4 NYC United Healthcare Therapists Ready for Hire
Finding a therapist who takes your insurance can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack—especially in New York City.
You deserve accessible, quality therapy that doesn't break the bank, but navigating insurance networks while finding the right therapeutic fit can be overwhelming.
At New York City Psychotherapy Collective, we believe everyone should have access to culturally competent, evidence-based therapy, whether you want to use your insurance benefits or pay out of pocket.
Here, we introduce you to four of our expert therapists who are in-network with United Healthcare so you can find the perfect match for your specific needs and goals.
Meet the therapists
Best for college students & young adults: Julia Laplaza
Best for trauma survivors: Laina Mason
Best for anxiety & self-esteem: Allie Soss
Best for couples, relationship issues, & sexuality: Lily Ostler
Why trust us?
Our clinicians are trained in evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, and specialized modalities like Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). We combine clinical excellence with genuine cultural competence, understanding that effective therapy requires both specialized skills and a therapeutic relationship that feels safe and authentic. Plus, unlike many other therapy practices in New York, we’re in-network with several major insurance companies to make getting care as accessible as possible.
How we selected
Here, we’ve highlighted our therapists who are in-network with United Healthcare so you can use your benefits to pay for therapy. Beyond that, our clinicians have comprehensive training in multiple evidence-based therapeutic modalities, have diverse specialties and cultural competencies, and work with a range of populations and identities. Our goal is to connect you with a United Healthcare therapist who not only accepts your insurance but truly understands your specific challenges, whether you're navigating anxiety, relationships, life transitions, trauma, or something else entirely.
Meet the therapists
Julia Laplaza
Best for college students & young adults
Key logistics:
Accepts United Healthcare ✓
Clientele: College students & young adults
Location: New York City, NY
Virtual therapy?: Yes
Julia utilizes approaches like CBT and psychodynamic therapy to help young adults gain confidence and feel "unstuck." As a bilingual Latinx therapist, she understands the unique pressures from family, work, and society in general, so she’s passionate about creating a warm therapeutic environment where you can be your most authentic self.
| Good fit for: | Not a fit for: |
|---|---|
| Life transitions | Children & teens |
| Latinx | Couples therapy |
| Therapy in Spanish | In-person sessions |
Laina Mason
Best for trauma survivors
Key logistics:
Accepts United Healthcare ✓
Clientele: Adults
Location: New York City, NY
Virtual therapy?: Yes
With over 15 years of experience, Laina creates a safe space for healing using IFS, Trauma-Focused CBT, and DBT. Her intersectional feminist approach helps clients understand their experiences, process trauma, and build meaningful connections with themselves and others through evidence-based, relationally-focused therapy.
| Good fit for: | Not a fit for: |
|---|---|
| Sexual trauma | In-person sessions |
| EMDR | LGBTQIA+ individuals |
| Perinatal, postpartum, & parenting | LGBTQIA+ couples |
Allie Soss
Best for anxiety & self-esteem
Key logistics:
Accepts United Healthcare ✓
Clientele: Adults
Location: New York City, NY
Virtual therapy?: Yes
Allie combines CBT and Person-Centered Therapy to help adults overcome negative self-talk and build lasting coping skills. Her collaborative approach focuses on creating a safe, empathetic environment where you can develop greater self-awareness, improve relationships, and build confidence in your daily life.
| Good fit for: | Not a fit for: |
|---|---|
| Overthinking & negative self-talk | Couples therapy |
| Social anxiety | Family therapy |
| Adults | In-person sessions |
Lily Ostler
Best for couples, relationship issues, & sexuality
Key logistics:
Accepts United Healthcare ✓
Clientele: Adults
Location: New York City, NY
Virtual therapy?: Yes
Allie combines CBT and Person-Centered Therapy to help adults overcome negative self-talk and build lasting coping skills. Her collaborative approach focuses on creating a safe, empathetic environment where you can develop greater self-awareness, improve relationships, and build confidence in your daily life.
| Good fit for: | Not a fit for: |
|---|---|
| LGBTQIA+ individuals & couples | Discernment counseling |
| Gottman method | Polycules |
| Sex therapy for individuals & couples | In-person sessions |
FAQs
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All of our featured therapists are in-network providers with United Healthcare, meaning you'll pay significantly less than out-of-network rates. We accept most United Healthcare plans, though coverage details vary by plan, so we recommend verifying your specific benefits before your first session.
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Most plans, including United Healthcare plans, don't have strict session limits for outpatient therapy. However, coverage depends on medical necessity, which involves receiving a diagnosis. You and your therapist will discuss this directly and make a plan that works for your needs, goals, and insurance coverage.
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As in-network providers, you'll typically pay your plan's standard copay or coinsurance for therapy sessions. This is usually significantly lower than out-of-network costs. Copays commonly range from $20-50 per session, but this varies by your specific plan—especially if you have a high-deductible plan. We'll verify your exact costs during the consultation process.
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Unfortunately, most insurance plans, including United Healthcare, don't cover couples therapy since it's considered relationship counseling rather than treatment for a mental health diagnosis. However, couples therapy is often worth the investment. We offer competitive self-pay rates and can discuss payment options during your consultation.
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Our therapists use evidence-based approaches tailored to your specific needs and goals. You'll start with an intake session to discuss your concerns and treatment preferences, then work collaboratively with your therapist to develop coping skills, gain insight, and create lasting change. Sessions are typically weekly and last 45-50 minutes.
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We offer free consultation calls where we’ll discuss what brings you to therapy, share more information about our approach, and answer any questions you might have. During this call, we’ll get a sense of whether we’re the right fit for each other. If so, we’ll set up your first appointment. If not, we're happy to provide referrals to other qualified providers.
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Start by filling out this brief online form. We’ll be in touch within one business day to set up your initial consultation. From here, we’ll make a plan together for moving forward.
Start working with a United Healthcare therapist in NYC today
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