AppointmentS

Becoming a Patient

• If you know you want to make an appointment, please complete the Make An Appointment form. You will be scheduled in the order this is received.

• If you would like to speak to a psychologist before making an appointment, please call the receptionist and schedule a brief phone consultation with a psychologist.

Before Your first Meeting

If you are going to use insurance for payment, it is important that you check your benefits. Often, mental health benefits are different from major medical benefits. While we may check your insurance, this is not a guarantee of payment.

Note: If you have BCBS, ODS, TriCare or Kaiser, we are "preferred providers". For all other plans we are "not on their panel". This may make a difference in insurance coverage.

Your first Meeting

• Adults:

  • Please bring a copy of pertinent medical and mental health records.
  • Bring the name, phone number and address of medical and mental health professionals that you would like your psychologist to consult.
• Children, Adolescents & Assessments:

  • If possible, please bring a copy of your child's last few report cards, medical and mental health treatment records for the past few years, and your child's IEP/IFSP (if your child is receiving special academic services).
  • Bring the name, phone number and address of academic, medical and mental health professionals that you would like your psychologist to speak with regarding your child.
  • NOTE Attendance: We ask that active parents (i.e., biological and step-parents) attend the first session. However, we prefer that you do not bring your child with you to this meeting. Children often have a difficult time listening to a review of their difficulties and mistakes. Hence, to respect your child, the first meeting is most productive with only adults in attendance.
When you arrive: You will be greeted by the receptionist. She will call and let your psychologist know you are here. Your psychologist will briefly meet with you and share with you standard intake paperwork. You will also be given questionnaires that will assist in your treatment planning.

treatment sessions

• Clinical Intake: For psychotherapy and behavioral services, your first few meetings will focus on completing the Clinical Intake. A clinical intake often takes several sessions to complete. Your doctor will ask important questions about your life history, medical issues, past treatment, current difficulties and coping/parenting strategies. This information is used to create a Treatment Plan.
• Treatment Plan: After the Clinical Intake is completed, a custom Treatment Plan will be created for you.  This plan is an outline of the specific milestones you wish to reach, the strategies/skills that will be taught and a time line to meet your goals. The Treatment Plan will be reviewed with you verbally and you are encouraged to assist in making changes to the plan. This plan is reviewed throughout treatment, and can be changed to meet your needs as treatment progresses. The plan assists you and your psychologist in making sure that your needs are being addressed.
• Review of Medical Records: Clients often have many questions regarding previous assessments and diagnoses. Your psychologist will review the medical, mental health and academic records you provide, and present you with a comprehensive review of your records. This is useful in gaining an integrated understanding of your skills and difficulties.
• Treatment: Treatment services differ with each person's needs. Treatment strategies differ based on age, developmental ability, identified problem and skill level. You and your psychologist will discuss and agree upon a specific approach to your problem.

hours of service & length of sessions

Session Length: Session lengths vary. Insurance companies allow 30, 60 & 90 minute meetings. They also allow psychological assessment sessions of varying lengths.