What if I am in crisis or thinking about harming myself or someone else?
Dr. Deb’s practice is not an emergency service. If you are in immediate danger, please call your local emergency number, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact a crisis hotline.
What's the difference between psychotherapy and coaching with Dr. Deb?
Psychotherapy focuses on mental health, trauma, long‑standing patterns, and emotional healing and can only be offered to New York residents under her LCSW license.
Dr. Deb’s coaching practice is a distinct, non-clinical service available to clients worldwide. Unlike traditional therapy, this practice does not provide mental health diagnoses or treatment. Instead, it offers a future-focused, goal-oriented approach designed to help you navigate life transitions, leadership development, and personal growth. Whether you are looking to get unstuck, improve relationships, or design your ideal career and lifestyle, Dr. Deb provides the strategic wisdom to help you get what you want out of life.
Where is Dr. Deb Berman licensed to provide psychotherapy?
Dr. Deb is licensed in New York State.
Can I work with Dr. Deb if I live outside New York or outside the U.S.?
Yes, many clients work with Dr. Deb through coaching from Europe, the U.S., and other regions, especially expats, nomads, and people in major transitions. In those cases, you would enroll in a coaching package rather than psychotherapy.
What kinds of issues does Dr. Deb work with most often?
Common focuses include relationship and family issues, mood, sadness, feeling stuck, stress, burnout, spiritual-but-not-religious longings and seeking inner peace and wisdom, grief, trauma, big life transitions, expat/nomad life, spiritual or religious injury, LGBTQAI2+ topics, non-monogamy, kink, and sexuality questions. Many clients come because they feel “high-functioning but overwhelmed.”
What are the main ways to work with Dr. Deb Berman?
Dr. Deb offers services via video conference for clients in NY and worldwide. For those in the Netherlands, in-person sessions are available in Amsterdam. These must be pre-arranged and agreed upon by both parties.
What types of therapy and coaching does Dr. Deb Berman offer?
Dr. Deb offers three core paths: Psychotherapy for New York residents), the 6-Session Relationship/Sexuality Reset (relationship and sexuality coaching worldwide), and the 3-Month Transition Navigation Package (transition coaching worldwide).
How do I know which path is right for me?
If you live in New York and want clinical psychotherapyfor anxiety, burnout, trauma, depression, sadness, frustration, addictions, compulsions, grief, relationship stress, or feeling stuck, psychotherapy is usually the best fit.
For work on relationships or sexuality, Dr. Deb is explicitly sex, sexuality, alternative‑relationship, and gender positive, and welcomes clients exploring kink/BDSM, non‑monogamy, and gender journeys in a non‑shaming, informed space through her Relationship and Sexuality Reset
If you're in a big life transition (relocation, career shift, divorce, feeling not your best, experiencing illness, spiritual change choose the Transformation Navigation Package.
I'm not sure if I need therapy or coaching. Can Dr. Deb help me decide?
Yes, the consultation call is specifically designed to help clarify this. Dr. Deb will ask about your goals, needs, history, and location and will recommend psychotherapy, coaching, or a different resource based on your situation.
Can I do both therapy and coaching with Dr. Deb at the same time?
No. You can work with Dr. Deb either through her New York State psychotherapy practice for New York residents, or her very seperate EU-based global online coaching practice for people, well, anywhere! That said, she does sometimes use coaching techniques within pyschotherapy sessions as a proven and very effective intervention.
Is what I share confidential?
Psychotherapy clients in New York are protected by standard confidentiality laws. Coaching clients also receive a clear confidentiality agreement, recognizing that coaching is not a medical service.
How long are sessions, and how often do we meet?
Individual psychotherapy sessions are usually 50 minutes once a week. Relationship and Sexuality Reset sessions are 50 minutes weekly or biweekly, and Tranformation Navigation sessions are spread over three months, often every other week.
Is Dr. Deb sex-positive and gender-affirming?
Yes! Dr. Deb is over the moon stoked to be sex, sexuality, alternative-relationship, and gender-positive, affirming and knowledgeable! However you identify -- diverse orientations, kink/BDSM, non-monogamy, folx who are on gender journeys. Dr. Deb's practice is your safe haven.
Does Dr. Deb work with couples, polycules, and blended families?
Yes, Dr. Deb offers relationship and sexuality work with couples, polycules, and other relationship constellations, as well as blended and chosen families. This is typically offered as coaching through the Relationship/Sexuality Reset package, accessible worldwide.
What if my partner won't come to relationship work?
It is sometimes possible to begin with individual relationship-focused coaching to support you in changing your own patterns.
Is this a good fit if I'm going through a spiritual or religious shift?
Many clients are rethinking inherited beliefs or healing from spiritual injury. Her background in ministry and counseling allows for nuanced conversations about faith and spirituality.
What is Dr. Deb's cancellation policy?
Sessions require 48 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule, or the full fee for that session is charged.
Does Dr. Deb accept insurance?
Dr. Deb is generally an out-of-network provider, meaning she does not bill insurance directly. New York psychotherapy clients may receive documentation they can submit to their insurance for possible reimbursement. Coaching is not covered by insurance.
How much does it cost to work with Dr. Deb?
Each package has a clear fee structure which will be shared on the booking page and confirmed during your consultation. There are a limited number of sliding scale opening. Please schedule a free consultation with Dr. Deb, if you need to discuss your financial situation.
Does Dr. Deb offer payment plans?
Payment is typically made in installments or prior to sessions, depending on your package choice. We do offer a variety of payment options which will be made available to you on the payment screen, depending on your location.
What forms of payment does Dr. Deb accept?
Dr. Deb accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, UnionPay, JCB, Discover, and DinnersClub. You may also use Apple Pay, Google Pay, iDeal, and Klarna for those who wish to make payments.