Getting Started

We know it can be a challenge to get help dealing with life transitions or with chronic or severe medical or emotional conditions. We also know that we can answer your questions and get you started with the right treatment.

We're Here to Help

APS's offices are located at One Prospect Street, Suites 5-7, in Ridgewood, New Jersey. If you're not sure if APS can help you, please contact us. Whether we're a good fit for your needs or not, we're committed to helping you find appropriate assistance. You can reach us at 201.447.2242 or info@AdvancedPsychologicalSpecialists.com.

Common Starting Points:

Scheduling Your First Appointment

Insurance Information

What to Expect as an Adult

What to Expect as Parents of a Minor Child

Scheduling Your First Appointment

If you would like to schedule an appointment, please call Dr. Nancy Just at 201.447.2242 extension 1. As Director of APS, Dr. Just will gather information about you and your needs to ensure that APS is the right place for you. It is our goal that each person who contacts APS is provided with the best options based on their unique needs, even if that means referring the individual to other professionals and facilities in the community.

If it seems that APS is the right match for you, Dr. Just will discuss with you which APS psychologist has the best skills and training to address your specific goals. She will then arrange for you to speak with that psychologist directly and to schedule your first appointment.

Insurance Information

APS is an out-of-network provider for all insurance companies other than Medicare. We do not contract directly with insurance companies because we find that such arrangements can limit us from providing what we think is best for our clients.

However, we will provide you with all of the paperwork necessary for you to be reimbursed by your insurance company.  We recommend you call your insurance provider prior to your first appointment and ask them for information regarding your out-of network benefits.  Be sure to ask whether your insurance provider requires you to obtain preauthorization before beginning treatment; failure to do so can jeopardize your chances of getting reimbursement. If APS offers a type of treatment or has specialty in an area that is not covered by any in-network providers, you may be able to apply for a “single case exemption” from your insurance company. 

Although we specialize in mental health services, many of the problems we treat are considered “biologically based mental illness”.  Most depressive disorders and anxiety disorders fit into this category.  Therefore, it is possible that your services at APS will be covered at the same out-of-network rate as medical services.  Please check with your insurance provider for additional information.

Adults

What to Expect from Your First Visit
At your first appointment, also referred to as an intake, you will spend approximately 60 minutes with a psychologist who will review your reason(s) for seeking services and discuss relevant background information in order to obtain a more thorough understanding of your needs. This appointment gives us the opportunity to better understand your needs and goals and it gives you the opportunity to get a sense of what it would be like to work with us. Please feel free to ask questions regarding the psychologist's approach to treatment and their experience with working with your particular concerns.

How to Prepare for Intake
There are several things that you can do in advance of the intake appointment to ensure a productive session. One useful way to prepare is to review the intake paperwork found on the right side of this page, and bring the completed forms to the session. If you have any questions regarding our paperwork or policies, please discuss these at the intake with the psychologist. Another thing you can do is to collect any relevant documentation and bring copies to the intake for the psychologist to review. These may include previous evaluations or medical records.

It is important to review your insurance coverage prior to the intake appointment. You can find Insurance Information for APS higher on this page.

Parents of a Minor Child

What to Expect at Your First Visit (For Parents of a Minor Child)
At your first appointment, also referred to as an intake, you will spend approximately 60 minutes with a psychologist who will review your reason(s) for seeking services for your child and discuss relevant background information in order to obtain a more thorough understanding of your child's needs. We ask that parents attend this first appointment without their child so that we have uninterrupted time to candidly discuss your concerns and to review a careful history of your child's development. Areas that may be discussed include the child's medical history and current medical issues, academic performance, social development and family history. Although potentially challenging, if possible we request that both parents attend this first appointment since it is beneficial to get the unique perspective and treatment goals of each parent. Your child will be invited to the next appointment. If you have questions as to how to explain psychotherapy to your child, please discuss this with the psychologist at the intake.

How to Prepare for Intake (For Parents of a Minor Child)
There are several things that parents can do in advance of the intake appointment to ensure a productive session. One useful way to prepare is to review the intake paperwork found on the right side of this page, and bring the completed forms to the session. If you have any questions regarding our paperwork or policies, please discuss these at the intake with the psychologist. Another thing parents can do is to collect any relevant documentation and bring copies to the intake for the psychologist to review. These documents may include report cards, Child Study Team evaluations or private assessments, IEPs, etc. Contact information from any professionals involved with your child, such as pediatricians, school personnel, and other mental health professionals, should be brought to the intake. Since the psychologist will be asking many questions about your child's development and the history of the current problem, some parents may find it helpful to review this information prior to the appointment. This can be done by quickly looking through your child's baby book, old report cards, medical records, etc.

It is important to review your insurance coverage prior to the intake appointment. You can find Insurance Information for APS higher on this page.