DR. ERIC D. HARTMAN
P S Y C H O T H E R A P Y & P S Y C H O A N A L Y S I S
Selecting a therapist who is a good match for you is important, but it can also be a difficult process. I hope you will find my site to be useful as an initial step in your search. In the sections that follow, I have shared information about my education and training background, research interests, treatment approaches, and the kinds of services I offer. I have also included a FAQ section to answer many of the logistical and administrative questions that come up about starting therapy.
Nothing beats a face-to-face meeting to find out what it would be like to work together. I welcome the opportunity to meet with you to speak about your goals, and so I offer the first consultation session free of charge. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please call me at: (212) 643-0861.
Eric D. Hartman, DSW, LCSW-R
ABOUT
As a clinician, I work with individuals and couples in short- and long-term psychotherapy. I have over a decade of experience helping people who have anxiety, depression, compulsive behaviors, and problems relating to work stress, relationships, and self-esteem. In addition, I have specialized training and knowledge in sexuality and gender issues. My clinical education began at New York University where I earned a Master of Social Work degree, followed by a seven-year post-graduate training in psychoanalysis and psychotherapy. After attaining my certification in psychotherapy, I completed a program for advanced practitioners at Rutgers University, earning my Doctorate in Social Work with a clinical concentration. My research interests include the study of dissociation, embodied perception, and the phenomenology of non-normative gender and sexuality. I am fully licensed by the state of New York to independently practice psychotherapy and psychoanalysis.
My clinical approach integrates knowledge and training in psychoanalysis, cognitive-behavioral interventions, trauma studies, and clinical hypnosis. I believe evidence shows that the mind is too complex to be understood through one-dimensional models of therapeutic action, but rather we need to approach change from many different directions. By understanding how psychological symptoms and dysfunctional behaviors may serve important protective functions in your life, we can work together to construct healthier ways for you to live, love, and relate in the world. Beyond symptom reduction, therapy can be an in-depth discovery process leading to a fuller sense of self-awareness and an enhanced capacity to author new life experience. This process involves assisting patients to recognize and know the many parts of themselves, the varied layers of meaning in each moment, and the multitude of possibilities that exist within each of us.
As an experienced clinician, I find that a strong alliance between therapist and patient allows for a more productive and rewarding therapeutic experience. For that reason, my approach is both compassionate and collaborative. I encourage freedom of thought and mutual curiosity so that we can safely explore issues together, while monitoring the shame reactions that too often overwhelm the process of self-reflection. I work actively in the here and now, paying close attention to the moment-to-moment shifts of the mind and how these shifts connect to events in both the present and the past. I believe this process of examination opens the door to change.
New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-R)
Doctor of Social Work, Rutgers University, School of Social Work
Master of Social Work, New York University, Silver School of Social Work
Certificate in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Study Center
American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work
Association for the Advancement of Philosophy and Psychiatry
Clinical Social Work Association
International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy
SERVICES
INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY & PSYCHOANALYSIS
Psychotherapy, or “talk therapy” as it is sometimes called, is for individuals seeking help with a wide variety of issues. Goals of treatment may include reducing symptoms, modifying behaviors, and/or achieving specific life goals. The length of treatment depends on the individual and the desired goals of therapy. Sessions are 45 minutes in length and occur once or twice a week. Although not entirely different from psychotherapy, psychoanalysis is for individuals seeking a more in-depth understanding of themselves and/or relief from more persistent, entrenched symptoms. Psychoanalysis generally involves a higher frequency of sessions than psychotherapy and longer-term commitment to treatment. My approach includes an emphasis on the interpersonal dynamics of the patient alongside the traditional developmental and intra-psychic exploration. Sessions are 45 minutes in length and occur three to five times a week.
SUBSTANCE &
ADDICTION
TREATMENT
Drugs, alcohol, sex, and other behaviors can become problematic for some people and deadly to others. My approach is to assess the level of dependence and dysfunction caused by the substance use or addictive behavior and to understand its role in the patient’s life. Abstinence, though sometimes necessary, is not always possible with certain behaviors, and so my goal is to help the patient determine the options that cause the least amount of harm while learning healthier behaviors over time. Sessions are 45 minutes in length and occur one to three times a week.
COUPLES
COUNSELING
Couples seek counseling for many reasons, including communication problems, sexual issues, and disagreements about relationship and life goals. I work with couples to improve the framework of their relationship by teaching more progressive communication skills and fostering mutual recognition of each partner’s needs. Couples sessions are 60 minutes in length and generally occur once a week.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do you offer a free consultation?
Yes. I offer an in-person or video consultation at no cost to discuss your treatment goals and how we could work together.
Do you accept insurance?
I do not accept any payments directly from insurance companies. Although I am not in network with any plans, my services are reimbursable for out of network benefits from most plans (check with your carrier to determine if you have out of network benefits). I will be happy to assist with eligibility procedures and provide necessary statements for reimbursement; however it is the patient’s responsibility to pay for sessions out of pocket and submit claims to the insurance company.
What are your fees?
My rates for all services range from $240 to $300, depending on the length of the session and time of day. I accept cash, checks, credit cards, and health savings account debit cards.
When can I see you for an appointment?
I offer morning, daytime, and evening appointments throughout the week, depending on availability. Sessions are available Monday through Friday.
What is your policy on missed appointments?
I ask that 24 hour notice be provided for all scheduling changes, including cancellations. Less than 24 hour notice will result in the charge of the full session rate.
Where is your office located and how can I get there?
My office is located at 244 5th Avenue between 27th and 28th Streets. The closest subway stops are the 28th Street Station of the R/W line (at Broadway) or 28th Street Station of the 6 Train (at Park Avenue). It is also short walk to 34th Street/Herald Square subway (BDMFQNR), PATH trains, and Penn Station (123 Amtrak, NJ Transit).
Will my information be confidential?
I will protect your private information to the fullest extent of the law. Mental health and substance treatment are specially protected by federal and state laws prohibiting providers from disclosing health information without the patient’s explicit written consent. The only exceptions to these protections are when there is suspected child abuse or neglect or when the patient threatens serious physical harm to self or others in which case every effort is made, including notifying authorities, to ensure the safety of those affected as required by law.