QUESTIONS ?

It's completely normal to feel nervous and/or curious about therapy. Below are some Frequently Asked Questions that will hopefully fill in some of those blanks you have & leave you more at ease with the process. Please reach out via email or submit a form if there is anything else I can help you with.

INSURANCE ?

I do NOT accept insurance. I can provide a Superbill, form that you submit to your insurance company as claim for possible reimbursement. I can not guarantee so please check with them if this is a concern.

WHAT TO EXPECT BEFOREHAND ?

Simple Practice will email you a link to complete forms (demographics, intake, consents, credit card authorization, etc).

Please complete ALL paperwork online prior to the session. The identified client is the minor, parent info goes in the contact section.

Parent and/or child can complete the intake. It provides me some background to explore from.

Then your task is just showing up..for the session & for yourself!

BEST WAY TO CONTACT ME ?

TEXT: regarding scheduling, short responses, time sensitive

EMAIL: questions, concerns, more info, resources

My boundary is that I will not respond to text or email after 10pm! If it's an emergency, please contact 911.

FIRST SESSION ?

Arrive, ring the doorbell for Allison in the waiting room, enter the office, sit on the couch and we chat. First session is just getting to know one another, exploring concerns, reviewing goals, setting a few plans.

You're not locked in if you don't want to be. No pressure. I encourage you to talk to someone after about your level of comfort. If we vibe, great! & you schedule again. If not, no hurt feelings & I can help you to find a good fit.

HOW DO I SCHEDULE ?

Click on the Schedule link above. From there, it will take you to my scheduling calendar that shows the next 8 weeks of availability. Pick a date & time that works best for you & then the system (Simple Practice) will email you a reminder/link/etc. You have complete access & schedule when it works for you!

WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL ?

TEXT me if it's the day of!

I try to be flexible and understanding but do have a 24 hour cancellation policy.

Late cancellations & no-shows will automatically be charged $75. This is necessary because a time commitment is made to you and is held exclusively for you. A late cancel or no-show appointment hurts at least three people: you, me, and another client who could have potentially utilized that time.

You can set up text &/or email reminders to ensure that you have committed the time on your calendar.

HOW LONG DOES THERAPY TAKE ?

The length of time varies depending upon the concerns being addressed, your goals, the frequency of sessions, & the work you do both in session and between sessions.

You have the right to end therapy at any time, & typically you are the one who decides when therapy will end.

I don't determine how often you come but rather encourage you to evaluate and discuss. The longer between sessions, the harder it can initially be to gain skills & make efficient progress.

HOW DO I GET THE MOST OUT OF THERAPY ?

Help me help you! I often encourage you to use your notes section on your phone to keep a list of things you want & need to talk about. Sometimes, as the week progresses, you no longer need to & that's ok. Sometimes, we avoid certain areas that are needed & this list will be a gentle reminder to address it. Then in session, participate, be real & honest, target what you need. When you leave, it's your responsibility to practice what you learn. It’s the work you do outside of our sessions that will help you see your personal growth & change.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TALKING TO YOU OR MY BEST FRIEND OR FAMILY ?

I'm not your parent or your friend. My goal is to teach you new skills, help you gain different perspectives, listen to you without judgment, & help you listen to yourself. Also, therapy is completely confidential. Our conversations stay between us. I don't tell parents or your friends anything that you say to me. If there is a safety concern, I will inform parents but won't do this behind your back. We'll have a conversation about what this looks like if the circumstance arises.

AS A PARENT, HOW CAN I HELP MY CHILD ?

I make it clear to both child & parent that I do not share what they say to anyone. However, parents often do want to know what's going on with their children in sessions. Parents are more than welcome to email me with questions or concerns. My responses back will be about what they are working on, skills or techniques that you can support at home. I do encourage parents & child to bridge that gap at home, opening dialogue to discuss their efforts.