What is the process to get started?

Once I hear from you, I will send you an email as soon as I get your contact form, and I will try to give you a call as soon as I can. In the consultation call, I’ll ask some questions to see if the issue you’d like help with is within my scope of practice. You’ll be able to ask me questions about who I am as a therapist and human, my approach, training, anything you want to know. If it’s a good fit, we’ll talk through next steps, insurance, and intake paperwork tasks.

In the first few sessions, we’ll focus on assessment; if you’re using insurance, I’ll complete what’s called a Diagnostic Assessment. If you do not want a diagnosis and are not using insurance, we’ll do a general assessment of history, current functioning, and factors impacting the presenting problem. We’ll work together to create a treatment plan that will guide work going forward.

If we’re doing Theraplay, the Assessment process will involve additional sessions.

Are you a Registered Play Therapist?

I am in the process of getting those RPT letters by my name, Earning the RPT credential involves at least 150 hours of play therapy training/classes, at least 350 hours of direct play therapy practice (which I’ve exceed, by a lot), and at least 35 hours of clinical supervision. I’m about 2/3 of the way through the required training and supervision. I have completed certification as a Foundational Theraplay Practitioner, and I am continuing my training in the Theraplay certification program.

What if my child is in school and you don’t have any after school appointments available?

After school spots are in high demand. I maintain attendance requirements for these spots.

Most current after school clients started with daytime appointments. As after school appointments become available, I offer those spots to current daytime clients before new clients.

How often will we meet?

We will make a specific plan for you as part of the assessment process, so the following is general information.

For teens, individual adults, and couples, I often recommend that we meet weekly for the first 1-2 months, and then we can step down to biweekly if desired; those first 2 months help us build momentum and set you up for progress.

Typically, I recommend that children under 12 attend weekly sessions for the first 2-3 months of therapy; this frequency helps build necessary rapport and momentum toward change. If appropriate, we can reduce frequency to biweekly after the first few months.

How long will I be in therapy?

The duration of therapy varies based on individual circumstances. Some folks need a few sessions to just work on a specific issue; some folks benefit from long-term therapy. We’ll discuss this during the intake, assessment, and treatment planning process.

What should I expect in Theraplay sessions?

Parents are an essential part of Theraplay sessions— you will be more involved than in many other types of therapy. Wear comfortable clothes that you can move in. We’ll chat ahead of time about any physical restrictions or chronic pain you have so we can make sure you’re comfortable. Depending on your physical comfort, we will sit on the floor or couch, and we may stand up for more active games. In the first phase of Theraplay, the therapist will typically interact directly with child and over time as you learn the structure and approach in Theraplay, we’ll transfer to child and parent playing directly; I will guid you through this process. You can expect that some parts of Theraplay could feel new or challenging, and we’ll use parent sessions to process what’s going on.