bluebird counseling

How do I initiate therapy and what should I expect when we first talk?

I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation where we can discuss your reason for seeking therapy—whether it’s for yourself, your child, or your teenager—and explore whether therapy could be beneficial. This is also a time for me to ask questions to determine if I’m the right fit for you or your family. After our call, we can schedule our first appointment.

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For adult clients, our first session is a standard intake session. We’ll review your current challenges, personal history, and goals for therapy. I’ll also explain my approach, review my policies, and answer any questions you have.

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For children and teenagers, the first session typically begins with caregivers/parents only. This creates a space for parents to discuss their worries openly, without the child feeling judged. After scheduling, I’ll email paperwork to complete prior to the session. During the intake, we discuss your child or teen’s current issues, their history, and family history. We collaborate to brainstorm therapy goals for the child and/or family.

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What do we discuss in the intake session?

For children/teens, I may ask questions such as:

• What symptoms do you see? (e.g., crying, yelling, hitting, worrying)

• When did symptoms first start? (e.g., six months ago)

• How often do symptoms occur? (e.g., three times per week)

• How long do symptoms last, and how long does it take for your child to return to a calm state?

 

For adults, we focus on your current challenges, patterns, and goals, as well as any history of trauma, anxiety, OCD, or other mental health concerns.

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What happens after the intake session?

• For children/teens, the second session is usually with the child, with parents joining only if desired. We get to know each other, discuss the child’s goals, and begin building strategies to best support your child.

• For adults, therapy begins immediately after the intake session, focusing on your goals and strategies to provide short and long-term relief.

 

I typically meet weekly with clients—children, teens, and adults—for at least the first 6 weeks. Once progress is being made, sessions may be spaced every other week or monthly, depending on needs. My goal is to support you or your family in a way that fits your life.

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Do you offer in-person or online sessions?
I offer both in-person and online sessions. Children often benefit from in-person sessions for play and expressive activities, while teens and adults may prefer online therapy for convenience and comfort. During the initial consultation, we’ll discuss which option would work best for you or your child/teen.

 

How long will therapy last?
The length of therapy varies depending on the client and the challenges they’re facing. For children and teens, I usually begin with weekly sessions for at least 6 weeks, then adjust based on progress. Adults often follow a similar pattern. The average course of treatment is about 6 months, though it can be shorter or longer depending on individual goals and needs.

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Do you accept insurance?

I am an in-network provider for Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Colorado, Carelon Behavioral Health, Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), Cigna, Medicaid (Colorado Access), and Quest Behavioral Health. If I do not accept your private health insurance plan, I am happy to provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement. I encourage you to contact your insurance company to confirm that they reimburse for out-of-network mental health services.

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