, burnout, and less time and energy for the clients who need us most.

    Our commitment at Vida Sana is to provide excellent, culturally responsive care without compromising the well-being of our clinicians. That’s why our therapists keep sustainable caseloads and dedicate more time to each client—so the care you receive is thoughtful, thorough, and deeply intentional.

    Our fees are set at the average market rate for licensed mental health counselors and psychologists in New York City. To help increase access, each clinician reserves a limited number of sliding-scale or pro bono spots for clients with significant financial need. These spaces are intentionally held for those who would otherwise be unable to access therapy.

    We believe therapy should be accessible, but not at the cost of clinicians burning themselves out. At Vida Sana, we strive to model the very balance and wellbeing we hope to help you build.

  • We offer sessions online, in-person, and hybrid - whatever works best for you.

    Online sessions are held through a secure platform called SimplePractice, which follows all ethical and privacy guidelines to protect your information.

    If you’d prefer to meet in person, our office is located at: 138 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10001

  • Sessions are typically 45–50 minutes long. This gives us enough time to check in, explore what’s coming up for you, and work toward your goals in a focused way.

  • That depends on your needs and preferences. Most clients start with weekly sessions to build momentum and consistency. Over time, some choose to move to biweekly or a different schedule based on their goals and progress. We’ll figure out what feels right for you, together.

  • Yes, therapy is a confidential space. This means that what you share in sessions stays between you and your therapist. We take your privacy seriously and are committed to creating a space where you can feel safe and supported.

    However, under New York State law, there are a few situations where your therapist is legally required to break confidentiality:

    • If you are in immediate danger of seriously harming yourself or someone else.

    • If we suspect abuse or neglect of a child, elderly person, or dependent adult.

    • If we are ordered by a court to release records (such as in certain legal proceedings).

    If any of these situations ever come up, your therapist will do their best to talk with you about it beforehand and involve you in the process when possible.

  • Sí, hablamos español. Puedes enviarnos un correo electrónico a hello@vidasanapsychology.com si tienes preguntas sobre nuestros servicios o si prefieres comunicarte en español.