That Seems Important

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Dr. Ventresca treats adults (18+) of all genders, sexual orientations, and identities. Notably, she is only accepting individual (one-on-one) therapy patients at this time.

  • Dr. Ventresca views therapy as a vehicle for change. She meets patients with empathy, understanding, and genuine respect for both the strength and the vulnerability involved in “doing” therapy.

    Dr. Ventresca invites you to explore your thoughts and emotions from a place of curiosity. As legend has it, Freud’s “couch” reflected a similar philosophy, encouraging patients to relax and speak freely, without the pressure of eye contact.

    Her approach is present and collaborative, welcoming feedback—what’s working, what’s not—to help patients achieve their therapeutic goals.

  • Dr. Ventresca practices as a generalist across a broad range of behavioral health concerns.

    Issues Treated: Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Loneliness, Grief & Loss, Adjustment (Major Life Transitions), Trauma, Anger Management, Coping Skills, Addictions (Substance Use, Gambling, Gaming, Shopping, Food, Social Media, Sex), Smoking Cessation, Impulse Control & Self-Regulation, Sexual Health, Sleep & Insomnia, Burnout, Quality of Life & Life Satisfaction, Life-Altering Illness, End-of-Life Planning, Bereavement, Couples & Family Dynamics, Attachment & Intimacy, Resentment, Effective Communication, Dysfunctional Relationship Patterns, Conflict Resolution, Abuse & Victim Advocacy, Boundary Setting, Self-Worth, Identity, Personal & Professional Development, Emotional Intelligence, Leadership, Performance Pressure & Optimization, Perfectionism, Time Management, ADHD & Executive Functioning.

  • Online therapy (teletherapy, telepsychology) falls under the umbrella of telehealth. According to the American Psychological Association, it is the delivery of psychological services through telecommunications technology, promoting access to and continuity of care.

  • No. Psychopharmacology falls under the purview of psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners, rather than psychologists. However, Dr. Ventresca may consult with your prescriber to ensure care is coordinated and not fragmented.

  • Patients understandably ask this question a lot—in deference to their deepest darkest secrets, their greatest fears and insecurities. Dr. Ventresca prioritizes Your Rights Under HIPAA and takes stringent measures to safeguard your privacy and confidentiality. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) establishes federal standards to protect your personal health information. However, certain exceptions apply for safety and legal reasons, such as incidents of abuse, court orders, and threats of harm to self or others. Dr. Ventresca will review these limits of confidentiality with you from the outset and uphold the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct throughout therapy.

  • If for any reason you need to cancel or reschedule, please provide at least 48 hours’ notice to avoid being charged. The full session fee is automatically processed on the day of your scheduled session, regardless of notice, lateness, or attendance. Documented emergencies may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

  • Dr. Ventresca believes in placing the person, rather than the diagnosis, at the heart of treatment. Independence from insurance panels allows for person-centered care—without compromise—so insurance cannot dictate treatment. This autonomy further protects your privacy and confidentiality by eliminating the need for external disclosure of protected health information, such as diagnostic codes and therapy notes. While insurance is also governed by HIPAA, your information is circulated among multiple third parties for claims processing. With self-pay, your information stays solely between you and Dr. Ventresca.

  • If you feel at imminent risk of harm to yourself or others, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.

    Ventresca Psychology & Wellness is not a crisis service. For confidential crisis support, available 24/7:

    Help is available—and help works.

    Supplemental Resources:

What Inspires This Work?

The Voice Behind the Practice

A woman with shoulder-length dark hair smiling in an urban setting with blurred buildings and city street in the background.

“This field is a natural progression of who I am. I’m curious. I ask questions. And I love to talk to people. I’m innately drawn to people’s narratives, especially the ones that feel most painful, most private, most taboo, most deeply human, yet devoid of permission to exist. Some stories ache in silence until they’re really heard. And expertly rewritten.”

—Alicia R. Ventresca, PsyD