About Michael Ash
I am an experienced, dedicated and caring therapist devoted to helping the individual and family through challenges.
I believe each of us has the ability to feel joy and to accept life's twists and turns with grace and serenity.
Education & Certifications
M-CASAC Master Certified Alcohol Substance Abuse Counselor
LCSW-R Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Certified Christian Counselor
Impaired Driver Program Provider
NASW EAP Provider
Ceridian EAP Provider
Early Intervention Certification
Ehrenkrantz School of Social Work, New York University
Post Masters Certification – Treatment of Alcohol and Substance-Abusing Clients
Fordham University, Graduate School of Social Work
Seminar in Field Instruction (SIFI)
National Association of Social Workers
ACSW Certification
Hunter College, School of Social Work
Masters of Science in Social Work (MSW), Major in Administration/Case Work
The College of New Rochelle
Bachelor of Clinical Arts in Psychology
Memberships
Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups, Inc.
National Association of Social Workers
Clinicians Networks of the National Basketball Association (NBA), National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) and
Player Assistance Anti-Drug Program
My Treatment Orientation
- Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
- Emotional-Focused
- Family/Marital
- Family Systems
- Interpersonal
- Motivational Interviewing
- Play Therapy
- Relational Therapy
- Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
- Trauma-Focused
Biography
Mr. Ash is a seasoned and highly-accomplished private practitioner with two thriving office locations in Shirley, Long Island and downtown Brooklyn, New York. He is a New York State Department of Education Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-R), New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), Master Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (M-CASAC), Certified Christian Counselor and Impaired Driving Program Provider.
His specialty area is working with the forensic mentally ill substance abuse population, as well as, with those who face life-threatening diseases and/or social issues including inadequate housing, unemployment, disability, mental health, and substance abuse. Mr. Ash assists families that have serious domestic conflicts, including those involving child or spousal abuse.
Mr. Michael Ash is a seasoned and highly accomplished private practitioner with two thriving private practice office sites; one in Shirley, Long Island and downtown Brooklyn, New York. He is a New York State Department of Education Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-R) New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Master Counselor (M-CASAC) and Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), Certified Christian Counselor and Certified Impaired Driving Program Provider. His specialty areas are working with the Forensic Mentally Ill Substance Abuse population as well as with those who face life-threatening diseases and or social issues including inadequate housing, trauma, abuse, unemployment, disability, mental health and substance abuse. Mr. Ash is adept and proficient at assisting families that have serious domestic conflicts, sometimes involving child or spousal abuse.
He functioned as the Senior Associate Director of the General Care Social Work Department at Kings County Hospital Center within the New York City Health & Hospitals Corporation. He leveraged his knowledge of Social Services policies and procedures to provide exemplary oversight of services that lead to optimal patient care. He consistently demonstrated the ability to capitalize on his comprehension of current standards of care, combined with extensive experience in providing management of patient-focused services. He has a keen ability to immediately recognize and recommend solutions for serious operational issues that lead to costly delays in safe discharges to the community.
Mr. Ash began work as a Child, Adolescent & Family Psychotherapist at the Institute for Community Living in Brooklyn, New York. For nine years he facilitated various counseling modalities including Play Therapy & Cognitive Behavior Therapy while encouraging family members to partake in Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused Therapy. He performed intake assessments of children, adolescents, and adults while doing marriage counseling for families referred to the institute by other agencies for stabilization in acute crisis or with chronic pathology, diagnosing their symptoms according to the DSM Manual while determining the stage of change.
In 2003, Mr. Ash Michael became Director of the Brad H. Discharge Planning Program for New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene at Riker’s Island. He was recruited to build and train the infrastructure for the pioneering court mandated, “Brad H Discharge Planning Program,” and coordinated discharge planning services for mentally ill substance abusing inmates with chronic comorbid medical issues connecting them to community-based services. He was also tasked with establishing the policies and procedures to maximize the programs’ impact on the clients. He managed an 80-person multi-disciplinary team responsible for discharging 1,300 inmates per month, around the clock each day, from 13 facilities across New York City, with full accountability for appraisals, discipline and other personnel matters.
