Choices Mental Health Counseling PLLC expands services to NE Pennsylvania

Choices Mental Health Counseling PLLC, led by licensed mental health and addiction counselor Thomas Rue, is expanding its services into the Keystone State. This expansion will allow residents of Wayne and Pike counties, and others across both the Commonwealth and New York State, to access confidential counseling services either in-person at the Narrowsburg, NY, office (7 Erie Avenue) or through telehealth.

Rue was notified on October 31 of his Pennsylvania license as a professional counselor, now authorizing him to offer private services to people physically located in the commonwealth.

According to the company, the expansion to Pennsylvania will “increase access to mental health care for individuals and families seeking support across state lines.” Previously based in Monticello, New York, Rue moved his practice to Narrowsburg in August 2023. He worked as a psychotherapist and counselor for public and private agencies in New York State from 1987 until entering private practice in 2010. Before 1987, he worked for Wayne County Children and Youth Services in Beach Lake, Pa.

Choices Mental Health Counseling PLLC offers individual psychotherapy generally for those aged 12 and older, group therapy for adults, and couple therapy. Issues may include depression, anxiety, trauma, grief/loss, ADHD, or other mental health concerns, as well as recovery from addiction or alcoholism. Rue noted that for four decades he has collaborated with allied healthcare providers, schools, probation/parole officers, courts, attorneys, child welfare workers, and others, with clients’ consent and consistent with their unique needs and preferences.

“By reaching out to Pennsylvanians, we aim to bridge the gap and offer accessible mental health services across state lines,” Rue said. “Our mission is to ensure that anyone who needs support, whether in New York, Pennsylvania, or elsewhere, has access to compassionate, non-judgmental, person-centered care. Choices Mental Health Counseling celebrates and honors diversity. My office is a safe and supportive space, including for LGBTQIA+ individuals and their allies, where everyone is welcomed and valued, in-person or virtually. I am committed to providing compassionate care tailored to the unique needs of each client,” he added.

Choices Mental Health Counseling accepts Medicare as well as commercial insurance plans, including Aetna Behavioral, Allied Benefit System, Beacon Health Options, Capital District Physicians Health Plan (CDPHP), CIGNA Behavioral, Emblem Health, Anthem and other BCBS affiliates, Fidelis Care NY, Geisinger Health Plan, GHI, HealthFirst NY, Local 1199 SEIU, MVP Healthcare, MagnaCare, Quest Behavioral Health, TRICARE, ValueOptions; and several employee assistance program. Applications are currently pending with the Community Care Behavioral Health (CCBH) managed care and other Pennsylvania health plans.

Self-payment is also accepted.

Rue is a credentialed alcohol and substance abuse counselor (Master CASAC) with the NYS Office of Addiction & Support Services (OASAS) and is also licensed as an LPC in South Carolina, and as an LMHC and masters level addiction professional (MCAP) in Florida. He holds national credentials as a national certified counselor and as a certified clinical mental health counselor with the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), and is a diplomate and clinical mental health specialist in substance abuse and co-occurring disorders counseling with the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), with 40 years’ experience working with children, families, and adults.

As a US DOT-qualified substance abuse professional (SAP), Rue is available to assist holders of commercial driver’s licenses and other safety-sensitive employees regulated by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) who have been removed from the job after testing positive on a federal drug test in order to return to duty after they complete appropriate treatment in the interest of public safety.

Pennsylvania residents may contact Choices Mental Health Counseling PLLC to arrange any of the above-mentioned services by telehealth or by visiting the office in Narrowsburg. New York State based referrals are as welcome as they ever were, Rue emphasized. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact Choices Mental Health Counseling PLLC at 845-513-5002 or email tom@choicesmhc.com.