Perinatal mental health therapy covered by Northwell Direct
+9 moreNo commitment. We'll confirm your coverage before your first session.
Using your Northwell Direct benefits
Phoenix Health is in-network with Northwell Direct in New York. Northwell Direct is not an insurance company in the usual sense — it is a direct-to-employer network built by Northwell Health, which means your employer contracts with it and your cost-sharing is set by that employer's plan rather than by a national carrier's standard schedule. What stays constant is that we bill the plan directly, so you do not pay us up front and wait for reimbursement. Our PMH-C certified therapists treat postpartum depression, perinatal anxiety, birth trauma, and pregnancy loss, and they work exclusively in perinatal mental health. New York's parity and telehealth parity laws apply to Northwell Direct plans, so a video session is covered on the same terms as an in-person one. Because employer plans differ from one another more than commercial plans do, verifying your specific benefit matters more here than usual — we check your copay, deductible, and any prior authorization requirement before your first session, at no charge. Sessions are FSA and HSA eligible.
Does Northwell Direct cover therapy for this?
Insurance covers therapy when it treats a diagnosed mental health condition, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders qualify. Under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, a Northwell Direct plan cannot apply stricter visit limits or higher cost-sharing to behavioral health than it applies to comparable medical care. What the plan will not do is pay for sessions billed with no diagnosis at all, which is why your first session includes an assessment.
Phoenix Health is in-network with Northwell Direct in New York, so we bill the plan directly and you pay only your copay or coinsurance. Northwell Direct is a direct-to-employer network rather than an insurance company, so your cost-sharing is set by the employer plan that uses it. In practice outpatient therapy bills as a specialist visit at a copay after your deductible. New York's parity and telehealth parity laws apply, so a video session is covered on the same terms as an in-person visit.
Checking it yourself: Call the behavioral health number on the back of your card and ask three questions: is this provider in-network for outpatient behavioral health, what is my specialist copay, and has my deductible been met? We do this verification for you before your first session at no charge.
Your card might say any of these — all of them are Northwell Direct:
âś“ In-network coverage
Your benefits apply directly — no superbills or out-of-network claims.
âś“ Benefits verified upfront
We confirm your copay and deductible before your first session, at no charge.
âś“ Telehealth covered
Your plan covers virtual sessions at the same rate as in-person specialist visits.
Dr. Emily Guarnotta
Psychologist & Founder
From our founder
When I had my first child, I was shocked by the challenges I faced as a new mother.
Like so many women, the shame of postpartum depression and anxiety kept me silent for nearly two years. When I began working with postpartum clients, I was struck by how many stories were so similar to my own.
I founded Phoenix Health to make it easier for new mothers like me to find the right help.
Our specialists who accept Northwell Direct
Most Phoenix Health therapists hold PMH-C certification — the gold standard in perinatal mental health.
Golda Fleischman
LMSW · Licensed therapist
A birth doula before she was a therapist, she helps you prepare for a birth or process a hard one.
Licensed in NY
Amanda Flowers
LPC, PMH-C · Licensed therapist
Works with perinatal OCD and neurodivergence, using body-based tools to calm the nervous system.
Licensed in TX, MT
Lyndsay Ward
LCSW, PMH-C · Licensed therapist
An attachment theory expert who helps you unpack how your childhood shows up in your parenting.
Licensed in NY
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Natalia Cruz Navarro
EspañolLCSW · Licensed therapist
12+ years with families through high-risk pregnancies, fetal diagnoses, and NICU stays.
Licensed in CA
Stories that may sound familiar
These are examples, not client reviews. We don't publish our clients' words. What's said in therapy stays there.
“My emergency C-section left me with nightmares and panic attacks. I couldn't talk about the birth without shaking. Therapy helped me process the trauma and reclaim my story. I'm pregnant again now, and I actually feel ready.”
“I had intrusive thoughts that terrified me. I was too ashamed to tell anyone, even my partner. My therapist explained postpartum OCD and helped me understand I wasn't dangerous. The intrusive thoughts are 90% gone now. I wish I'd reached out sooner.”
“After three failed IVF rounds, I was told to just stay positive. My therapist was the first person who acknowledged the grief, the anger, and the exhaustion, and helped me process what I had been through. I finally felt seen.”
In-network with
Northwell Direct.
Most clients pay less than $20 per session.
Accepted Insurance Networks
Your rights under federal parity law
Under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), your insurer cannot impose more restrictive limits on mental health coverage than on comparable medical or surgical benefits.
See full coverage map →Ready to book? Here’s how it works.
The whole process takes about 5 minutes. We handle insurance — you just show up.
- 1
Book your free call
A quick 15-minute chat to hear what you're going through, answer your questions, and make sure we're a great fit for your needs. No cost, no commitment.
- 2
Get matched
We'll pair you with the right specialist for your specific situation. We'll also check your insurance, so you know your exact cost per session before moving forward.
- 3
Start your first session
Meet your therapist from the comfort of home. No commute, no waiting rooms, no judgment. Most clients notice a real difference within just 2 to 3 sessions.
No commitment · Most insurance accepted · Available this week
Common questions
- Insurance covers therapy when it treats a diagnosed mental health condition, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders qualify. Under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, a Northwell Direct plan cannot apply stricter visit limits or higher cost-sharing to behavioral health than it applies to comparable medical care. What the plan will not do is pay for sessions billed with no diagnosis at all, which is why your first session includes an assessment. Phoenix Health is in-network with Northwell Direct in New York, so we bill the plan directly and you pay only your copay or coinsurance. Northwell Direct is a direct-to-employer network rather than an insurance company, so your cost-sharing is set by the employer plan that uses it. In practice outpatient therapy bills as a specialist visit at a copay after your deductible. New York's parity and telehealth parity laws apply, so a video session is covered on the same terms as an in-person visit.
- PMH-C (Perinatal Mental Health Certification) is awarded by Postpartum Support International (PSI) to clinicians who have completed advanced training in perinatal mental health — covering postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, birth trauma, and related conditions. It represents the gold standard of specialization in this field.
- If you're struggling — with your mood, your thoughts, your relationship, or just how you're coping — that's enough of a reason to talk to someone. You don't need a diagnosis. A free consultation is a low-commitment first step.
Trusted by leading voices in parenting and mental health
OBs, doulas, and pediatricians refer their patients to us because we specialize in maternal mental health.
The sooner you start,
the sooner you'll
feel like yourself again.
You've been surviving. It's time to start healing.
No commitment · Covered by insurance · Available this week