Mr. Ash trained and supervised staff at the staff at Brooklyn Community Housing & Services (BCHS) as he functioned in the capacity of Clinical Consultant from 2006 to 2014. Through his realignment of this front-line agency, he instituted policies to strengthen BCHS’s administration and operational functionality, removing hindrances contributing to the lowest one-year audit rating, pushing the agency to the highest audit rating in three years.
Mr. Ash has adopted a philosophy revolving around the belief that if we reduce disparities between institutional cultural norms and the patient’s belief systems, we will improve the patient experience. The patient engagement dynamic is essential while communication, performance and follow up are tools that he uses to ensure a continuum of care while proving optimal services. When trust and respect are coupled with the ambition to acquire a deeper knowledge and understanding of culture; we can achieve increased patient satisfaction. Mr. Ash’s views his greatest accomplishments as being the ongoing work he does at Kings County Hospital Center working on Lean Projects (Breakthrough/ Rapid Improvement Event) that reduced waste, improve the quality of services and increase the likelihood of successful, healthy outcomes.
FAQs & Insurance
Listed below are some answers to some common questions.
If you have further questions or concerns please call us at (646) 480-6011 and we will be happy to discuss treatment options.
All major health insurance plans are accepted by Michael Ash LCSW-R, M-CASAC, PLLC. This includes Medicaid.
Please remember that you must also choose a plan to provide the Medicaid benefits to you - the list of plans we accept is below. We don't accept what is known as "Straight Medicaid.” However, it is easy to get a plan - you just choose one and call them and let them know that you have Medicaid but need a managed care plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
In-Network
If your insurance plan is listed below, you should ask about In-Network benefits, meaning that we are part of that insurance’s "network" of providers.
Out of Network
If your insurance is not on the list below, (or listed as “out-of-network only” you should be asking about Out-of-Network benefits (more on Out-of-Network below).
Terms You Need to Know - *Don't worry if you’re still unclear, we'll help explain the numbers for you once you have them!
Allowed Amount: the amount your insurance deems acceptable for Mental Health Office Visits (this varies by insurance). We charge $150 for the initial session, and $100 for the subsequent sessions, however, each insurance determines how much of our fee they are willing to pay. That is the “allowed amount.” For most in-network insurances, it is a flat fee, and we write off the remainder. For many out-of-network insurances, it is a percentage. This is an important number to know if you have a deductible because this is the amount you will pay per session. For most in-network plans, we already know the amount.
Deductible: this is the amount you have to pay before the insurance will start paying anything. If you have a deductible, you should also ask how much of it you have left. Your fee will be tied to the contracted rate or “allowed amount” your insurance sets for our services. This varies greatly between insurance. After you have paid your deductible, sometimes you have a Co-pay or Co-insurance that you have to pay from then on (see below).
Co-Pay: flat fee that you must pay per appointment or Co-insurance (a percentage of the total fee or “allowed amount” that you must pay per appointment).
Effective Date: the date your insurance became active.
Re-Certification Date: mark this on your calendar so that you know when you need to submit paperwork to re-certify.
Primary Insurance: just to make sure that you're not mistakenly listed under another insurance, for example, your previous insurance, your parent's insurance, your partner's insurance, etc.
In-Network Plans
We accept all types of the plans below, including Medicaid, Medicare, ACA, and private plans. We do not accept “straight” Medicaid (that is, Medicaid or Medicare without a Plan). If you have Medicaid/Medicare without a plan, you should call them right away and choose a plan. Here is the list of plans that we accept.
Please complete your insurance details when contacting us, so we can verify your benefits.
Out-of-Network Benefits
If you have Out-of-Network benefits, your payment is due at the time of service, however, we're happy to file all your claims with your insurance company for you as a courtesy. Sometimes insurances will actually pay us directly, in which case, you're only responsible for whatever deductible, co-pay, or co-insurance is applicable. If you have a deductible, your fee will be based on your insurance’s “allowed amount.”
Take The First Step Towards Achieving Your Goals
Regardless of whom you are or what you believe, life is a challenge. Michael Ash LCSW-R, M-CASAC, PLLC supports you as you overcome these challenges.
