FAQs
How do we get started?
Getting started is as easy as calling or emailing. We will have a brief introductory conversation about your needs and determine if I am a “good fit” to be your therapist. If you decide you’d like to move forward, we will schedule an initial appointment.
How long are sessions?
Typically, sessions are 50-55 minutes. In some situations, 30-minute or 90-minute sessions may be appropriate and will be discussed.
What should I expect in a first session?
First sessions can look several different ways, depending on the needs and preferences of your child and family. Often one or both parents will join their child for at least the first part of an initial session. This can be beneficial for several reasons, including establishing rapport and comfort as we get to know each other, and so we can all begin on the same page. In some cases, particularly with adolescents, they may feel more comfortable meeting with me individually, and I will then connect with the parents in a follow-up conversation. By the end of a first session, we will establish some initial treatment goals and a plan for moving forward.
How often will we meet?
The short answer is, “it depends.” Every situation is unique, and we will develop a treatment plan based on your specific needs and goals. Typically, sessions occur more frequently at the beginning of therapy and then less frequently as progress occurs. The process is flexible, and I will work with you to make a therapy schedule that allows me to provide you with the highest quality care and makes sense for you and your family.
Is therapy covered by my insurance?
Will I get feedback about my child’s therapy?
In Pennsylvania, children 14 and older are entitled to confidentiality in therapy. There are certain situations involving safety concerns when confidentiality is broken and parents are provided with essential information. Therapy’s effectiveness relies on it being a safe space where clients feel comfortable speaking freely about private thoughts and feelings. This can sometimes be difficult for parents. Please know that I will always share my general impressions with you and give you a sense of how therapy is progressing. If your child is younger, you may be more directly involved in therapy and receive more specific feedback, although confidentiality remains an important pillar of good treatment even for younger children.
Will I be involved in my child’s therapy?
Every situation and every family is unique. Your level of involvement in your child’s therapy will depend on the concerns that bring your child into treatment, the goals that are established, and the current dynamics of the situation. I make every effort to include parents when clinically appropriate. Even if you are not directly involved in your child’s sessions, your support of the therapy process is invaluable. You can be enormously helpful to your child by encouraging them, speaking positively about therapy, respecting their privacy if they ask for it, reinforcing positive efforts you observe at home, and celebrating their hard work.
Other questions?
Please feel free to call or email with any other questions.