bluebird counseling

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

I offer a free 15 minute phone consultation in which we can discuss your reason for seeking therapy for your child or teenager and whether therapy could be beneficial for these issues. It is also a time for me to ask you questions to determine if I am the right fit for your child and family. We will then schedule our first appointment.

 

Our first session is an intake session with caregivers/parents without the presence of your child/teenager. I find that it is helpful to give caregivers space to discuss their concerns without seeming like they are placing blame on their child. Once we schedule an intake session, I will email you my paperwork to complete prior to our first session. The intake session will include a discussion of your child’s current issues, their history, and family history. We will collaborate to brainstorm goals for your child and/or family. I will also review my policies and answer any questions you may have.

 

When we first meet at our intake session, I will ask you questions such as:

​

• What symptoms do you see?

  • Ex. Crying, yelling, hitting, kicking

• When did symptoms first start?

  • Ex. Six months ago

• How often do you see symptoms?

  • Ex. Three times per week

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

  • Ex. Outbursts last about 30 minutes or frequent worrying lasts about 1 hour at a time.

 

The second session will be my initial session with your child. I give children and teenagers the option of having their parent join this session or not. In my first session with the child, we get to know each other. I explain my role and we usually start brainstorming some of their own goals that they want to work in in therapy. I find that while children may be nervous the first time they meet me, they are usually excited to come back again. I typically start by meeting weekly with clients for at least the first 6 weeks. When a child/teenager is showing progress that they are able to maintain on their own, we may decide to decrease sessions to every other week or even once per month. It is my goal to support your child and family in any way I can.

​

Do you offer in-person or online sessions?

At this time, I am offering both in-person and online sessions. I find that children do better with in-person sessions because it is easier to engage in play and expressive arts in my office. It is also easier for children to pay attention when they are in the confines of my office. Many teenagers also enjoy in-person sessions, but others prefer online therapy. During our initial free consultation we can discuss which option would be best for your child/teen.

​

How long does my child/teenager need to be in therapy?

Of course this question is impossible for me to answer without knowing what types of issues your child/teen is experiencing. I ask to meet weekly with your child/teen for at least the first 6 weeks of therapy, then sometimes transition to sessions every other week or even once monthly depending on their progress. The average course of treatment lasts about 6 months, but this differs depending on the individual and issues they are facing.

​

Do you accept insurance?

I accept Cigna, Medicaid (Colorado Access), and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). 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.

​