Frequently Asked Questions

The 15-minute consultation is a no-pressure opportunity to speak directly with a therapist before scheduling your first session. You can share a bit about what you’re looking for in therapy, ask questions about the therapist’s approach, and discuss practical details like scheduling, fees, and insurance. This conversation helps ensure a good fit so you can move forward with confidence.

Your first session is a chance to get to know your therapist and talk about what brings you to therapy. You’ll discuss your goals, share relevant background information, and begin exploring what a therapeutic relationship might look like. This is also a good time to ask any questions about the therapy process.

Yes, we offer both! You can choose the setting that works best for you—whether that’s meeting in person at our comfortable and confidential office in Manlius, NY, or connecting virtually from the privacy of your home.

Our office is designed to be a calm, welcoming space where clients of all ages can feel safe, supported, and at ease. For clients who prefer or need remote access, virtual sessions are conducted from secure, professional environments to protect your privacy and ensure a confidential experience. Your comfort and confidentiality are always our top priorities, no matter how you choose to meet with your therapist.

Yes. Midstate Marriage and Family Therapy is proud to be an LGBTQIA+ affirming practice. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for individuals of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions.

Our therapists are trained in culturally responsive and gender-affirming care, and we recognize the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals, couples, and families. Whether you’re exploring identity, navigating transitions, seeking support around relationships, or simply looking for a therapist who affirms who you are—we are here to support you with compassion and respect.

Yes, we work with children and support families in helping their children navigate emotional, behavioral, and social challenges. While therapy can benefit children of many ages, the appropriate starting age varies depending on your child’s developmental stage and needs.

Our therapists are experienced in working with young children, school-aged kids, and adolescents, tailoring approaches to fit each child’s unique personality and situation. If you’re unsure whether therapy is right for your child, we’re happy to discuss your concerns during a consultation to help determine the best path forward.

Yes. We offer individual therapy for teens navigating identity development, social anxiety, family dynamics, and more. Many teens are navigating intense academic pressures—from competitive college preparation and AP coursework to high expectations in sports and extracurriculars. These demands can contribute to anxiety, burnout, and challenges with self-esteem and balance. Our therapists create a safe, respectful space where adolescents can express themselves and build healthy coping skills.

A Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) is a licensed mental health professional trained to support individuals, couples, and families with a wide range of emotional, relational, and behavioral concerns. MFTs are uniquely educated to practice through a systemic, relational lens, which means they consider how your relationships, environment, life experiences, and personal history all influence your mental health.

This approach helps uncover patterns that may be contributing to stress, conflict, or emotional pain—and supports lasting, meaningful change. While the title “Marriage and Family Therapist” may sound like it only applies to couples or families, MFTs are highly qualified to work with individuals of all ages, as well as with couples and family units.

Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, or major life transitions, an MFT can help you navigate it all with empathy, clinical expertise, and a focus on your full lived experience.

We welcome referrals from a wide range of professionals including school counselors, psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, primary care physicians, family advocates, and other mental health providers.

Our therapists work with children, teens, adults, couples, and families. We offer developmentally appropriate care across the lifespan. With appropriate consent, we are happy to collaborate with referring providers to ensure continuity and coordination of care.

You can refer a client by having them reach out directly through our contact form or by calling us at 315-284-5503. If you’d like to connect first or coordinate care, feel free to email us directly at info@midstate-mft.com.

At Midstate Therapy, we work with clinicians at different stages of their professional journey. Here's what each designation means:

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT):

An LMFT is a fully licensed mental health professional who has completed all graduate education, clinical training hours, and passed all required licensing exams. LMFTs can accept insurance and bring years of experience and specialization to their work with individuals, couples, and families. During your consultation, they can help determine whether your insurance plan will cover therapy.

Limited Permit Marriage and Family Therapist:

These therapists have completed a graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and are actively accruing supervised clinical hours to fulfill licensing requirements. They are highly skilled and closely supervised by a licensed clinician. While Limited Permit MFTs cannot bill insurance directly, they can provide a superbill for clients to submit for potential out-of-network reimbursement.

Graduate Student Therapist:

Graduate student therapists are in the final stages of their clinical training and provide therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed professional. They offer high-quality, compassionate care at a reduced rate as part of their hands-on education. Like Limited Permit clinicians, they can provide a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement, but do not accept insurance directly.

Receiving therapy at a clinical training site like Midstate Marriage and Family Therapy offers unique benefits—especially when working with graduate student therapists.

Graduate students are trained in the latest evidence-based approaches and clinical techniques. Because they are immersed in academic learning, supervised training, and often involved in research, they bring fresh insight, curiosity, and dedication to every session. They’re learning what’s working in the field right now—and applying that knowledge with care and intention.

These therapists-in-training are also closely supervised by licensed clinicians, ensuring you receive high-quality, ethical, and supportive care. In addition, they offer sessions at a reduced fee, making therapy more accessible to individuals and families in the community who may otherwise face financial barriers to mental health support.

At its core, therapy with a graduate student is a collaborative, compassionate experience—and a meaningful investment in both your growth and the future of the profession.