Sorry about that, not too familiar with other practices nearby but it may just be normal for the area. I have only done the hydrafacial once and it was a treat. You may have to go into the city or other parts around it for better prices.

I will say this is the most expensive place I have lived when it comes to aesthetic services (and in general). I haven’t really invested too much time into finding my go-to places for my massages, mani/pedis, or waxing since moving here because I know it’s not going to be in a range I’m willing to pay. Even my salon is too much.

I have only gotten a hydrafacial and it was around $265. It’s as expected for this area. I haven’t gotten or inquired about any other procedures as I don’t have anti-aging skin goals. You can see if pricing is available on their website. They have a site in Stamford. https://nicholsmdskinlab.com

Dr. Nichols has a team comprised of nurses and PAs so I believe anyone who goes there will be in good hands. I’ve only her, her PA, and an esthetician to create a skincare plan.

Check out Dr. Nichols in Greenwich. I only get facials but they’re great.

While I emphasize with providers not wanting to deal with insurance companies, it alienates whole groups of people like us. I made a post and calculated I had to essentially shell out $1000/mo at least to get the same amount of care I get now. I am not struggling but that’s money I could put elsewhere.

As a person with ADHD, I am not eligible to receive stimulant medication. They do not prescribe it and telepsychiatry is in hot water due to over-diagnosis and prescribing for ADHD. It’s hard out here.

I forgot to ask if you tried calling your insurance for help (they can send a list) or going on Psychology Today to search for providers?

I don’t have recommendations, sadly. It took us (husband and me) six months to find a therapist and they are not in the area. You may have some luck in Darien or Norwalk but they didn’t give me good vibes. We wanted an in-person therapist but no one who has the expertise we needed took insurance. We also do not have psychiatrists which makes managing our ADHD challenging.

Many mental health professionals out here are self-pay and only provide super bills. However, my work does not provide health insurance that has out-of-network coverage. Check with Aetna to see if they do.

My therapist is in Farmington (70 miles away). She’s great but I miss the in-person third place that comes with therapy. Sucks to do it in my office but it is what it is. I hope that the telehealth coverage that comes with the public health emergency.

I hope the comments here prove to be more helpful.

It was in the Darien/Norwalk area (near the shopping center with the Kohl’s and Old Navy) at 8 PM. But I also see it in both main roads and highways. The car also just looked damaged so I suspect negligent drivers. It just boggles my mind that people simply don’t turn on their lights automatically at night, like putting on a seatbelt. In older cars, the dash doesn’t even light up. :S

I’ll give that a try, hopefully folks are receptive of that! I do think you’re right though, one of the people I flashed my lights to was exhibiting signs of distracted driving after I did it so sometimes it feels like negligence rather than a slip up.

Dang, even at a stop light? What a bummer. Any other way to go about it or should I just let it be?

It’s more common in CT that landlords pay realtors commissions, not renters. If they’re doing it anyway, it’s at no cost to me to work with realtors. Some take commissions from renters equal to one month’s rent but they’re up front about it on their websites. It’s a good way for me to make connections with someone as well when we decide where to buy a home in the next 2-3 years.

I don’t know if it is the most common thing but definitely out there. We found one when we were moving here but she wasn’t very present. However, someone we met had a more positive experience. They can be helpful and view places for you when you can’t or pull from their own pool of rentals.

Apparently, it is not common to pay commissions In the state of Connecticut. Those two you mentioned are the few that take them. I have been told by actual realtors in the state that the landlord pays them the commission. I’ve seen on this sub and heard from friends in the area that prospective renters and buyers do not commonly pay commissions. So do with that info what you will.

We decided to use a realtor who didn’t take commissions but they don’t have the same listings as those who do. It may be more competitive that way and things go fast in this area when they’re affordable. Hopefully you find someone who is on it.

Just leaves a bad taste in my mouth honestly. I’m lucky to have insurance through my employer but I opted for lower deductible insurance with no out-of-network coverage since we go so often. I wouldn’t have done that if I knew what it was like here. I’m spending weeks searching for and getting in with specialists, especially mental health professionals.

I am able to work in a demanding field because of my insurance and able to take charge of my life with a strong healthcare team. Paying $1200 each or more a month isn’t feasible, even when we make $160k as a couple. It’s made me reconsider whether we want to buy a home and settle here if we have to essentially pay out the nose for care.

I checked there and they actually don’t accept insurance, they just provide a super bill. My insurance doesn’t do that for out-of-network providers. https://www.indigowellnessgroup.com/faq

It makes me wonder what folks are doing who don’t have that kind of cash on hand week to week. I know sliding scales exist but those are limited. It just seems unbalanced and unlike anything I’ve seen before. Thank god for telehealth, my therapist is in Farmington but it sucks to take that space away from someone who was more local and needed it.

I found one but tysm!

I sympathize and understand that managing insurance can be challenging. That doesn’t make it any less frustrating when you’re looking for care. I don’t have out-of-network coverage so I’m super limited and the ratio of these types of providers seem unbalanced. I have lived across the country in both populated and lower populated areas and have never seen anything like this before. Even my small surburban hometown had a doctor folks traveled across the country to see and he took insurance. shrug

While those are viable options, I should be able to find quality care in my own community. Going into the city isn’t always convenient when I have to work full-time. It would be great to go right after work or during lunch. Again, it’s not that they don’t exist in Stamford, they just do not take insurance.

Fortunately, I found a physical therapist no problem after seeing an orthopedic surgeon at HSS. They have an awesome sports rehab. But even the doctors there said that it can be hard to fir PTs who take insurance. For a separate issue, I was specifically looking for a pelvic floor therapist and they were all self-pay. I looked for weeks and gave up. I have to go to Norwalk and had to have my orthopedic doctor find them for me.

General PT may not be so tricky but for specialties like pelvic floor physical therapists, psychiatrists with subspecialties, and MHP, no dice. I’ve never seen anything like this in other places I’ve lived.

I have to be honest, we settled on Stamford because Westchester was totally inaccessible. Especially White Plains. Maybe it was harder the past summer or we didn’t look hard enough though. Scarsdale, Port Chester, Yonkers, etc may be a bit better but not by much.

Not in Stamford but Westport. I love Nana at Greg and Tony’s Ouidad salon.

I have the same hair texture and length as you (corkscrew curls) and she taught me all the things about my hair and managed it so well. It was pricy but I got a lot done since I hadn’t gotten a hair cut in over a year. It was $225 for scalp scrub, clarifying treatment, shampoo, 30-min deep conditioner under a dryer, and a trim.

I like the Ouidad method over Devacurl. It was less choppy and I didn’t need to come in with my hair washed and dried already. Nana did a great job walking me through everything. Plus there’s less controversy and pushy sales people at this salon, just good vibes.

A men’s cut is $55 and she isn’t hard to get in with. You can schedule your appointment yourself online and they’ll call if there’s any issues. It’s 20 mins away from Glenbrook without traffic.