Frequently Asked Questions about Child and Teen Therapy

As a parent, will I be involved in my child’s therapy?

It is always recommended that parents be involved in their child’s treatment. The level of involvement will depend on the child’s age, developmental functioning, and reason for referral. For children 0-5 years old, parents may be asked to attend sessions with their child to provide hands-on, in-the-moment interventions. Children who exhibit more externalizing behaviors (e.g., noncompliance, tantrums, aggression, etc.) may benefit from increased parent involvement so that parents can learn skills to reduce these behaviors. For children who are older than 5 years old and who do not have externalizing behaviors, parent involvement may include brief check-ins between sessions, or collateral calls on an as-needed basis.

How do I explain therapy to my child or teenager?

The words you use to describe therapy to your child will depend on your child’s age and developmental state. For younger children, therapy can be described as going to a “feelings doctor” where they can share about their feelings or learn ways to solve different problems. For older children or teenagers, you can share that a therapy is their own private space to explore and better understand their feelings and experiences. If there is a specific reason your child is coming to therapy, it may be appropriate to disclose that to your child. The more that therapy is discussed in an open manner, the less likely it is that your child will feel shame or associate negative stigmas. I will help guide your explanation of therapy to your child based on their age, needs, and reason for coming to therapy.

Will you be sharing what my child or teenager discloses in their therapy sessions?

In order to maintain the trust and safety that is required for effective therapy, the content of your child’s sessions remain confidential unless your child expresses issues that may affect their safety. Rather than sharing the specific content of therapy sessions, I will provide parents with general information about what your child is working towards in therapy, and what can be done to further support your child in your home setting.

How long does therapy last?

There is no concrete answer to this question as the duration of therapy is different for each individual. At the beginning of treatment, I will collaborate with you and your child in creating treatment goals, and therapy will end when we believe these treatment goals have been achieved.

How much does therapy cost?

Typically, my fee per session is $215. Parent sessions that are 20 minutes or less are free of charge, and parent sessions that are over 20 minutes will be prorated to the nearest quarter-hour. However, I believe that all children should have access to therapeutic services, which is why I offer therapy at a reduced rate for a limited number of clients. If you are not able to afford my full fee, you can ask for sliding scale fee options.

Do you accept insurance?

I do not accept insurance due to the limitations it can place on the duration and type of treatment I am able to offer. Instead, I can provide you with a monthly invoice or “superbill” which you are able to submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement. This can help offset the out-of-pocket cost of therapy.