Please select one of the links above for education and training opportunities.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions.

Who does the therapy at SPOP?
Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) provide individual counseling and lead group counseling sessions.  Evaluation and medication management are provided by a Psychiatrist or Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. All of our clinicians have exceptional training and most have years of experience working with older adults and addressing their special needs. 

How long are the sessions?
Individual therapy sessions conducted by a Social Worker are typically 45 to 50  minutes but will be individually determined with your  therapist.  Group sessions are an hour or an hour and a half.  Sessions with a Psychiatrist or Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner for assistance with medication are generally brief.

In what languages does SPOP provide services?
English and Spanish.

Who is psychotherapy appropriate for?  Who is it not appropriate for?
Psychotherapy helps people with a broad range of problems and severity, from feeling depressed or anxious to having difficulty adjusting to age-related issues. You should consider counseling at SPOP if you want to talk about your problem and can make a commitment to meeting weekly with a Social Worker, either individually or in a group. 

If you only need help with social service benefits, entitlements, housing, or similar issues, you can contact our Peer Advocate Program by email or by calling 212-787-7120 ext. 514.  Your local senior center might also be able to provide you with assistance.

What is the catchment area? If I live on the East side, what services am I eligible for? If I live outside Manhattan, what services am I eligible for?
SPOP is able to serve most people who can travel to our main locations on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.  For home visits or services at other locations, our catchment area depends on the help that you need, so please call our Intake Worker at 212-787-7120 ext. 514 for specific information. 

What insurances does SPOP accept?
SPOP accepts Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance.

SPOP is in-network for GHI, HealthFirst, HIP, Oxford, and any insurance plan where mental health care is managed by ValueOptions.  We are able to accept any Managed Medicaid Plan that “carves out” mental health care and bills it directly to “straight Medicaid.” Right now, this includes ABC and VNS, and others.

Coverage by any of the above insurers varies according to the service provided and the provisions of the specific plan. 

Before making any decision on a health insurance plan, you should speak to an insurance counselor for guidance.  

Does SPOP provide case management or arrange for concrete services?  Where can people go for case management or entitlement counseling?
Individuals who are receiving mental health counseling at SPOP can receive assistance with concrete services. If you need a lot of assistance with services, your Social Worker will link you to an organization that specializes in case management and that works closely with SPOP.

What kind of activities does the Adult Day Center offer?  What is a typical day like?
The Adult Day Center day begins around 9:00 a..m. when participants arrive and are greeted by a staff member.  Breakfast is served from 9:30 a..m. to 10:30 a.m., and daily activities begin after breakfast. While each day is different, a typical day starts with Morning Welcome followed by a choice of activities such as music therapy, art classes, active games, mental aerobics, exercise, yoga, healthy aging, and dance movement therapy. Additional group activities include entertainment and informational lectures on various topics. Participants can also go on weekly group trips that include museums, parks, movies, performances, boat rides and senior dances.  A snack and hot lunch are also served.  The day ends with relaxation activities, entertainment and discussion groups. 
 
For more details on activities click to view the Adult Day Center’s weekly schedule and this month’s special events or call This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   at 212-787-7120 ext. 140 for information. 

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