Frequently Asked Questions

  • We offer a free 20-minute phone consultation so that you can meet with one of our therapists and see if it is a good fit.

    It never feels quite comfortable talking to someone during a phone consult. You’re reaching out to talk about what is distressing you.

    But, could you imagine talking a little bit more, does it feel like a person who can hear you and help you develop a therapeutic relationship that will serve you best.

  • Our therapists are experienced clinicians with a broad range of advanced clinical training including psychoanalysis, relational therapy, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, emotionally focused, trauma-informed, and Gottman method, among others. In founding The Keely Group, Erin McMaugh Tierno’s desire was to offer a psychoanalytically-oriented, depth-focused style of therapy to some of the busiest people out there, driven, ambitious New Yorkers. This style of therapy is designed to help you know yourself deeply so as to give you the opportunity to have real agency in creating the life you want to live. You will learn to start noticing your own patterns and behaviors, and will grow the capacity to engage in your life in a way that is conscious and intentional, rather than driven by unknown, unhelpful (and often untrue) messages you internalized years ago. Our goal is to help you to develop a way of thinking and operating in the world that really takes into consideration all parts of you, all of your varied layers, and to teach you how to make the lasting changes necessary to live a conscious, engaged, fulfilled life.

  • After a rigorous interview process, The Keely Group hires only outstanding, experienced, licensed clinicians with a sophisticated approach to providing psychotherapy. Keely Group therapists engage in consistent continuing education, participate in regular clinical supervision, and, probably most importantly, love their work. We support our therapists by providing cutting-edge technology, a livable wage, access to working with phenomenal patients, and as many benefits as we possibly can. Our therapists are truly the heart of our practice and we are proud of the team we have cultivated. Learn more about our clinicians and see who resonates with you.

  • Everywhere! For your convenience, our practice has been conducted exclusively online since 2016, via HIPAA-compliant videoconference. Whether you are stuck at work for a crucial deadline, traveling to a business meeting in Denver or Denmark, or coping with a global pandemic, all that is required to get to our office is a reliable internet connection and, if you prefer additional privacy, a set of miked headphones. Our team includes clinicians who are licensed to practice in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Colorado…so, if you call any of these states home, we are able to work together.

  • Virtual therapy can be a phenomenal way to make time and space for support, self-exploration, understanding, and growth. It has been shown to have similar outcomes, in terms of patient satisfaction and self-reported growth, as in-person treatment. That said, online therapy is not for everyone. If you have been diagnosed with a major mental illness such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, severe major depressive disorder, or panic disorder, then seeking treatment with an in-person treatment team is recommended when possible. Additionally, if you are navigating significant alcohol or substance abuse, then online therapy is not likely to be the right level of care. Most importantly, if you experiencing suicidal thoughts, you should call 911 or seek immediate care with your nearest emergency department and continue in follow-up care with a local, in-person therapist.

    *Please note that due to the pandemic many mental health treatment options have transitioned temporarily to virtual services with the intent to resume in-person services when feasible. Our practice has been conducted exclusively online since 2016 and we will not be transitioning to in-person sessions. *

  • These can be great options. They are affordable and easy to access. Things to keep in mind are that these platforms can have a high clinician turnover rate, which might mean you have to cycle through several therapists, and these platforms are usually designed for shorter-term, directed problem-solving, not necessarily for deep, introspective work. Also, both Talkspace and BetterHelp have had information in their fine print at one time or another that states sessions through their service are not a substitute for treatment with a licensed mental health professional, and that they do not verify the skills or licensure of the "counselors" provided by their platforms. These commercial platforms might be just the right option for your needs, but if you are looking for deeper, ongoing work with the same licensed therapist, these might not be the best choice for you.

  • We offer a free 20-minute phone consultation. Ongoing individual sessions are 45-minutes each. Couples' sessions are 60-minutes.

  • Many patients meet with their therapist once every week. In some circumstances, patients meet with their therapist twice or three times per week. You will talk with your therapist about what frequency works best for your specific circumstances, however it is important to understand that meeting weekly, at minimum, is a vital part of successful treatment and is our standard of care. The consistency of a weekly session contributes to the development of a therapeutic relationship that is secure, and fosters the feeling of safety and trust that will allow you to work on a deeper, more effective level with your therapist. At this time, we are not accepting new patients who are unable to commit to a weekly session.

  • Great question. While many therapists (and infomercials) promise rapid results in as little as 6-weeks time, we are not interested in offering you a false magic wand. While finally having a safe space to express and process everything you’re experiencing may help you to feel somewhat better pretty quickly, the process of deeply knowing your true self and the patterns that deter you from really engaging in your life in the ways you long for takes time. It takes time for you and your therapist to get to know each other, to build a relationship, to build trust, to peel back the layers (gently, but in a way that challenges you to take the risks necessary to grow), and to develop and implement strategies for lasting change. That said, you can work together with your therapist for as long as you experience your time together as a space for continued growth. Part of the work will be to talk about what that will mean for you.

  • The clinicians at The Keely Group help dynamic, intelligent, driven people who are struggling to translate their academic or career success into relationship or personal life success, and vice versa. Does your personal life or career (or both) look great on paper but you feel like something is missing? We can help.

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Schedule a free consult and start learning more about you, as you are.