FAQ

How do I know if my child or family needs therapy?

There are times when a child has so many symptoms that it impacts their daily functioning in the areas of school, home, and/or social life.  Sometimes there is a problem that is too demanding to deal with in the family setting; therapy is a neutral setting that allows the space to address these issues.  In other situations, there are painful emotions that cannot be expressed appropriately in the family unit (yelling, fighting, or shutting down) and too much conflict to resolve on your own.  If you feel like you have given it your “all” at home or have run out of solutions, therapy may be an option for your child and family.
 
How would I know if my child needs a psychological evaluation?

Psychological evaluations generally seek to answer a referral question. Often times the question to be answered is: what is wrong with my child? Psychological evaluations assess various levels of functioning, such as intellectual, academic, concentration and attention, social, emotional (mood and anxiety), behavioral (noncompliance, conduct), etc. Sometimes clients are referred for a psychological evaluation when their behavior, attention, and/or hyperactivity problems have become a severe issue. Often times teachers notice a child’s behavioral issues — “he/she is constantly getting up from his seat,” “he/she is disrupting other students,” “he/she is not finishing their work on time” etc. Unfortunately, the reason that the child/teen is having issues at school and/or home is not always obvious. The issues may stem from depression, anxiety, learning issues, behavioral problems, or another factor. Psychological evaluations seek to “tease out” the root of the issue to help the further development a treatment plan of “what to do next” to help your child/teen. Psychological reports can also be helpful to access certain accommodations in the school setting if so needed.
 
How can therapy help me and my child?

A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues which are negatively impacting you and your child’s daily functioning.  Therapy can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you and your child obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

  • Attaining a better understanding of your child, yourself, your goals and values
  • Developing skills for improving your child’s relationships
  • Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy for your child
  • Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
  • Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
  • Improving communications and listening skills
  • Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
  • Discovering new ways to solve problems
  • Improving your child’s self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
How long does therapy take?

In your first session, there will be a discussion regarding your treatment concerns, expectations, and the course of therapy. The therapy process is a collaborative process where the therapist and the client (or family) will work together with treatment goals and interventions. Therapy sessions usually last 30-60 minutes (depending on the age of the child/adolescent). The duration of therapy varies per client, with some clients utilizing brief therapy (8-12 sessions), while others may benefit from several months of sessions. Typically, clients are seen once a week at the beginning of treatment. Sessions may continue at once a week or go to an every other week schedule depending on the needs of the client/family. Pre-planned “booster” sessions can also be conducted after the presenting problem has been resolved to maintain treatment success.
 
Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and therapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist’s office.   Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone.  This is called “Informed Consent”.  Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your physician, naturopath, attorney), but by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.  However, state law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:

* Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.

* If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threated to harm another person.
 
What insurances do you accept?

The office accepts clients from all insurance companies, as well as self-pay clients. Please contact the office for more information on the insurance companies that we are considered in-network. If you have an insurance that we are not in-network for, you will be required to pay the appropriate self-pay fees, and we will be happy to provide an invoice with the appropriate information for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Additionally, you can call your insurance carrier and check your coverage for psychological services carefully. Some helpful questions you can ask them:
 

  • What are my mental health benefits?
  • What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
  • How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
  • How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
  • Is approval required from my primary care physician?

 
What should I bring to the first session?

In the first session, you will need to bring a photo identification (can include a military ID), along with your insurance card (if you are using insurance), and the new client forms completed (also on this website). Additionally, please feel free bring any questions you may have about the therapy process to the first session.   Additional documentation on previous psychological treatment, individualized education plans (IEP), and relevant medical treatment documentation is also beneficial to give a complete picture of the presenting problem and history. The first session is designed for your therapist to gather some background information, review your expectations for treatment, discuss your mental health needs and concerns, as well as complete paperwork related to the therapy process.
 
What methods of payment do you currently accept?

The office currently accepts cash, VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.