Philosophy

Dr. S specializes in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and views the therapeutic process as a mutual endeavor between therapist and client that provides a healing space to help you become more in touch with your authentic self. With your ways of relating to yourself and others being acquired during early life, such patterns will invariably manifest in therapy and provide an ideal opportunity to examine and work through painful emotional experiences and relational trauma.

Contrary to models of therapy focused on deficiencies and diagnosis of “mental disorders,” Dr. S takes a holistic perspective that views and treats the person as an interconnected being - including mind, body, and spirit. While aiming to evaluate and address realistically the patterns that contribute to past and present difficulties, Dr. S seeks to help you discover the beauty in your story and remove the obstacles that prevent you from moving forward on your path with greater peace and joy.

Looking beyond the mere removal of symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, Dr. S gears psychotherapy towards a greater overall sense of well-being and inner alignment that leads to a more meaningful and purposeful existence. With her approach being grounded in relational psychoanalytic concepts that emphasize the therapeutic relationship as being vital in the healing process, Dr. S combines her clinical training with her intuitive abilities to tailor treatment to your individual needs.

Services

Dr. S provides individual therapy, couples therapy, and psychological evaluations to adults of all ages with a wide range of difficulties. With symptoms being symbolic of inner conflicts, in treatment we gradually uncover and come to understand the meaning and unconscious dynamics of your problems. A psychoanalytic approach to therapy is particularly well-suited when your difficulties are pervasive and repetitive, such as long-standing interpersonal problems, a vague sense of self and purpose, addictions, or chronic depression and anxiety.

For the initial consultation, Dr. S will meet with you for 60 minutes to establish an understanding of who you are, your past, present concerns, and what you hope to gain from therapy. This initial meeting is also an opportunity to determine goodness of fit and to decide if working together is best suited to your particular needs.

Therapy sessions are typically conducted on a weekly basis, though frequency will be determined collaboratively based on your individual needs and desires. For various reasons, some may benefit from deeper, more intensive treatment where sessions take place two or three times per week. Dr. S generally does not recommend meeting less than once per week, as infrequent sessions make it more difficult to generate change and experience notable improvements. While standard therapy sessions are 50 minutes in length, extended sessions may be preferable in some instances and can be arranged on a case-by-case basis for an additional fee.

Areas of Specialty

  • Depth-oriented psychotherapy can be profoundly transformative. Gaining a deeper understanding of who you are and your purpose is beneficial in improving functioning and well-being across multiple life domains. By discovering your “why,” you’ll begin to feel more aligned and are able to move through challenges with greater sense of clarity and direction.

    Dr. Schulhofer specializes in working with high-performers and ambitious professionals, such as C-Suite executives, athletes, artists, psychotherapists, and other medical professionals.

  • Trauma takes many forms - it impacts your relationship with yourself, others, and diminishes your capacity to feel safe in the world. As a result of trauma, you may feel disconnected, experience drastic changes in mood, and may struggle to form consistent and meaningful relationships.

    Dr. Schulhofer’s clinical and research interests have focused on treating survivors of childhood sexual trauma, dissociative disorders, and borderline personality disorder.

  • Our ways of relating to others, including interpersonal expectations, communication style, and boundaries are often a reflection of the relationship we have with ourselves. In gaining insight into your attachment patterns, sense of self, needs and fears, your ability to establish and maintain meaningful relationships is likely to improve.

Evaluations

  • Assessment of personality traits, behavioral tendencies, and interpersonal qualities presents a unique opportunity to enhance self-knowledge and complement the therapeutic process.

    Please schedule a consultation to explore options of combining personality testing with your initial evaluation prior to starting psychotherapy.

  • Dr. Schulhofer provides comprehensive psychodiagnostic and psychoeducational testing for adolescents and adults, including assessment of intellectual, cognitive, and emotional functioning.

    Psychological testing is an invaluable tool in providing diagnostic clarification, to enhance treatment planning, and to objectively establish strengths and weaknesses.

    Evaluations include Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) screenings and IQ testing for academic placements.

Investment

Please contact us directly to discuss fees.

Payment is due at time of service. Check, Zelle, and all major credit cards are accepted. A card will be required to schedule an initial appointment, and will kept on file to be billed the day of your session, unless otherwise agreed upon.

Due to constraints that insurance companies impose upon your confidentiality and psychologists’ freedom to provide individually-tailored care, Dr. S does not take insurance. However, she can provide a monthly invoice for you to submit to your health insurance for out-of-network benefits for possible reimbursement, if you so choose. Please check with your provider to determine if services may partially be covered by your insurance.

Dr. S offers a limited amount of sliding scale spots for few therapy patients who are unable to afford her full fee. Such reduced rates are determined based on your financial need and her availability. Please reach out to discuss your particular circumstances.

Please note that at least 24 hours prior to scheduled appointments are required for cancellations. For no-shows and cancellations within 24 hours before the appointment, your credit card that is kept on file will be charged the full fee. If her schedule allows, you may be able to reschedule within the same week, or instead be able to add an additional session on a future week.

Good Faith Estimate Notice

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.

Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.

If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.

Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 800-985-3059.