Frequently Asked Questions
ALL CLIENTS
What do I need to bring to my first visit? Please bring your insurance card, a method of payment (if applicable), and any previous evaluation results that may be relevant.
What can I expect at my first visit? During the first visit intake paperwork will be filled out, copies of insurance cards will be made, policies will be explained, and information about the reason for the visit will be collected. Following the first visit, a treatment plan will be created that includes the client's goals for therapy and steps that will be taken to reach those goals.
How long do sessions last? A typical session lasts approximately 45 minutes.
What is cognitive behavioral therapy? Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an approach that examines the link between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Treatment is a goal oriented and collaborative approach where the therapist works with the client to recognize and correct maladaptive thought processes. CBT is an active intervention and clients can expect small "homework" assignments to complete between sessions.
ADOLESCENT CLIENTS
I have concerns about what is said during a session with an minor client and confidentiality. How is this handled? Virginia statutes specify rules for releasing information to the legal parent/guardian of a minor child. Forms based on those put out by The Center for Ethical Practice will be discussed and filled out at the initial visit. For that reason, parents are requested to accompany their teenager to the first visit, even if they can drive themselves.
YOUNGER CHILDREN (ages 5-12)
I am seeking help for my young child, what can I expect during the first visit? Many children do very well with therapy from the beginning. The first couple of visits can be anxiety inducing for others, even when every effort is made to ease their fears and explain the therapy process to them. It is not uncommon to see behaviors from the child that are atypical for that child. Examples include "showing off", talking in a "baby" voice, hiding their face, clinging to the parent/guardian, fidgeting, bouncing up and down, and not wanting to talk or talking excessively. It is best to ignore these behaviors. They typically go away once the child is more comfortable with the therapist.
Do I stay with my child the whole time? Depending on parent/guardian and child comfort level, after the first couple of visits, parents typically come into the therapy room at the beginning to review the child's progress and to communicate any concerns. The parent/guardian then leaves and returns toward the end of the session to discuss the session and to review "homework" given to work on between sessions.
How is a session structured? Depending on the child's needs, age, and attention span, therapy with young children is done through a combination of strategic game play, art, and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. Often, a notebook is utilized to track session topics, to aid communication, and to monitor progress.
What do I need to bring to my first visit? Please bring your insurance card, a method of payment (if applicable), and any previous evaluation results that may be relevant.
What can I expect at my first visit? During the first visit intake paperwork will be filled out, copies of insurance cards will be made, policies will be explained, and information about the reason for the visit will be collected. Following the first visit, a treatment plan will be created that includes the client's goals for therapy and steps that will be taken to reach those goals.
How long do sessions last? A typical session lasts approximately 45 minutes.
What is cognitive behavioral therapy? Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an approach that examines the link between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Treatment is a goal oriented and collaborative approach where the therapist works with the client to recognize and correct maladaptive thought processes. CBT is an active intervention and clients can expect small "homework" assignments to complete between sessions.
ADOLESCENT CLIENTS
I have concerns about what is said during a session with an minor client and confidentiality. How is this handled? Virginia statutes specify rules for releasing information to the legal parent/guardian of a minor child. Forms based on those put out by The Center for Ethical Practice will be discussed and filled out at the initial visit. For that reason, parents are requested to accompany their teenager to the first visit, even if they can drive themselves.
YOUNGER CHILDREN (ages 5-12)
I am seeking help for my young child, what can I expect during the first visit? Many children do very well with therapy from the beginning. The first couple of visits can be anxiety inducing for others, even when every effort is made to ease their fears and explain the therapy process to them. It is not uncommon to see behaviors from the child that are atypical for that child. Examples include "showing off", talking in a "baby" voice, hiding their face, clinging to the parent/guardian, fidgeting, bouncing up and down, and not wanting to talk or talking excessively. It is best to ignore these behaviors. They typically go away once the child is more comfortable with the therapist.
Do I stay with my child the whole time? Depending on parent/guardian and child comfort level, after the first couple of visits, parents typically come into the therapy room at the beginning to review the child's progress and to communicate any concerns. The parent/guardian then leaves and returns toward the end of the session to discuss the session and to review "homework" given to work on between sessions.
How is a session structured? Depending on the child's needs, age, and attention span, therapy with young children is done through a combination of strategic game play, art, and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. Often, a notebook is utilized to track session topics, to aid communication, and to monitor progress.