Advanced Counseling Therapies

Mr. Oster is a practical, interactive, solution-focused therapist. He is a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist and his treatment approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients resolve current problems and long-standing patterns. He incorporates a blend of conventional and alternatives approaches, drawing upon a variety of styles and techniques to incorporate what will be most helpful for each client. With sensitivity and compassion, he works with each client to help them build on their strengths to identify and achieve life goals.

Education 

      B.A.          Human Services,                  University of Massachusetts 
      M.S.W.     Masters in Social Work       Boston University

Additional Training

-Resident Internship with Massachusetts General Hospital Addictions Clinic
-Trainings in Mood Disorders ; specialization in Group work and Anxiety/Depression
-Dana Farber Cancer Institute in service trainings
-Resident Trainings in G/L/B/T issues

License, Certifications & Awards

Licensed Independent Social Worker (LICSW), State of Massachusetts
Outstanding Group Work Award, Boston University School of Social Work
Member of National Association of Social Workers
Member of Governors Commision on Gay and Lesbian Youth

Regular Hours

Monday10:00 AM - 8:00 PMTuesday10:00 AM - 8:00 PMWednesday10:00 AM - 8:00 PMThursday10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

*Early morning appointments are available upon request, if necessary.

Rates

$200.00 per Intial 50-minute Diagnostic Evaluation
$150.00 per 50-minute Psychotherapy session

$75.00 (non-insurance)per 40-minute Tele-therapy session 

$50.00 (non-insurance)per 30-minute consult

Insurance

I am a contracted provider for most commercial insurances including:
Blue Cross/Blue Shield (all products including HMO Blue/PPO/Federal/Blue Choice) I DO NOT ACCEPT ANTHEM BC/BS
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
Optum Behavioral Health
United Behavioral Health
Cigna and Cigna Behavioral Health
Beacon Health Strategies
All One Health EAP
Wellness Corp
Neighborhood Health Plan
Carelink
Tufts Health Plan
Fallon Community Health

Services may be covered in full or in part by your health insurance or employee benefit plan. Please check your coverage carefully by asking the following questions:

• Do I have mental health benefits?
• What is my deductible and has it been met?
• How many sessions per calendar year does my plan cover?
• How much does my plan cover for an out-of-network provider?
• What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
• Is approval required from my primary care physician?

Benefit Coverage/Authorization

In this age of complicated health insurance plans, most of us don’t fully understand what many of the terms that are used by health insurances regarding our plans, our coverage and what members are financially responsible for. 

IMPORTANT HEALTH INSURANCE TERMINOLOGY

Essential glossary

HMO? FSA? HDHP? A quick guide to help navigate the complicated terminology of a complicated health care system.

If you don’t know a CDHP from an HSA, you’re not alone. Yet considering that consumers are often on the hook for health care expenses, becoming fluent in health care language is essential. Here’s a quick guide to help you understand health insurance terminology and what it can mean to your wallet.

CDHP

A consumer-directed health plan generally has a higher deductible, lower monthly premiums, and requires that patients meet their deductible before insurance benefits kick in. As its name implies, patients must be proactive in managing their care by tracking expenses for out-of-network expenses. Employees pay for these expenses through paycheck deductions directed to an HSA. The CDHP is an HDHP paired with an HSA

HDHP

A high deductible health plan, defined by the Internal Revenue Service as having a minimum deductible of $1,400 for an individual or $2,800 for a family, generally has lower monthly premiums and allows for an HSA. Other than preventive care, it doesn’t cover any services such as prescription medications, emergency department visits, or visits to specialists.

PREMIUM

Is the amount you pay each month for insurance. While we think of premiums rising each year, they are actually falling in the individual market for 2020. But that doesn’t mean the cost of the plan you buy is falling. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average cost of a family plan offered by an employer is $20,000, an increase of 22 percent over five years — but employees don’t see this cost because employers pay an average of 70 percent of family coverage.

DEDUCTIBLE

You might know the word deductible from your car insurance or homeowner’s insurance. In health insurance, a deductible is the amount you have to pay as the patient before the insurance pays anything — and they have been rising. The average deductible of an employer plan is now $1,655, up from 10 years ago by $533. They can be thousands of dollars in the individual market. But most plans cover preventive services before the deductible. And some plans will cover a number of out-patient services, like office visits, before the deductible.

The amount a patient must pay before the health insurer covers health care services. This fee is in addition to monthly premiums. Services, such as preventive care, prenatal care, emergency department visits are usually covered before meeting the deductible, but check with your insurer.

CO-PAY is the fixed dollar amount you pay for a service — say, $30 to go to a doctor.

CO-INSURANCE 

is the percentage split between what you and insurance pay, perhaps you pay 20 percent for brand name drug and the insurer pays 80 percent. Finally, there is the ever-important, but little known, MOOP (Maximum Out-of-Pocket), which is the most you will ever pay in the plan year for covered services if you go in-network. The MOOP is basically the worst-case scenario — if you have an expensive illness or accident, you know the MOOP protects you.

Providing individual, couples and family counseling in a safe, comfortable and supportive atmosphere.

Treatment specialization includes:

• Depression and Anxiety 
• Panic Attacks and Phobia
• ADD/ADHD Management and Support
• Bipolar Illness
• Anger Management
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual/Transgender and Sexual Questioning Issues
• Marital and Relationship Problems 
• Parenting and Family Issues
• Grief and Loss
• Addiction and Recovery 
• Life Coaching
• Stress Management 
• Work and Career issues
• Conflict Resolution

Why do people seek therapy?

People come into therapy for many reasons. Some need to respond to unexpected changes in their lives, while others seek self-exploration and personal growth. When coping skills are overwhelmed by guilt, doubt, anxiety, or despair, therapy can help. Therapy can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping for issues such as depression, anxiety, lack of confidence, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, bereavement, spiritual conflicts, stress management, body image issues, and creative blocks. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives.

What can I expect in a therapy session?

During sessions you are expected to talk about the primary concerns and issues in your life. Dependant upon what those concerns and issues are will determine the course of the work we will do together. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is generally active work and the various techniques and methods used in treatment, at times may include homework assignments, daily practice, reading a particular book or direct challenges to old patterns and ways of doing things. Client's who who experience the greatest benefit and progress come to each session as active participants, ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work. A session lasts 50 minutes, but some people request longer sessions. Usually weekly sessions are best. Some people who are in crisis or extreme distress need more than one session per week: at least until the crisis passes. During the time between sessions it is beneficial to think about and process what was discussed and what you discovered about yourself. 

What benefits can I expect from working with a therapist?

A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. Often it is helpful just to know that someone understands. Therapy can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem and help you to identify the most successful solutions. Many people find therapy to be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, and the hassles of daily life. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

• Attaining a better understanding of yourself and your personal goals and values
• Developing skills for improving your relationships
• Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
• Find new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
• Managing anger, depression, and other emotional pressures
• Improving communications skills - learn how to listen to others, and have others listen to you
• Getting "unstuck" from unhealthy patterns - breaking old behaviors and develop new ones
• Discovering new ways to solve problems
• Improving your self-confidence and gain mastery over the ways you experience your life

What if I don't know what my goals are for therapy?
If you aren't sure what your goals are for therapy, your first task is to figure that out. It may take several sessions before a direction is clarified. During the course of therapy your goals may change. However, establishing a direction for therapy will help you get the most out of the experience.

Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?

Yes, provided I am a "designated provider under your insurance plan(check with your insurance company to verify if I am) I accept almost all major insurances.