FAQs

Should my child see a therapist?

Like many parents, you may be wondering if your child’s behavior is “normal” or developmentally appropriate and how you can help your child. As a parent, it can be tough to decide when exactly it’s time to reach out for help for your child. Perhaps you are concerned that your child is different from their peers, or you have noticed a change in their emotions or behavior. Maybe you are wondering if they are “going through a phase.” There is no cookie-cutter checklist to help you decide if your child needs therapy. As a general rule, I advise parents that it is definitely worth considering if the issue is “getting in the way of life.” For a child, this may mean difficulty at home, with siblings, at school, with friends, or in the community. Perhaps your child is responding to a particular event or stressor, or perhaps they are just “wired” this way. In either case, if your gut is telling you they may benefit from talking to a mental health professional, please call me for a complementary 15 minute consultation. We will talk it out.

What will therapy look and feel like for my child?

Therapeutic intervention will depend on your child’s individual needs, goals, strengths, and preferences. The paramount goal is to keep your child feeling comfortable during the process. Both child-led and therapist directed interventions may be employed to help improve your child’s social emotional well-being. This may include playing with toys, doing art projects, writing and reading stories, creating puppet shows, or doing psychoeducational workbooks. Your child will never be expected to sit in a chair and talk for 45 minutes like an adult client may. Instead, they will have fun, learn, form relationships and make memories. It will probably not “feel like” therapy, but the benefit that comes from the therapeutic relationship is immeasurable…and your child may very well ask you when they are coming back to see me.

Who will be involved in my child’s therapy?

You know your child best; I am most effective through collaborating with you. I welcome your feedback and involvement. My ability to discuss exactly what your child is sharing may be impacted by the limitations of confidentiality. However, you will receive consistent feedback about your child’s progress, as well as receive input regarding how best to support your child.

In addition, I am available to periodically collaborate with any outside service providers your child may have a relationship with. This may include school personnel, pediatricians, behavioral therapists, or others you may give me permission to speak to about your child.

Do you accept insurance?

Play It ForWords Therapy is a small, independent, private practice that is an out of network provider for insurance companies. We are a “fee for service” practice, which means payment is due at time of services. For insurance providers to cover mental health services, your child has to have a documented mental health diagnosis. I am qualified to offer such a diagnosis if indicated. If your provider offers out of network coverage and if your child has a documented mental health diagnosis, you may be able to receive reimbursement for child psychotherapy. I can share more about how this works and provide you with the necessary documentation (a “superbill”) to submit your insurance company should you choose to utilize out of network coverage.

Some parents of young children do not prefer their child to have a diagnosis recorded. Private pay therapy is an option for parents who prefer not to utilize insurance benefits.

Submitting for out of network reimbursement through my insurance company can be a hassle. Is there anything that can make it easier?

Play It ForWords Therapy has partnered with Reimbursify for you to easily submit your claims for out-of-network health insurance reimbursement from your smartphone.  Download the app and get your first claim free!

What are your session fees, and what forms of payment do you accept?

Individual 45 minute session and intake fees are $200. Group session fees are $65 or $75 each. We can discuss how parent consultation will be integrated into your child’s treatment. Play It ForWords Therapy dedicates a limited number of reduced fee slots to support accessibility to quality child mental health care. Please inquire if your finances impact your ability to access services.

I accept cash, check, and credit cards which are processed through IvyPay. IvyPay is a HIPAA secured payment system used by therapists. I will not have access to your private card data. You may also be able to utilize your Flex Plan or Health Savings Account.

Play It ForWords Therapy is a small practice with a limited number of available appointments. Please understand that making an appointment is committing to one; as such, a cancellation fee of up to $100 will be charged for appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice, except in the case of a documented emergency.